Author: Hall of Fame

  • 1984-1987 Birch Hills Marauders – Team

    1984-1987 Birch Hills Marauders – Team

    The Birch Hills high school has the reputation of producing very competitive basketball teams. The boys’ teams from 1984 to 1987, under the guidance of head coach Bill Yeaman, had some of the strongest teams to come out of the Birch Hills community. What made these teams unique was the ability to compete against the larger and more populated city schools in Saskatchewan.

    Birch Hills dominated the 2A boys category in the Saskatchewan High School Athletics Association by winning four straight provincial titles beginning in 1984. What made these Birch Hills teams so special was their ability to compete against the top 4A and 5A teams in the province. Having played 80% of their games against the larger schools in the province, their record was 109 wins and 31 losses. The teams went on to win 16 tournaments over that time span.

    Notably, in the 1986 season, the team never played or practiced in their home gym. A major renovation of the Birch Hills school had them travel to Kinistino to use their gym. Over the course of those four years, the team had numerous accomplishments. In 1986, they defeated the number one ranked team from Regina to win a tournament. In 1987, the team was invited to play over the Christmas break at an international tournament in Bottineau, North Dakota and, that same year, defeated the third ranked team out of Saskatoon to win the tournament.

    From an individual player’s accomplishments, four players from these teams were selected to play in the Saskatchewan High School All Star game – Carmen Bear (86), Darrin Rask and Kevin Foster (87) and Trevor Mitchell (88). Darrin Rask was the only player to play on all four teams and had an outstanding University career playing five years for the U of S Huskies. He was one of the leading three point shooters in Canada West. The teams had outstanding managers—Ginger Oleniuk, Alana Hounsell, Robin Getz, and Lori Hendricks. They kept game stats and did the filming which was a huge part of the teams’ success.

    As much as these players accomplished on the court, they were such positive ambassadors for their own communities of Birch Hills and Muskoday. Through their play on the court, fans were able to witness the beliefs and values of the Birch Hills Marauders: hard work, excellent skills, determination and outstanding sportsmanship.

    Coach Yeaman is very proud of the teams’ basketball accomplishments, but will always treasure the quality of citizens that all these players have become and what they have contributed back to their communities.

    Players from 1984 to 1987 include: Tim Andvaag, Corey Apesland, Brad Bear, Carmen Bear, Kelly Bear, Wayne Berge, Jeff Balone, Warren Brownell, Paul Crivea, Kevin Foster, Darren Gronvold, Jerry Heffernan, Robin Harper, Kevin Mitchell, Trevor Mitchell, Orvin Opseth, Darrin Rask, Dobby Reid, Earl Shilling, Kelly Soyland, Cory Smith, Corey Strangeland, Duane Stangeland, Dean Thompson. Coach: Bill Yeaman Managers: Ginger Oleniuk, Robin Getz, Alana Hounsell, Lori Hendrick.

    1984-1987 Birch Hills Marauders – Team
  • Rene Quintal – Builder

    Rene Quintal – Builder

    As a volleyball player, coach and builder, Rene Quintal has acquired a long list of accomplishments over the years. Starting with the grass roots of volleyball, Rene was the founder of the Prince Albert Atomic Volley Program in 2007. The program developed youngsters from kindergarten through to grade 6. Many of the players who graduated from this program went on to participate in provincial and national team programs.

    From grass roots to high school, Rene has served as the St. Mary High School volleyball coach since 2002 with continued success. Teams coached by Rene won Saskatchewan High School Athletic Association gold medals in 2003, 2005, 2006, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2015, 2016 and 2023.

    The Prince Albert Volleyball Club consists of players from across the province, many of them coming to take advantage of Rene’s expertise in the game. His success with Prince Albert Volleyball Club includes nine gold medals across three different age categories ranging from Under 15 to Under 18, from 2003 to 2023. Rene also coached Prince Albert Volleyball Club teams at nationals on 13 different occasions, with teams finishing in the top 10 in Canada in seven of those years.

    Team Saskatchewan has benefited from Rene’s skills as a coach, as he was the provincial team coach from 2003-2005, winning a gold medal at the 2004 Under 18 men’s national tournament in Saskatoon. He also went to the 2005 Jeux Canada Games as the Team Saskatchewan coach, finishing sixth. At the Saskatchewan Winter Games, Rene was the head coach of Zone 8 in 2006, leading a gold medal finish.

    His accolades as a coach also include success at the university level. Rene was an assistant coach with the University of Saskatchewan Huskies from 1999-2001. In 2001, the Junior Huskies (20U team) won a national championship.

    As a volleyball player, Rene was outstanding. He’s already inducted into the Prince Albert Sports Hall of Fame as a member of the 1995 Prince Albert Toppers team that won silver at nationals.

    Currently Rene is a Volleyball Canada coach developer and learning facilitator. Remarkably, 36 players Rene has coached have gone on to play at the college/university level. Winning success aside, his most powerful contribution in the sport may be how he has positively impacted the lives of young players, helping them to develop their potential not only as athletes, but as people.

    Rene Quintel – Builder
  • Elizabeth (Hudon) Tenaski – Athlete

    Elizabeth (Hudon) Tenaski – Athlete

    Elizabeth Tenaski was an accomplished all-around athlete, but it was the sport of soccer where she made her mark. Elizabeth started playing soccer at the age of five in a co-ed league where she would win a number of house league championships.

    By the time she was 12 she started playing Celtic soccer and began to really make a name for herself. She played with the Celtics for five years and won the Golden Boot and MVP for the Provincial Soccer League in 2003. She was also the Saskatchewan Soccer Association MVP in 2006 and 2007 and the youth player of the year.

    Her skills caught the eye of the University of Saskatchewan Huskies who recruited her to begin playing in 2007. She started her Huskies career off strong and was named the Huskie Athletics Female Rookie of the year for the 2007-2008 season. During her time as a member of the Huskies, she was a five-time Huskies Golden Boot winner and four-time Huskies MVP. She was named to the Canada West all-star team in 2008, 2010 and 2011. She also received multiple honours as the Canada West player of the week.

    Elizabeth made her mark in the soccer world on the national and international level. She competed in the 2005 Canada Games for Team Saskatchewan. She was also a member of the Saskatchewan team at the 2012 national championships, scoring all three goals in Team Sask’s 3-2 bronze medal game win over Quebec. She won the Golden Boot for the tournament as well.

    On the international stage, Elizabeth was a member of the 2005 Saskatchewan Summer Games team that travelled to San Diego to play games against teams from California. Additionally, she was selected as a member of Team Canada Under 15 team which participated in international games against Germany.

    Once Elizabeth moved on to her teaching career, she shared her skills in other sports with young athletes, helping coach St. Mary High School to a provincial volleyball championship in 2017. Elizabeth has always been a fierce competitor but humble in her success and a strong advocate for sports and athletes in her home town of Prince Albert.

    Elizabeth (Hudon) Tenaski – Athlete
  • Frank Dunn – Athlete

    Frank Dunn – Athlete

    As an athlete, Frank Dunn excelled in gymnastics, diving and triathlon, competing on the provincial, national and international stage. Early on in his athletic career, Frank was a member of the PA Kinsmen Gymnastics Club. He would always make the podium in all six apparatus in multiple meets held in Prince Albert, Saskatoon and Winnipeg; winning at least three of those events and placing second or third in the others.

    Frank showed incredible skill, strength and flexibility at those competitions, performing moves that many others couldn’t. He made a name for himself in the gymnastics world, winning a Western Canadian meet in Winnipeg.

    Frank began competing in the sport of diving when he attended the University of Manitoba in 1971 and he quickly excelled, later transferring to the University of Calgary to join that university’s diving club. At the U of C, Frank was named the male athlete of the year in 1975-1976 and was CIAU all-Canadian for two years in 1974-1975 and 1975-76, winning both events one meter and three-meter springboard and setting two new all high records in both. In 1975, Frank won Alberta provincials in all three events including 10 meter and on a national level Frank won Canadian one meter springboard and placed third on 10 meter tower. His success earned him a spot in Canada’s National Diving team program and included the honour of being a member of Canada’s Diving Olympic training program for the 1976 Olympics. He earned a spot as the first alternate on Canada’s Olympic Diving team.

    He continued his diving career as a member of the Canadian team invited to compete in the CanAmMex series which involved competing in diving meets in Canada, the US and Mexico. In Mexico’s Open international meet, Frank received a fifth place finish for 10 meter tower. After his career with the national diving team, Frank returned to diving in the 1980s in the Masters division and continued on in Prince Albert coaching both the sport of diving and gymnastics, receiving the Saskatchewan (Keith Russell) male gymnastic coach award.

    When he wasn’t diving or involved in gymnastics or trampoline, Frank decided it would be a good idea to start the Frank Dunn Triathlon in 1982. Frank continues to sponsor the now second longest running triathlon in Canada. He, of course, also competed in a number of triathlon events including Vancouver marathon and Penticton Ironman.

    Frank Dunn – Athlete
  • Tom Brothwell – Builder

    Tom Brothwell – Builder

    The sport of soccer in the Prince Albert area was built under the guidance and hard work of many individuals. One of the names that you will see on that list is Tom Brothwell. Tom’s foray into soccer began in the 1990s. As a member of the board of directors for the Prince Albert High Noon Optimist Youth Soccer Association, he served in many capacities including the chair of both the indoor and outdoor youth soccer programs.

    Youth and adult indoor soccer changed under Tom Brothwell’s leadership initially with the youth program where, with the partnership of the school systems, he developed a program where he would access school gymnasiums and set up the locations in order to begin the development of the game. As the game grew in popularity, his work then also included the development of the indoor soccer program at the Prince Albert High Noon Optimist Centre, and eventually at the Alfred Jenkins Field House.

    He helped develop young soccer players as a coach beginning in 1991 where he would lead the Under 11 girls to the city championship. In 1994 and 1995 the Under 15 girls’ teams won one city championship and two provincial championships under his guidance. His team also took home the provincial fair play award and earned the opportunity to play in the Western National Championship in Winnipeg. In 1998, he turned to coaching the Under 13 boys’ soccer program where his team won the Division 2 city championship and the provincial fair play award in the Premier Men’s Provincial Championship.

    Tom was highly successful in helping to coach high school soccer, winning a championship in 1999. In 2001, his team took home the championship in the Premier Women’s Outdoor Soccer provincials and the provincial fair play award. His team attended the Premier Women’s National competition in Toronto that year and won the national fair play award. Later in his coaching career, he led the Division 2 Men’s team to an outdoor championship in 2007 and runner up in Division 1 Men’s outdoor provincials in 2008.

    His coaching successes and knowledge fostered the development of many young players to the Sask First all-star soccer program, enabling several athletes to earn post-secondary soccer scholarships in Canada and the US, as well as being a board member with the Saskatchewan Soccer Association.

    Tom’s knowledge and skills as a coach didn’t end with soccer, as he also coached club level volleyball and competitive baseball. His volunteerism and passion for the community also involved serving on a number of boards including seven years with the Prince Albert Raiders (including President), Kidsport and a volunteer with the Big Brothers and Sisters.

    Tom Brothwell – Builder
  • Lonny Akers – Athlete

    Lonny Akers – Athlete

    Lonny Akers has made his mark in Canadian bowling circles and deservedly so. Bowling runs deep into the Akers family, with Lonny now being a third generation into the Prince Albert Sports Hall of Fame with both his grandfather and father gracing these halls with their own inductions. Lonny embraced the family legacy at an early age becoming an exceptional bowler and an ambassador of the sport not just in Prince Albert but across Canada.

    Lonny’s journey as a competitive bowler started before he was even five years old, spending much of his time as a youth in the local Minto Bowling alley. That early start and dedication was only the foundation for setting the stage for an extraordinary career. As a member of the Youth Bowling Council, Lonny competed in numerous provincial and national championship events. His first major victory was the Saskatchewan Winter Games. Despite it being only Lonny’s first year of eligibility and being the youngest player on his team he would help the Zone 8 team go on to winning gold. This victory early on in his career only fueled his fire and passion for the sport of bowling.

    Over the years, Lonny made his mark in the bowling world with remarkable performances at provincial and national competitions. His impressive list of accomplishments includes being a member of Prince Albert’s open team for 30 years, along the way being a member of the provincial all-star team 12 times. Lonny went on to compete on a televised National stage by bowling on TSN twice but finally broke through in 2005 where bowling was on showcase on CBC Sports Saturday televised National Championships, Lonny went on to win the event, taking home a purse of $20,000. For this accomplishment Lonny would also go on to be Prince Albert’s Kinsmen athlete of the year. In 2010 Lonny would go on to win his second major title when he beat the best of the best from each province winning Masters Nationals singles championship. Lonny would later go on to secure titles on the Western Canadian Bowling Tour in 2013 winning the Regina Classic and again in 2018 coming out victorious winning the Player’s Championship in Sherwood Park, Alberta.

    Lonny has earned many accolades recognizing his contributions including an induction into Riverside Community School’s Wall of Fame and receiving the Ted Akers Memorial Award for his efforts in promoting the sport of bowling. Lonny has also set records in Prince Albert by recording an average of 281 and a high 5 game block of 1736.

    His impact on the sport of bowling extends well beyond his personal achievements. Lonny volunteers his time not only to help adults hone their craft but is also a mentor and coach for the youth bowlers of Prince Albert helping to nurture the next generation of talent. He has also been involved for over 10 years serving as an instructor and pro at the Saskatchewan Bowling School which draws in aspiring youth bowlers from across the country.

    The future of bowling in Prince Albert looks to be in great hands with Lonny Akers’ legacy as a competitor and a mentor helping to lead the way.

    Lonny Akers – Athlete
  • Brent Zbaraschuk – Builder

    Brent Zbaraschuk – Builder

    Brent Zbaraschuk was mentored by his dad Wally at the kitchen table and dressing rooms as a coach, as well as boardrooms of local Prince Albert sport organizations; telling his son that it was their responsibility for ensuring the kids had a safe place to play sports. Following his dad’s footsteps, Brent contributed more than 35 years helping to build the sports of hockey and soccer in Prince Albert and across Canada.

    On the local front, Brent served as the East End Community Club president for two years during which time the East End rink completed major renovations. Brent also served as the Prince Albert Referee Association’s treasurer-scheduler and then Referee in Chief for Prince Albert Minor Hockey’s Referee division, with his greatest accomplishment being the mentorship and development of Prince Albert’s youth officials, with officials progressing to the SJHL and WHL. His duties didn’t end there as he was a level three referee for many years and a minor hockey coach in the Bantam, Midget and Midget AA age classes from 1994-2001, with many of the players he coached moving on to the junior ranks, CIS, NCAA Division 1 and AHL.

    Brent spent 18 years at the provincial level as a board member of the Saskatchewan Hockey Association. From 2004-2024 Brent progressed through various senior leadership roles from Zone 8 Director to Vice President of Administration and Finance, Chairman of Appeals, Chairman of Minor and Director of Operations for many Saskatchewan Winter Games and Sask First programs. Once leaving the board, Brent was asked to sit on the Hockey Saskatchewan Governance Review Committee due to his thorough knowledge of constitutional and governance policies, culminating in a new governance model for Hockey Saskatchewan.

    Brent also made an impact outside of Saskatchewan. Brent was Hockey Saskatchewan’s representative on Hockey Canada’s Minor Council for five years. The council’s responsibility was to ensure the sport at the minor level was growing in a positive manner, while ensuring grassroots had a say in the governance of the game. Brent served as the chair of the Telus Western Regional Canadian Midget AAA Championships in Moose Jaw in 2011 and Prince Albert in 2014. Brent was Hockey Saskatchewan’s Esso Cup representative in 2023 with the Regina Rebels at both the Manitoba/Saskatchewan Regionals and ESSO Cup Nationals hosted in Prince Albert. Brent was Hockey Saskatchewan’s representative at the 2009 Telus Cup in Selkirk (Norte Dames Hounds) and the Telus Cup in 2014 hosted by Moose Jaw, which was won by the Prince Albert Mintos. Brent was the chair of the Western Canadian Bantam Championships hosted in Kindersley (2013) and Warman (2017).

    On the soccer scene, Brent served as the East End Community Soccer Club representative and then served a term as president of the Prince Albert High Noon Optimist Club. It was during this time that the association’s indoor soccer program was exploding at the seams, and a soccer facility was seen as a requirement versus using local school gyms. Thus, the beginning of acquiring the first soccer centre was soon realized.

    Brent also took the time out to serve his community as the chair of the Prince Albert Public Library and as Reeve and Counsellor for the RM of Paddockwood #520.

    Brent Zbaraschuk – Builder
  • 1975-1978 Meath Park Mustangs – Team

    1975-1978 Meath Park Mustangs – Team

    A team going undefeated in one season is an incredible accomplishment on its own, imagine going undefeated for four straight years. That’s just what the Meath Park Mustangs six-man football team did from 1975-1978.

    After undefeated regular seasons in 1975, ’76, ’77, and ’78, the Mustangs would move on to the provincial six-man championships, where they came out with the gold medal for four straight seasons. Incredibly, the team also went undefeated in the 1979 regular season before ending their winning streak in the provincial finals against Canwood by a score of 31-30.

    Many of the players would go on to coach future Mustangs and created the Mustang Alumni which helped support the team before it was disbanded.

    Members of the championship teams were : Larry Adamko, Barry Balicki, Rick Belzevick, Brian Billay, Dennis Billay, Gordon Billay, Brian Bird, Keith Bird, Gerald Brahniuk, Ricky Brahniuk, Paul Brule, Danny Carrier, Randy Davis, John Delparte, Ron Feschuk, Russell Feschuk, Dwayne Fisher, Ricky Grocholski, Conrad Hanson, Derek Harnish, Duane Hiebert, Wayne Hill, Terry Hoda, Randy Holinaty, Warren Hollinshead, Calvin Kosowan, Randy Kosowan, Steve Kosteniuk, Pat Krawec, Gilbert Leduc, Jim Lysak, Henry Mardell, Laurie Maruschak, Wayne Paczay, Don Pichette, Dale Rogozinski, Daryl Sachkowski, Marlon Sachkowski, Matt Spoonheim, Darrell Trofimuk, Ken Trofimuk, Mark Tycholiz, Sam Kalesnikoff – Coach, Mike Weisner – Trainer.

    1975-1978 Meath Park Mustangs – Team
  • Roger Mayert – Meritorious Service

    Roger Mayert – Meritorious Service

    If you have been to any Prince Albert Raiders games in the last 40 plus years, you’ve likely run into Roger Mayert. Not only has Roger been a season ticket holder since 1971, but he has also volunteered for the club in numerous capacities over the years.

    His many volunteer duties included running the ticket booth back in the ‘80s, to helping with the scout room in 2024. Roger also spent 19 years as a member of the Raiders board of directors and was heavily involved in the Bring Back the Magic Campaign in the early 2000s. The campaign helped raise money for the Art Hauser Centre to bring it up to Western Hockey League Standards.

    Roger has also helped the community in a number of other capacities, offering his services as a volunteer to:

    • Canadian Junior and Bantam Softball Championships
    • World Junior Softball Championships
    • World Men’s Softball Championships
    • Esso Cup National Championships
    • Canadian Junior and Senior Men’s and Women’s Curling Championships
    • Special Olympic Summer Games

    The City of Prince Albert is well known across Canada, and now around the world, as a top-notch host for a wide variety of sporting events. One of the reasons for the success of these events is because of the volunteers, especially ones like Roger Mayert, who tirelessly dedicates his time to anyone who comes calling.

  • Melodie Boulet – Builder

    Melodie Boulet – Builder

    Whether it’s mentoring young officials or refereeing hockey at elite levels, Melodie Boulet has had an outstanding 20-year career as a hockey official. For two decades, she has helped pave the way for female hockey officials to follow her example.

    Boulet started her officiating career with Prince Albert Minor Hockey and would soon move up the ranks to referee at elite levels. In 2010 and 2011, she was recognized for her excellence in officiating the U18 Female AAA hockey league by being named the league’s top official. In fact, in 2012, her excellence in her field was further honoured when the league named the top official award the “Melodie Boulet Top Official Award.” This solidified that her name would forever be associated with excellence in officiating in the league.

    In addition to league play, Boulet has been an official for a number of significant sporting events including: the Saskatchewan Winter Games, Mandi Schwartz Female U18 AAA tournament, 2007 Juno Cup in Prince Albert, 2007 Canada Winter Games in Whitehorse, Yukon, 2010 Esso Cup National U18 AAA female hockey championship in Regina, and the 2011 National Aboriginal hockey championship in Saskatoon.

    As a lifelong learner, Boulet continues to enhance her skills as a hockey official. She was one of only two officials from Saskatchewan who was selected for the Hockey Canada Masters of Officiating Program. In 2007, she was involved in the Hockey Canada Female Officiating Program of Excellence and officiated Canada vs Japan. Boulet is also a member of the Canada West Region Program of Excellence.

    Boulet has taken the skills she has learned on the ice and transferred her knowledge to younger officials as a mentor and supervisor. Boulet has been a high performance assignor for Hockey Saskatchewan. This includes Canada West female hockey, U18 AAA female hockey and the Female Junior Hockey League. She has also been involved with the Sask First Program and Saskatchewan Winter Games as a mentor and supervisor.

    She served as a mentor and supervisor for Cianna Lieffers throughout her development all the way to the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics.

    Boulet continues to be active and officiate all elite levels of hockey and mentor up and coming officials to help them grow and develop.