February 4, 2014
Prince Albert, Saskatchewan – Three athletes, two builders, one for meritorious service and one team will be inducted into the Prince Albert Sports Hall of Fame Saturday, April 26th, 2014 during a banquet in the Ches Leach Lounge adjacent to the Sports Hall of Fame in the Art Hauser Centre.
Also, the Board is pleased to announce that the Prince Albert Sports Council has been named the Sports Association of the Year. This category was introduced in 2013 to recognize outstanding contributions by associations to sports in our community.
As protocol, to make room for the new slate of inductees, those inducted during the 2002 ceremony will have their citations presented to them and they will join the section of the Hall for the retired citations.
2014 Inductees
Josef Tesar Jr.
Athlete – Wrestling
Born in Teplice, Czech Republic, Josef Tesar Jr. defected to Canada with his family at age 4. His father, Josef Tesar Sr. (inducted into the PA Sports Hall of Fame in 1996) was a decorated wrestler in the Czech Republic, having qualified for the Olympics, and it was only natural his son would follow in his footsteps in his new home country.
With his father as his primary coach Josef Jr. took up wrestling at age 7 and by the time he was 12 had captured his first Canadian Championship. With his father’s back ground as a Greco-Roman wrestler Josef Jr. was able to train and compete in both Greco-Roman and freestyle throughout his career.
Ten times Josef Tesar Jr. was the Saskatchewan champion, going on to win 4 times at the National level. He also won gold at meets in Montana and California, often wrestling up one or two weight classes for training and development purposes.
One of his greatest accomplishments was in 1998 when Tesar struck gold in the 61 kg .division at the CIAU (Canadian University) championships helping his University of Regina Cougars team to the overall championship at a meet at Brock University in St. Catharines, Ontario. It was the U of R’s second straight CIAU crown and was part of that University’s successful push to get a new field house with a wrestling room as a major component. Tesar won silver at the 1999 CIAU’s and was an All Canadian three straight years at the U of R.
His success propelled Tesar to the World University Games in Ankara, Turkey in 2000 where he was defeated by the reigning World Junior Champion from Iran. Tesar would finish 7th at the University Games.
Tesar received a Business Administration Degree from the U of R. He briefly coached a high school wrestling team in Yorkton before returning to be with his family in Prince Albert in 2003. He was named president of the Saskatchewan Amateur Wrestling Association for one year while assisting with the PA Wrestling Club. Under his leadership some athletes would strike gold at the Canadians in St. John’s, Newfoundland.
Ryan Roznowsky
Athlete – Special Olympics Swimming
Ryan Roznowsky was one of the key contributors to the success of Special Olympics in Prince Albert through the late 1990s and early 2000s. Although a multiple sport Special Olympian (Bowling, Floor Hockey, Golf, Softball, Snowshoe, Track & Field), he is recognized for his incredible accomplishments in Special Olympics Swimming.
Ryan was a competitor for Prince Albert Special Olympics from 1985-2006 when his family moved to Grande Prairie, Alberta where he continued to compete with added success. At Saskatchewan Provincial Special O swimming championships, Roznowsky garnered 16 gold, 1 silver and 2 bronze medals at Provincial and Summer Games competitions. This included 3 gold at the 1997 Summer Games hosted in PA.
Prince Albert hosted the 2002 Canadian Special Olympic Summer Games where Roznowsky was one of the most decorated athletes winning 2 gold, 1 silver and 1 bronze leading him to be named the 900 CKBI Kinsmen Athlete of the Year. All tolled he has won 5 gold, 8 silver and 6 bronze medallions at Canadian Championships for Special Olympians or Swimmers with a Disability.
After moving to Grande Prairie, Roznowsky continued to dominate the waters in Alberta, with 6 gold, 3 silver and a bronze in 2 Special O Summer Games competitions. He also swam for Canada internationally at meets in Albufeira, Portugal; Taipei, Taiwan; Loano, Itay and Morelia, Mexico, winning 4 gold, 6 silver and a bronze against the best from around the world.
With a career spanning almost 20 years, Ryan Roznowsky has put Prince Albert on the map for Special Olympics competition, particularly swimming.
Amanda Dunn
Athlete – Racquetball
For 20 years Amanda Dunn’s name was synonymous with the sport of racquetball in Prince Albert. She was one of the country’s elite players and also a coach in the sport for many years.
A member of the Prince Albert Racquetball Association from 1986-2005 as player and coach, Dunn qualified for provincial championships each year of her involvement. As a junior, Dunn was the Canadian Champion for five straight years, from 1993 to 1997 and a member of the National Junior Team from 1995 to 1997. Moving up to the women’s division in 1998, Dunn would secure a spot with the Canadian National team through to 2005. In 2000 and 2002 Dunn would strike gold in women’s doubles.
Internationally Dunn would dominate in the Junior Division, winning World titles from 1996 to 1997. At the World Championships in 2000 in San Luis Potos, Mexico Dunn would win silver in women’s doubles, silver with the women’s team and was part of the Canadian team that won the overall World Title.
San Juan, Puerto Rico would host the 2002 World Racquetball Championships where Dunn and the Canadian team would win silver overall, in the women’s division along with the PA girls’ silver medal performance in women’s doubles.
At Amanda Dunn’s final World Championships, in 2004 in Anyang, South Korea, her women’s doubles team would win bronze, with the Canadian women’s team taking silver and the Canadians overall also in the silver medal position.
Dunn was the Saskatchewan Athlete of the month during 1996 and was named the 1998 Prince Albert Sportswoman of the Year. Besides coaching racquetball Dunn, who is a certified Level 2 Coach, also coaches volleyball, basketball and badminton, sports she also participates in. As a mother, she also is very involved in her children’s activities including Prince Albert Minor Hockey Association and Timberland Bowbenders archery club.
Pat Regel
Builder – Skating Instructor
The skill of being able to skate is a complicated one. To teach this skill and to teach it well is an art and that art has been mastered by Pat Regel. From beginners who can’t stand on blades, to top National Figure Skaters to National Hockey League players, Pat Regel has taught them all, and with success.
Pat Regel’s love of skating and unlimited passion for teaching this love is contagious. She creates a fun, positive environment for skaters of al ages and skill levels. A trademark is the songs and games Pat will play with the youngest of Skaters in CanSkate to capture their attention and make the process of teaching proper skills fun and creative.
Regel’s students come from all skating disciplines-from figure skaters to hockey players to hockey officials. She works with each individual and makes them understand the process they need to go through to become a better skater and is with them every step of the way.
Bob Coffin
Builder-Football
Bob grew up in Colonsay where he participated and excelled in a number of sports programs. From there, he moved to Saskatoon to attend the U of S where he was a member of the Huskie football program and track program for 5 years. He excelled at both and still holds a football record for most career interceptions. He completed his Physical Education and education degrees and received an award for excellence in university academics, athletics, and leadership.
Bob continued to receive many more awards after university and taught and coached in the Saskatoon system for a number of years. In 1999, Prince Albert, Carlton and the North Central District hit the lottery as Bob moved to Prince Albert to take the position of vice principal at Carlton.
While doing his administrative duties he coached football and track and field. He was part of organizing committees for provincial championships hosted by Carlton and worked with wrestling to organize tournaments and playoffs. He was a coach with both Carlton’s senior and junior football programs. He continued to be involved with Football Saskatchewan and was recognized by them for his dedication.
Upon retirement, community football in Prince Albert became his prime focus as he worked even more closely with the PA Minor Football Association and PA Officials’ group. The people he has worked with in Minor Football say he has been key to their program with the expertise and energy he brought to PA Minor Football and is the main reason they have been able to sustain and grow a program to include a spring 6 aside league and a prospering referees group. Bob has not only helped to build and revive a sustainable football program in a hockey town, but has built the morale of those clubs by making every player, coach and parent feel they are the ones most important to the organization’s success. He has been a builder of more than an organization as he has built confidence, perseverance and passion within the hearts of many young athletes in and around the Prince Albert area.
Ward Howat
Meritorious Service – Hockey Referee
Being a referee in the sport of hockey in Canada is a very difficult position as Canadians are passionate and knowledgeable about the sport and often question officials’ decisions. In Prince Albert that is multiplied as hockey is an integral interwoven part of the entire communities’ fabric. So for one person to survive, and thrive, as a hockey referee for 27 years is special – Ward Howat has done just that.
A passion for the game of hockey and the love of officiating resulted in a lengthy career for Howat in the striped uniform. He served in the Western Hockey League as a linesman for 15 years and called games at different levels for 25 years. Headlining all this is that Howat is the second longest serving member of the Saskatchewan Hockey Association Executive with 27 years of service in the volatile position of Coordinator of Officials.
On ice Howat was the Referee in Chief for the Saskatchewan Major Midget Hockey League from 2005 – 2010, worked over 20 years of Junior A, Junior B, Major Midget and Senior hockey throughout the province, including working over 40 provincial championships games. He also officiated 2 IIHF Exhibition games and was the Referee in Chief for the 2012 Allan Cup.
Off the ice as a supervisor and mentor, Howat worked as an official assignor from 1985 – 2010 including supervision of over 1500 games. He also had a high profile with Hockey Canada attending many officials seminars and workshops from 1985-2010 and was a Hockey Canada Officials Clinic Instructor from 1995 – 2005.
Ward Howat also was a successful Body Builder and Power Lifter achieving Finalist in both at the Provincial and Western Canadian levels. On the ball diamond, Howat was involved for 10 years with Hewitt Auction Senior B Men’s Slow Pitch team, winning 2 provincial titles and in fastball has been a sponsor, coach and part time player for R & W Custom Collision Pirates who were 4 time Sportsman League Champs.
1972 Bantam West Hill Flyers
Team
In an era before all-star teams or developmental teams, the 1972 Bantam West Hill Flyers was primarily made up of players from the West Hill neighbourhood of PA. The Prince Albert Kinsmen Minor Hockey Association did allow them 7 pick-up players from East Hill and Crescent Heights, but primarily this group from the West Hill would go 68-3 in the winter of 1971-72 including winning the Provincial Bantam AA Championship. That record was compiled in league games, exhibition, tournament and playoff games.
Coached by Tony Mihilewicz, assisted by Jim Penner along with trainer Ron Russell, the Flyers would win the City Bantam Title and Provincial playdown tournament.
Three of the Flyers – Dave Dubyk, Glenn Kulyk and Bruce Balicki, would go on to play with the Prince Albert Raiders of the SJHL and win a Centennial Cup title. Lorne Adams went on to the Estevan Bruins in the SJHL and Dwayne Melrose went on to play with the Saskatoon Blades in the WHL.
Members of the team included: Barry Mihilewicz (goaltender), Adams, Dubyk, Kulyk, Balicki, Melrose, Jim Weckworth, Mark Weckworth, Murray Guy, Jeff Smith, Warren Town, Dave Fisher, Jerry Harasyn, Dave Russell, Gerry Russell, Duane Rohachuk, Craig McLeod, Allan Merkowsky and Terry Strueby.
Sports Association of the Year
Prince Albert Sports Council
The Prince Albert Sports Council was formed in 1985 as a volunteer organization with a mission to assist sport organizations, teams, individuals and facilities with funding and to have a common voice for all sport groups.
Over the years, the Sports Council has provided support and funding for hundreds of teams, athletes and sport venues. Some projects the Sports Council has been involved with include:
- Bleachers and Score Board at Diamond #2 – Prime Minister’s Park
- Canoe & Kayak Boat House
- Horseshoe pits at the Exhibition Grounds
- Gymnastics & Soccer Centre
- Cross Country Ski Trails
- Margo Fournier Centre
- Summer Games Sports Centre
- Rotary Trail
- Skateboard Park
- 1992 Summer Games
- 1999 Western Canada Games
- 2002 Special Olympics
- Seniors’ Bowling
- Several outdoor rinks at Community Clubs
- St. Mary High School Gym
- Harry Jerome Track
And the list goes on – most recently the Sports Council donated to the fitness equipment fund for the new Carlton Physical Activity Complex. It would be difficult to find a sport or organization that the Sports Council has not supported or been involved with since its inception.
The Sports Hall of Fame welcomes the PA Sports Council as the Sports Association of the Year.
Inducted in 2002, citations to be presented to inductees:
- Brian Vickers
- Ryan Byrne
- Ron Stewart
- Cec Corrigal
- Marshall Johnston
- Zig Legins
- Prince Albert Crescent Celtic Boys Soccer Team 1973- 1980
- Prince Albert Celtic Girls Soccer Team 1993 – 1996
Tickets for the 2013 Prince Albert Sports Hall of Fame Banquet, April 20 are $40 each and available at Community Services in City Hall. Corporate tables of 8 are $500 each which includes sponsorship of the event.