Jim Lazaruk drew on his personal achievement in sport to create an exemplary approach to coaching which has had far reaching impacts on both young athletes and sport programs. Jim played football for the University of Alberta Golden Bears, winning the Canadian Interuniversity Sport (CIS) Vanier Cup Championship in 1972.

Coach Laz was instrumental in the introduction of high school football at Salisbury Composite High School and was the first head coach in 1974, leading the team from just one win in its first season to the finals of the city championships in its second season. For his achievements, he received the Alberta Amateur Football Association Coach of the Year award in 1975.

Jim joined the Edmonton Wildcats of the Prairie Junior Football Conference as an Assistant Coach (1973-75) and Head Coach (1976-78), winning the Canadian National Junior Football League Championship in 1977. He received the Norm Kimball Football Coach of the Year award (1977) and the Prairie Junior Football Conference Coach of the Year award (1978).

Jim was Assistant Coach for the Golden Bears Football team (1979-82) and Head Coach from 1983-85; the team won the Vanier Cup in 1980. He was named the Western Intercollegiate Football League CIS Coach of the Year (1983).

At the same time, Coach Laz turned his coaching talents to basketball as co-coach of the Salisbury Composite High School Senior Boys team (1973-75). He moved on to coach the Senior Girls team (1976-2004), building a powerhouse program, from which many athletes moved on to post-secondary teams. The team advanced to the Alberta High School 4A Girls Provincial Championship Final four times and won the Championship in 1987.

Coach Laz served as Head Coach of the Grant MacEwan Griffins Women’s Basketball team (2006-09) and Assistant Coach (2005-06, 2011-14). During this time, the program moved from the Alberta College Athletic Conference to the Canada West Conference of the CIS, raising its level of competition. He was named the Alberta College Athletic Conference Coach of the Year in 2008 and 2009.

Coach Laz received the Dr. R.G. Glassford Award in recognition of superior coaching and outstanding contribution to the University of Alberta Athletics Program (2003-2004) and will be inducted into the University of Alberta Sports Hall of Fame in 2017.

Through Jim’s 42 years as a coach, he has embodied respect -- for the game, the players, the officials, parents, opposing coaches and their teams. Through his leadership, he instilled in his athletes the drive and desire to perform at their best and to be better athletes, students and people.

Phyllis Sadoway’s involvement in ringette began when her own daughters started playing the game in 1982. She has coached all age groups and divisions, provincial teams and national teams. Phyllis coached the Polar Bears European Touring Team (2013 & 2014) and was the Head Coach of the Edmonton WAM! of the National Ringette League (2007-09) and Assistant Coach (2012-13). The WAM! won silver at the League Championships in 2008.

Phyllis was an Assistant Coach on Canadian teams that won the World Ringette Championships in 1996 and again in 2002. She was inducted into the Ringette Canada Hall of Fame when these two World Championship Teams were inducted in 2010. Phyllis was also inducted individually as a coach in 2012.

Phyllis has been head coach of the USA National Team since 2004; the team won three bronze medals at the World Championships under her guidance (2004, 2010, 2013).

Phyllis has facilitated Ringette Technical Coaching Courses since 1994 and is currently a Master Learning Facilitator and Evaluator for ringette workshops for coaches of all levels. She has been a Ringette Master Course Conductor Practical Evaluator as part of the National Coaching Certification Program for Level 3 Ringette Programs since 1996. Phyllis has facilitated workshops on coaching and player development across Canada and internationally.

At the provincial level, Phyllis was a member of the Ringette Alberta Board (1997-2001). She was a member of the Ringette Alberta Cup organizing committee, delivering an athlete and coach development program for four years (2005-08). 

On the national level, Phyllis has had significant roles in athlete and coach development, chairing and serving on committees for many years and as a member of the Board of Ringette Canada. She was also the Chair of the Coach Development Committee (2007-11).

In 2014, Phyllis was inducted into the Alberta Sports Hall of Fame and has received multiple awards including:

• Alberta Coach Developer – Sport Recognition Award (2013),
• Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal (2012),
• Alberta Centennial Salute for Sport and Recreation Award (2005), and  
• Ringette Alberta Awards (2003, 2005).

Over the last 35 years, Phyllis has had a significant impact on ringette, working to improve it through developing athletes and coaches, writing resources and giving athletes opportunities to play. In addition to her service to ringette, Phyllis still plays the game herself, on a Fort Saskatchewan team in the Northern Alberta Women’s Ringette Association. She reflects that the best part of her journey was that her husband, Richard (Dick) Sadoway, assisted her every step of the way.

Jack Bond began wrestling at the age of 12 with the Strathcona Wrestling Club. By the age of 23, he had become one of the most decorated Canadian amateur wrestlers, winning a record number of national and international awards.

Jack won over 20 provincial championship medals and received Alberta Amateur Wrestling Association Outstanding Athlete Awards for five years (2004, 2006-2009).

Jack won 17 Canadian championship medals, winning gold in every age group in which he competed, in both the Freestyle and Greco-Roman disciplines.

Jack won two gold medals at the Pan American International Championships, wrestling Freestyle as a Cadet in Chile (2005), and wrestling Freestyle as a Junior in Guatemala (2006).

As a member of the 2006 Canadian National Team, Jack finished seventh overall in Freestyle at the Junior World Championships in Guatemala City and was ranked second in the world for his age (17 years) and weight class. He continued to represent Canada internationally at the World Wrestling Championships in Beijing (2007) and Istanbul (2008).

Jack won a silver medal in Greco-Roman wrestling at the 2010 Commonwealth Games in Delhi, India.

Jack made the 2012 Canadian Olympic Wrestling Team by winning gold at the Canadian Olympic Qualifier in Winnipeg. He won a bronze medal in Greco-Roman wrestling at the 2012 Pan American Championship in Colorado Springs, advancing him further down the Olympic path. Jack competed at the final Olympic Qualification Tournament in Kissimmee Orlando, but narrowly lost in the final seconds of his qualifying match, just missing out on the final spot for the 2012 Olympic Games in London.

Wrestling was Jack’s great passion and along the way, he made many friends and was able to travel the world pursuing his dreams. Wrestling at the elite level requires heart, determination and commitment, qualities that Jack embraced. He had natural skill, a deep work ethic and endless desire for technical perfection. He understood the enormous contributions to his success that were made by his coaches, club, family and friends.

Sadly, in 2013 Jack passed away at the age of 25 years and was unable to achieve his goal of competing at the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro. Many of his close friends from the Men’s and Women’s Canadian Wrestling Team dedicated their Rio Olympic performances to Jack.

Blaine Manning began playing lacrosse as a Sherwood Park Titan at the age of eight, and with hard work and dedication, went all the way to the National Lacrosse League (NLL). Blaine’s lacrosse experience included playing field lacrosse for St. Mary’s High School (Annapolis), contributing to their finish as the top ranked high school team in the USA in 1996. He received a Division 1 field lacrosse scholarship to Radford University (Virginia), where in his freshman year, he finished in the top 15 players across the USA for scoring.

Blaine was Assistant Captain for Team Canada at the Under-19 Field Lacrosse World Championship (1999) in Australia, winning silver. He played for Team Canada at the inaugural World Indoor Lacrosse Championship in 2003 winning gold. Blaine also played for Canada at the Heritage Cup, a box lacrosse showcase against the USA in 2002, and again in 2004 when Canada won.

Blaine was drafted second overall by the Calgary Roughnecks of the NLL in 2001 and a preseason trade took him to the Toronto Rock, where he played his entire professional career. He played 199 games, racking up 897 points. During Blaine’s time playing with the Toronto Rock, the team won the NLL Championship four times (2002, 2003, 2005 and 2011). He was named Rookie of the Year in 2002 and an All-Star in 2004, 2005 and 2006. Blaine shares the single game team record for 13 points in one game and in the 2005 regular season, amassed 105-points to break the ‘100 point season’ benchmark. At the time of his retirement, Blaine sat second all-time in Rock history in goals, assists, points and loose balls and third in games played.

Blaine was Assistant Captain of the Senior “A” Lacrosse Victoria Shamrocks, when they won the Canadian Lacrosse Association Championship Mann Cup in 2003. He also played for the Brampton Excelsiors when they won the Mann Cup in back to back years (2008, 2009).

Blaine has continued his involvement in lacrosse, sharing his love of the game by coaching in the community and Ontario Major Series Lacrosse. He has been an Assistant Coach for the Toronto Rock since 2014.

Kristina Schultz came to the sport of triathlon later in life than most athletes, entering and winning her first local race when she was 32 years old. She went on to become one of Canada’s outstanding age group (AG) triathletes. Over her 11-year career, she participated in 10 International Triathlon Union (ITU) sanctioned races, achieving podium results four times:

• bronze at the 2005 Honolulu ITU Age Group Triathlon World Championships (30-34 Female AG);
• gold at the 2008 Vancouver BG Triathlon World Championships (35-39 Female AG);
• gold at the 2010 ITU Triathlon World Championship Grand Final in Budapest (35-39 Female AG); and
• bronze at the 2014 ITU World Triathlon Grand Final in Edmonton (40-44 Female AG).

Kristina was named Triathlon Canada’s Female Age Group Triathlete of the Year in 2005, Olympic Distance Female Age Group (18-39) Athlete of the Year in 2008 and 2010, and received the 2014 Age Group Excellence Award for Standard Distance Triathlon (40-44 Female).

Along with her success in age group competition, Kristina also raced on the professional circuit, with several top ten finishes.

While most elite athletes focus the bulk of their energy on their sport, Kristina trained for her races while juggling the demands of raising a young family and teaching fitness, spin and swimming classes. She continues to teach, bringing positive energy to her classes, and motivating participants to achieve their very best.

Kristina retired from major competition in 2015, but continues to inspire triathletes in Strathcona County through coaching and mentorship. Kristina has used her athletic achievement to give back to the community, hosting fundraising spin classes and charity rides in support of local organizations.

Over 27 years, Corrie Davis has umpired over 3100 games, from minor league baseball to a major league tournament. He umpired his first Sherwood Park Minor Baseball Association (SPMBA) game at 12 years of age on Sherwood Heights Diamond #4.

Since then, Corrie has worked over 30 provincial championships and attended six national championships as an umpire and six more as a supervisor. He umpired at four world championships, including the 2000 and 2002 World Junior Championships, and supervised at two others. Corrie umpired at the 2005 Pan American Baseball Confederation World Junior Qualifier in Mexico and the 2007 World Cup of Baseball in Taiwan. 

In 2009, Corrie lived the life of a Major League Baseball umpire for five weeks in San Juan, Puerto Rico, at the World Baseball Classic – with Major League players, managers, umpires and fans.

In addition to his accomplishments on the field, Corrie has made significant contributions to the development of umpires of all ages. He instructed at over 80 umpire clinics across Canada during the past 15 years. He has been the Supervisor of Umpires for Baseball Canada since 2009, creating a legacy of quality umpires and umpire programming at the local, provincial and national levels.

Corrie was named the SPMBA Senior Umpire of the year in 2009, the Baseball Alberta Umpire of the Year in 1995 and Baseball Canada’s Umpire of the Year in 2005.

Corrie’s dedication to the sport of baseball is demonstrated by his local volunteerism. He sits on the Rep Committee of the SPMBA and is the Assistant Coach of his son’s baseball team. He is the lead promoter of a nation-wide fundraiser encouraging umpires to donate one game fee per season to a fund used to reduce financial barriers for youth playing organized baseball.

Derek Douglas began his career as a soccer referee in 1974 and attained the highest level possible in 1986 when he was appointed as a Federation International Football Association (FIFA) referee. He was the first Albertan to be appointed to this list of referees who officiate world class soccer games outside of Canada. His participation at the international level included refereeing five FIFA World Cup Qualifying matches, in El Salvador, Guatemala, Trinidad, Mexico and the USA. He also refereed provincially (1974-98), nationally (1981-98) and in the professional leagues of soccer including the North American Soccer League (1982-84) and the National Professional Soccer League (1995-2000).

Derek has encouraged officials to attain high standards of fitness and excellence through instruction and upgrading of referees in Strathcona County and throughout Alberta. He has received numerous awards recognizing his contributions to the game of soccer, including the Strathcona County Award of Excellence (1987), the Sherwood Park District Soccer Association President’s Award (1991), The Golden Whistle Award from the Alberta Soccer Association (1994) and the Canadian Soccer Association Ray Morgan Memorial Award for his contributions at the international level.

Derek retired from active refereeing in 2000, but remains involved in other areas of soccer – encouraging, instructing and sharing his experience and knowledge. 

Dave Plotsky coached baseball in Sherwood Park from 1980 to 2001, some years coaching both house league and rep teams. His philosophy at all levels was to give every player equal playing time. Dave was a positive motivator, always teaching and preparing his players for a higher level the following season. Even more important than improving skills, Dave believed in improving the individual, with education and family as top priorities. He kept in touch with many of his players long after they were done playing.

Dave had great success as a coach; his teams won two gold medals and a silver medal at the provincial championships between 1986 and 1991. He continued to coach even after his son was no longer playing in Sherwood Park. Dave believed that no kid should ever be denied the chance to play because there is no coach.

Dave served on the executive of the Sherwood Park Minor Baseball Association (SPMBA) in several capacities over the years and was recognized for his leadership and dedication in 1987, when he received the SPMBA President’s Award. In 1988, Dave received the Beth Hogan Memorial Award for Coaching. He was recognized again in 1990, receiving the SPMBA Coach’s Award.

For several years, Dave served on the Board of Directors for Baseball Alberta. His outstanding contribution to baseball in Alberta was recognized in 1996 when he received the Baseball Alberta President’s Award. He was also declared a Baseball Alberta Life Member in 2001.

In 1968, Dave was the proud recipient of the Carling’s Award of Merit for his work developing a baseball program in Edmonton’s inner city.

Dave passed away in 2002. In his memory, SPMBA hosts the annual Dave “Doc” Plotsky Memorial Tournament. There has also been a post-secondary scholarship created in Dave’s name that will recognize the SPMBA player who exhibits perseverance and dedication.

Gerald Diduck’s hard work, dedication and positive attitude have paid off in his success as a defenceman in the National Hockey League (NHL) for 17 years. He started playing hockey at the age of five in the Sherwood Park Minor Hockey Association program and played on provincial championship teams from 1976-80. Gerald played junior hockey for the Lethbridge Broncos (1981-84) who were the Western Hockey League Champions in 1983. He was named the Broncos' Best Defenceman (1982-83, 1983-84) and the Most Valuable Player of the playoffs (1983-84). He played for Canada at the World Junior Championships in Sweden (1984) as well as the 2000 Spengler Cup Tournament in Switzerland.

Gerald was selected by the New York Islanders in the first round of the 1983 NHL Entry Draft and played six seasons with the Islanders. In 1990-91, he split the season between the Montreal Canadiens and the Vancouver Canucks where he played until 1995. He helped the Canucks to game seven of the Stanley Cup finals in 1994. He played briefly in Chicago prior to signing with the Hartford Whalers (1995). Gerald was acquired by the Phoenix Coyotes in 1997 and played there for two seasons. He signed with the Toronto Maple Leafs in 2000 and played his 900th career game with the Leafs.

Gerald joined the Dallas Stars in the 2000-01 season. Coincidentally, the Stars’ coach was Ken Hitchcock, who was Gerald’s coach when he played Midget hockey in Sherwood Park. 

Ringette was first introduced in Alberta in 1974. Because his three daughters wanted to play the game, Jack Lukey became involved and volunteered to help write the constitution for Ringette Alberta. He was a member of the Ringette Alberta founding Board of Directors and sat on the executive or 10 years, acting as District Representative, Vice President, President (1981-82), and Past President. During that time, participation in ringette increased from 500 players from 11 communities to over 2,150 players from 27 communities.

Jack was also a ringette referee and was active in Sherwood Park for 15 years – referring his one-thousandth game on his sixtieth birthday! He became an instructor of referees and was the Referee in Chief for the Sherwood Park Ringette Association (SPRA) for a year.

Highlights for Jack include attending the first Canadian Ringette Championships in Winnipeg (1979) and working behind the scenes to host the Canadian Championships in Sherwood Park (1983). Jack’s service to ringette was recognized by the SPRA with an award for 10 consecutive years of service (1984) and by Ringette Alberta, when he was made an Honorary Member. His wife, Barbara Lukey, was also made an Honorary Member, having been active both locally and with Ringette Alberta.

Jim Frank put his foresight and organizational talents to work when he helped found the Sherwood Park Minor Hockey Club. He was one of the first presidents of the Club from 1964-67 and remained as a board member when the club became the Sherwood Park Minor Hockey Association. He served as Past President and then Director until 1978. In the early years, most of the games were played against Edmonton teams and Jim helped establish good relationships with the city teams, which were essential to the minor hockey program. 

Jim coached hockey for 15 years at the Pee Wee, Bantam and Midget levels; on any team he coached, every player got to play. He assisted with the formation of the Jr. ‘B’ Knights, acting behind the scenes as a fundraiser for the team. 

As a member of the Knights of Columbus, Jim was the Youth Director for 10 years, raising funds for minor sports and sponsorship for teams, He was an active participant in all of the Knights of Columbus local hockey tournaments and track and field competitions. Jim could often be found in the timekeepers’ box during hockey tournaments and still helps out when he can. 

Judy Diduck was an Olympic silver medalist with the Canadian Women’s Hockey Team at the 1998 Winter Olympics in Nagano, Japan. She played defence with the Canadian Women’s Hockey National Team for 10 years, winning four consecutive World Championships (1990, 1992, 1994, 1997). The National Women’s Hockey Team also won gold at the Three Nations Tournament (1996, 1998) and the Pacific Rim Tournament (1995, 1996). Judy was a member of Team Canada West which won the Ringette World Championships in 1990.

Judy played ringette on Sherwood Park Teams from the age of 10. Her teams won the Canadian National Silver medal in Belles (1980), the gold medal in Belles (1983) and the gold medal in Debs (1990). Judy began playing women’s hockey with the Sherwood Park Shooters in 1985, and played with the Ardrossan Capitals who won the Western Shield (1988). Playing the 1991 season in Switzerland, Judy’s team, The Grasshopper Club, won the Swiss League Championship. Judy played with the Edmonton Chimos who won medals at the Canadian Women’s Hockey Nationals from 1987-1998, including three bronze, six silver and two gold. She was awarded Best Defenceman at the Nationals in 1994.

As a member of the Calgary Oval Mission X-Treme, Judy won silver (1999) and bronze (2000) medals and was captain of the X-Treme when they won the gold medal (2001) at the Canadian Nationals. Judy received the Sportsmanship Award at the Canadian Women’s Hockey National Championships in 2000 and 2001.

Kevan Cameron started playing soccer at the age of nine in the Sherwood Park District Soccer Association house league program and progressed to the Sherwood Park Rangers as a member of the Under 14 team. He gained national exposure as a member of the Alberta Team at the Under 15 level (1993) and the Under 17 level (1995, 1996). Kevan played for the Edmonton Scottish who won the provincial title in the Alberta Major League in 1996. He also played for the Edmonton Warriers who won the provincial title in 1998.

In 1997, Kevan was carded by Soccer Canada as a national team prospect and received a scholarship to play soccer at Simon Fraser University (SFU) from 1997-2000. During that time, he gained international exposure at the Under 20 Concacaf Qualifying Tournament (1998), the Pan American Games in Winnipeg (1999), and the 2000 Concacaf Olympic Qualifying Tournaments in Trinidad and Tobago and the USA.

As a defender for the SFU Clan, Kevan was twice selected as an adidas All-American by the National Soccer Coaches Association of America (2000, 2001), and was named a team Most Valuable Player and nominated for Athlete of the Year at SFU in 2001.

Kristine Lucas-Hogan received two gold medals at the International Paralympic Committee World Athletic Championships in Berlin in 1994 for the 100-metre and 200-metre events, setting a world record in the 200 metres. She began training in 1992, dominating at provincial, national and international competitions.

 Kristine was named to Canada’s Paralympic Team for the Xth Paralympic Games in 1996, held in Atlanta, Georgia where she finished fifth in the 200 metres and sixth in the 100 metres. In addition to her sporting achievements, Kristine has been active in the Alberta Cerebral Palsy Sports Association (ACPSA), the Canadian Paralympic Committee, and the Canadian Cerebral Palsy Sports Association (CCPSA). 

Kristine received the ACPSA Athlete of the Year Award (1994), the Edmonton Salute to Excellence Award (1994), the Strathcona County Mayor’s Award (1997) and the CCPSA Janet Dunn Award (1997), which is given to the Canadian athlete who shows excellence in sport and contributes to sport for athletes with disabilities. 

Mark Randall played professional minor league baseball for nine years and had 80 career saves as a relief pitcher. He started playing baseball with the Sherwood Park Minor Baseball Association. In 1988-89, Mark played college baseball for Saddleback College in California where he was selected to the Orange Empire Conference All-Conference team.

In 1989, Mark was drafted by the Philadelphia Phillies and assigned to the Martinsville Phillies of the Appalachian Baseball League. He won the Rolaids Relief Pitcher of the Year for having the most “saves” during the year. In August 1990, Mark was named the Player of the Month for the Philadelphia Phillies organization. In 1993, he was a member of the Florida State League Champion Clearwater Phillies. The following year, Mark played in the Sweden Elite Series and was named the league Most Valuable Player (MVP). In 1995, he was named the MVP at the European Cup while playing in Austria. In 1997, Mark was the first player selected by the Allentown Ambassadors in their inaugural season in the Northeast League.

As a member of the Team Canada Senior Men’s baseball team from 1998 to 2001, Mark represented Canada at tournaments around the world. In 1998, he was named to the All-Star Team at the World Championship qualifying baseball tournament in Nicaragua. Mark won a bronze medal playing for Team Canada at the 1999 Pan American Games in Winnipeg.

Mark’s passion for the sport has led him to continue his career in baseball as a coach, instructor, scout, and technical advisor.

Mike Johnson’s baseball career took him from Strathcona County to the Major Leagues of Baseball and around the world. Mike played all of his amateur baseball with the Sherwood Park Minor Baseball Association (SPMBA) starting at the age of four.

In 1993, Mike was selected in the seventeenth round of the Major League Baseball amateur draft by the Toronto Blue Jays. From 1993 to 1995, he played with the Gulf Coast Blue Jays and the Medicine Hat Blue Jays. In 1996, he was the Hagerstown Suns Pitcher of the Year.

On April 6, 1997, at the age of 21, Mike pitched his first Major League game with the Baltimore Orioles. From 1997 to 2001, he played with the Baltimore Orioles and the Montreal Expos, as well as the Harrisburg Senators, the Ottawa Lynx, the Ponce Lions and the Oklahoma City Redhawks. From 2001 to 2010, Mike played in the Pacific Coast League, the Japanese Professional Baseball League, the Korean Professional Baseball League, the Atlantic League, the Northern League, the Golden League and the Chinese Professional Baseball League where he was selected the Most Valuable Player and Pitcher of the Year in 2008.

In addition to his professional career, Mike played for the Canadian National Team in the 2003 Olympic Qualifying Tournament where he received MVP honours. He played in the 2004 Summer Olympics in Athens and again in 2008 in Beijing. Mike was a part of the National Team in the 2007 (Taiwan) and 2011 (Panama) World Cups. In 2009, Mike started against the USA in the World Baseball Classic held in Toronto. He was part of the gold medal team at the 2011 Pan American Games in Guadalajara, Mexico.

Since 2009, Mike has also turned his attention to coaching for the St. Francis Xavier Baseball Academy, the Junior National Team, Team Alberta and SPMBA Midget AAA team. As someone who has achieved his dream of playing Major League Baseball, Mike uses his passion for the game to share his knowledge and expertise and develop young players to their highest potential.

In 1999, Randy Ferbey formed a team that would play together for an amazing 11 consecutive years, winning the Alberta Championships five times (2001 to 2005), the Canadian Championships (the Brier) four times (2001 to 2003, 2005) and the World Championships three times (2002, 2003, 2005).

In addition, the team won three Grand Slam events on the World Curling Tour: the 2006 World Cup of Curling and the 2006 and 2009 Players’ Championships. The Ferbey team was the Canada Cup of Curling Champion in 2003, 2004 and 2007 and won the TSN Skins Game in 2002 and 2009.

The team of Randy Ferbey (skip), David Nedohin (third), Scott Pfeifer (second) and Marcel Rocque (lead) played their first season as a team in 1999-2000. Dan Holowaychuk joined the team as its fifth player at their first appearance at the Brier in 2001. The team’s coach was Brian Moore.

The chemistry of the team created a level of excellence that enhanced the individual talent brought by each member. Randy came to the team having previously won two Briers and a World Championship. Although he was the skip, Randy threw third rocks, leaving the final shot-making to Dave, whose percentages at five Brier finals ranged from 84% to 96%. Scott was a World Champion as a junior curler and teamed up with Marcel to become one of the best “front ends” in curling in both sweeping and shot-making. Dan appeared in three of the team’s Brier performances and played a key organizational role with the team. As coach, Brian was central in helping the team with the mental aspect of the game of curling. 

In 2002, the team received a Pride of Strathcona Award and the Mayor’s Award, Strathcona County’s highest civic honour.  The team was inducted into the Edmonton Sports Hall of Fame (2002) and named the 2005 Alberta Sport, Recreation, Parks and Wildlife Foundation Sports Team of the Year.

Now playing in the National Hockey League (NHL), Ray Whitney began his hockey career at the age of five, playing as a Josephburg Flyer (1978-84). He played for the Strathcona Warriors (1984-85) and the Fort Saskatchewan Rangers (1985-88). 

Ray played three seasons for the Spokane Chiefs of the Western Hockey League (WHL) from 1988-91 en route to winning the Memorial Cup Championship in 1991. In that year, he was named the Most Valuable Player in the WHL, the Canadian Hockey League Player of the Year (WHL), a First Team All Star and the Top Scorer of the WHL. In 1991-92, Ray played in the German League, for Team Canada and for the San Diego Gulls of the International Hockey League (IHL) where he received the Rookie of the Year Award and was named MVP of the All Star Game.

He was chosen by the San Jose Sharks in the second round of the 1991 NHL Entry Draft and played for the Sharks and Kansas City (IHL) in 1992-93. Ray played for San Jose from 1993-97 and signed with the Edmonton Oilers in 1997, playing nine games before being claimed on waivers by the Florida Panthers. He was named the MVP for the Panthers in 1998-99 and received the State of Florida Sports Award in 1999. In the 1999-2000 season, Ray ranked second on the Panthers in both goals and assists and was selected to play in the 2000 NHL All Star Game. In March 2001, Ray joined the Columbus Blue Jackets. 

Bob Edwards took his love of football and founded and helped develop the Sherwood Park Minor Football Association (now the Strathcona County Minor Football Association - SCMFA), resulting in more than 6,000 players benefiting from the program over the past 36 seasons.

Bob quarterbacked his Edmonton high school team to win City Championships in 1963 and 1964, displaying the leadership and organizational skills that would serve him well later in life. He coached his first Bantam team at the same time, at the age of 17.

In 1974, Bob worked tirelessly to found the Sherwood Park Minor Football Association. He served as the first president and was on the executive until 1977. He was a head coach in 1983 and 1984 and served as League Commissioner in 1985. 

Bob was the coach and manager of the Sherwood Park Rams (1970, 1972, 1973, 1989), Knights (1971) and North Stars (1985). As a coach, he was patient, positive and well prepared, believing in sportsmanship, sacrifice and giving kids a chance to play. He cared about developing his players as both athletes and individuals.

In 1979, the Alberta Football Coaches Association presented him with the Bantam Award for his service to the Edmonton and District Bantam Football Association throughout the 1970s. 

In 1986, Bob approached Archbishop Jordan High School, encouraging them to organize a football program and volunteering to lead fundraising efforts. This was the start of what continues to be a successful football program.

The SCMFA honoured Bob in 1999 for his outstanding service and dedication. The Association created the Bob Edwards Founders’ Trophy to recognize volunteers committed to developing young players, teaching them leadership, perseverance and teamwork. The award also funds players who otherwise could not afford to play.

Bob, who passed away in April 2011, summed up his football experience saying, “I truly believe that everything I needed to know to succeed in life, I learned in football. I had the privilege and pleasure to work with a lot of wonderful, talented football people. Whatever success I achieved in football is largely attributable to them.”

Back Row: Brenda Kruper (Manager), Howie Smith (Coach), Stephen Kent (Coach), Dave Moorhouse (Coach)

Middle Row: Deidra Boudreau, Brianne Carothers, Taryne Boudreau, Lauren Kruper, Jackie Smith, Lauren Kent, Justine Gordon, Lauren Usher, Karla Schacher, Anoop Josan

Back Row: Kathryn Twyman, Gillian Smith, Kendall Cholak, Erin Bennett, Kailey Daniels, Kirsten Wishloff 

This team of girls reached the pinnacle of club soccer in Canada when they represented Alberta and won the 2003 Canadian Under-16 Soccer Championship. This was only the third time Alberta had claimed the title and a first for the Rangers.

The team started playing together as Under-11 athletes and over the years won gold in league play nine out of 11 seasons (five indoor and six outdoor). They also competed in the Alberta Provincial Championships in nine seasons, medaling each time, winning six gold, two silver and one bronze. In 2003, they were awarded the Provincial Fair Play Award, which is given to the Alberta team that demonstrates the most sportsmanlike conduct during Provincial and National club competitions. Also in 2003, they won the Adidas Golden Shoe Award, presented by the Alberta Soccer Association to the Team of the Year.

Several of the team members continued to play with the team and went on to win the silver medal at the 2005 Canadian Under-18 Championship.

When Stan Fisher moved to Strathcona County in 1972, there were no handball courts, so he organized a group of players from the community that traveled to Edmonton to play. Thirty-five years later, the Sherwood Park Handball Club is still active and Stan has served in an executive capacity with the club since its inception.

As the Recreation and Parks Director in Sherwood Park from 1972-74, Stan was instrumental in the construction of courts in Strathcona County and surrounding region.

Stan was President of the Alberta Handball Association from 1979-81 and President of the Canadian Handball Association for five years in the early eighties. During this time, he wrote the first two levels of the National Handball Coaching Program Manuals, which are still used today. He is a Level II coach and can certify other coaches. Stan also co-authored the handball segment of The Canadian Encyclopedia.

Stan’s vision for the growth of handball included the development of both a junior player program to introduce the sport to young people and an advanced player program. As a result, many members of the Sherwood Park Handball Club have traveled to Canadian and international championships and won various categories.

Stan was part of the organizing committee for the 2006 World Handball Championships held in the Edmonton region. This event hosted 780 athletes from 14 countries. One of the highlights of the Championships was the one-wall category held in Strathcona County. A legacy from the event is an outdoor one-wall handball court built adjacent to the Kinsmen Leisure Centre. In addition, the prototype, temporary one-wall courts built in the Sherwood Park Arena will be replicated for the 2009 World Championships 

Stan is still an active handball player and volunteer today.

The Tournament of Nations (T.O.N.), established in 1995, is the largest tournament in the world for its age group (hockey players aged seven and under and ringette players aged nine and under). The 10-day tournament brings over 3,000 young athletes from 298 teams to Strathcona County for the fun of playing hockey and ringette. The T.O.N. has an educational component with each team representing a country and carrying its country’s flag at the Opening Ceremonies. With a focus on participation, every child plays the same number of games and goes home with a team jersey and a gold medal. The idea for the T.O.N. was developed by Terry Walsh and Edmonton resident Willis Martiniuk, who were joined by Trudy Ann Holt in founding the Tournament.

Terry Walsh wanted to give back to the community and provide an event for children who play hockey for the pleasure of playing, who “come off the ice with an ear to ear grin”. He received the Strathcona County Reeve’s Award in 1995 for his work on the T.O.N., in addition to 20 years of community service as a coach, team sponsor and leader. Terry could see something that needed doing and moved mountains to make things happen. He remained devoted to the children of the community long after his own boys had become adults. Terry passed away in 1996, leaving his dream, the Tournament of Nations, as a community legacy.

Trudy Ann Holt was responsible for combining ringette and hockey at the T.O.N. while she was President of Ringette Alberta. She was involved with Ringette Alberta as the Senior Level Director (1992-93), President (1993-96) and as a representative to Ringette Canada (1993-96). Trudy has fulfilled her vision as Chair of the T.O.N. from 1997 to 2001, coordinating the efforts of the many volunteers and sub-committees involved in the tournament. Trudy’s initiative, imagination and creativity are reflected in the unique Olympic-style T.O.N. Opening Ceremonies. With her dedication to the Tournament, she strives for the “most fun”, as seen in the smiles of thousands of children having a TON of fun!

Billy Warwick brought a history of personal achievement in hockey to Strathcona County in 1970 and helped develop the Sherwood Park Minor Hockey Association (SPMHA) into one of the best in North America. Billy started his hockey career in Saskatchewan and later played for the New York Rovers, the New York Rangers, the Hershey Bears and the Minneapolis Millers, who were the United States League Champions in 1949-50. He joined the Penticton V’s, who won the Allan Cup in 1953-54 and the World Championships in 1955.

Billy’s involvement with the SPMHA began as a team sponsor in 1975 and later included positions of Coach, Director, President (1980-81), Past President (1981-86) and Director of Public Relations (1986-87). During his tenure as President, the SPMHA successfully negotiated the operation of concessions in the Sherwood Park Arena and Sports Centre. As Past president, he was instrumental in transferring the “Skate-A-Thon” to the auspices of the SPMHA. These two accomplishments helped to provide secure and ongoing funding to the association. 

Billy was also part owner of the the Sherwood Park Crusaders Hockey Club from 1980-87, during which time a minimum requirement of local talent was instituted. He received the SPMHA Sportsman’s Appreciation Award (1987) and the Reeve’s Medal (1988). A great player and volunteer, Billy has been an inspiration and mentor to athletes in the Sherwood Park Minor Hockey Association.