Category: Inductees

The inductees of the Prince Albert Sports Hall of Fame

  • 1995 PA Optimist Toppers – Team

    The 1995 PA Optimist Toppers were a team for the volleyball record books in Prince Albert.

    The team first found success in 1994, when several of the team members played for the Toppers and were crowned provincial champions. From there, 1995 would be their year as players from Prince Albert, Kinistino, Tisdale, Melfort, Birch Hills and MacDowall  came together to play for a dominant Toppers team that would make Prince Albert sports history.

    After earning their right to attend nationals in Prince Edward Island, the team needed to raise more than $20,000 in just three weeks in order to make the trip. In addition to practicing on the court during those three weeks, they were also out in the community raising money through various fundraising events.

    All of the teamwork paid off as the ’95 Toppers were able to afford the trip and were the first team to represent Prince Albert at nationals. They would go on to win a silver medal. Team members were:

    • Mike Davis
    • Jesse Ens
    • Scott Graham
    • Christian Hudon
    • Jeff Hunt
    • Brad Hvidston
    • Tyler Kabatoff
    • Dan Lloyd
    • Rene Quintal
    • Derek Smith
    • Joey Stabner
    • Kent Vermett

    Coaches: Griff Peet, Dale Regel

    In addition to the team silver medal, the Toppers had a few individual award winners at Nationals. Scott Graham was named the Most Valuable Player and Derek Smith was recognized as an all-star.

    Although a number of the players on this team had previously played against each other on opposing teams, they all came together as one in Prince Edward Island on their way to winning the silver medal.

  • 2023 Esso Cup Host Committee

    The 2023 Esso Cup in Prince Albert was five years in the making. A bid package to host the 2020 version of Hockey Canada’s U18 AAA club championship was submitted in 2018. After numerous delays due to COVID-19, the host organizing committee guided a very successful event in 2023 that will leave a lasting legacy for the development of female hockey in Prince Albert and area.

    After awarding the 2020 Esso Cup to Prince Albert in late 2018, Hockey Canada was forced to cancel the event 38 days before it began due to the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. The pandemic also cancelled the 2021 event, with Hockey Canada choosing to host the Esso Cup and the U18 AAA boys’ championship in Calgary in 2022.

    Finally, after years of waiting, the Prince Albert Host Organizing Committee (HOC) was pleased to host six teams in the 2023 event at the Art Hauser Centre from April 23-29. It was a very full week of events and hockey for the five regional champions and the host Prince Albert Northern Bears. The teams not only played some incredible hockey, but also enjoyed Prince Albert hospitality including a welcome event featuring live music, an opening banquet, the Hockey House, visits to games by many city elementary schools and more.

    A team of 140 volunteers were led by the host organizing committee members: Robin Wildey (chair) Al Dyer and Bruce Vance (Special Events and Sponsorship), Luc Robin and Jim Flynn (Operations) Kerry Vezeau (Finance), Laura Quesnel (Ticketing), Michelle Grimard (Administration), and Laurie Huet and Taryn Svenson (Volunteers).

    Female hockey in Prince Albert and area will benefit from the success of the event, which will see close to $30,000 go toward areas including scholarships, grass roots development, as well as equipment and facility enhancements.

    2023 Esso Cup Host Committee
  • Ashley Viklund – Athlete

    Ashley Viklund – Athlete

    Ashley Viklund made her mark on the football scene as an athlete and a coach. Viklund was always interested in playing football as a youngster growing up in Prince Albert. However, there were not a lot of opportunities for young females to play tackle football.

    Viklund’s football career took off in 2012 when she became a member of the Regina Riot Women’s Tackle Football team. During her time with the Riot, she was a two-time winner as the most valuable offensive lineman and also received the honour of being named the most valuable offensive player.

    Viklund began playing for the Saskatoon Valkyries Women’s Tackle Football team in 2018. During her tenure, the Valkyries won three championships and she received the most valuable lineman award in 2021.

    On the provincial front, she was named to the Saskatchewan provincial team in 2012, winning a silver medal. She also helped her team win gold in 2016 and was recognized as an all-star.

    Viklund made her mark in football on the international stage, representing Canada twice at the Women’s Football World Championships. Team Canada took home a silver medal in 2017 and placed fourth in 2022.

    Outside of football, Viklund competed in ringette, equestrian and powerlifting. In 2016, she took home bronze at the National Powerlifting Championships and in 2021 was named the top female lifter for Saskatchewan Powerlifting.

    Viklund also took the time to develop young football players as a coach for Prince Albert Minor Football and the U18 Women’s Tackle Football provincial team, bringing home a silver medal as the special teams co-ordinator and offensive line coach in 2022. She is an NCCP certified positional coach in Tackle Football and a Level 1 referee.

    Ashley Viklund – Athlete
  • Al Dyer – Meritorious Service

    Al Dyer – Meritorious Service

    Al Dyer has spent a good portion of his lifetime contributing to his community with his work for Special Olympics, Nordale Community Club and female hockey in Prince Albert and beyond.

    Dyer was introduced to the sports scene in Prince Albert volunteering as the accreditation chair for the 1999 Western Canada Summer Games. He also was part of the committee doing the preliminary planning and initial stage construction for the Rotary Trail.

    Dyer began his work with Special Olympics in 2000 when the Special Olympics Canada Games were awarded to Prince Albert. He would go on to manage the very successful 2002 event. He joined the Saskatchewan Special Olympics board in 2004 and held various positions including board chair and mission staff until 2017. In 2011, Dyer was chair of the host committee for the 2011 Special Olympics Saskatchewan Winter Games. In 2013, he was awarded an honourary life membership in Special Olympics Saskatchewan.

    In 2014, Dyer was recognized for the time he gave to Special Olympics and received the Saskatchewan Sport Volunteer Award. His accolades didn’t end there. In November of 2015, he received the Harry “Red” Foster award from Special Olympics Canada. The award is made available by Special Olympics Canada for presentation to an individual, Special Olympics Chapter staff or volunteer who best exemplifies the spirit, philosophy and goals of the Special Olympics movement and has contributed significantly in the development, awareness and success of Special Olympics in Canada.

    In 2019, Dyer was honoured at a 50th anniversary Special Olympics gala ceremony in Toronto. He was recognized as one of the 50 top builders for Special Olympics Canada.

    Dyer also worked with the Prince Albert Raiders to help co-ordinate the Special O Power Breakfast. The event ran for 10 years and raised a total of $100,000 for the Raiders Education Fund and Special Olympics.

    In 2014, Dyer was chair of the host committee for the Saskatchewan Winter Games. This multi-sport, week-long event brought thousands of athletes, coaches and spectators to Prince Albert, showcasing the many wonderful facilities in the city.

    Dyer also served on the SaskSport Board of Directors serving a three-year term beginning in 2017. Subsequently, he served on the SaskSport Sport Funding Committee which oversees funding from Sask Lotteries for the 78 member sport organizations and districts in Saskatchewan.

    His work with hockey began in 2006 when he volunteered his time to Prince Albert Minor Hockey in coaching and managerial positions on his daughter’s hockey teams. He also assisted PA Minor Hockey, serving on a committee to implement a major structural and governance review.

    He began his tireless volunteer work with the Prince Albert Northern Bears U18 AAA hockey team in 2017 when he became a member of the board of directors. In 2022, Dyer was co-winner of the Esso Volunteer Award from the Saskatchewan Female U18 AAA Hockey league. His work with the Bears culminated in 2023 when he was part of the organizing committee for the Esso Cup which saw Prince Albert as the host city for the National Female U18 AAA club hockey championships. As co-chair of the marketing and sponsorship committee, Dyer helped create a legacy of $30,000 that will go toward the development of female hockey in Prince Albert and area. Dyer continues to serve as the Northern Bears’ treasurer.

    Dyer also spent 25 years as a member of the Nordale Community Club board. During that time, he held a variety of positions including President, helping to co-ordinate everything from hall rentals and playground construction to outdoor ice maintenance. 

    Al Dyer – Meritorious Service
  • Brad and Tyson Fetch – Builder

    Brad and Tyson Fetch – Builder

    The names Brad and Tyson Fetch are synonymous with the development of lacrosse in Prince Albert.

    The brothers have held many different hats with Prince Albert lacrosse from referee, to coach, to scheduler, equipment manager and more. Brad Fetch played lacrosse as a youngster, so he was thrilled to become involved as a coach beginning in 2000 when Prince Albert lacrosse was formed.

    Brad’s coaching started out at the local level, schooling players on the ins and outs of the games and getting them to play at the provincials so they could see how strong the play was at that level. Each year, the gap between Prince Albert and the other teams decreased and many of the PA teams began to medal at provincials. Brad also coached the Zone 8 team at the Saskatchewan Summer Games in 2008. The team would go on to win bronze at that event. Brad coached Team Saskatchewan at Nationals in 2006, 2007 and 2009.

    Brad was the president of Prince Albert Box Lacrosse from 2005-2007 and referee in chief since 2008. He also served as the referee in chief for the province for three years from 2014-2017. His success as a referee was noted by his peers, being nominated as the official of the year six times and winning the award in 2013 and 2015.

    Tyson Fetch followed in his brother’s footsteps and got involved in all aspects of lacrosse, joining the board in 2007 as the aboriginal liaison. He took over as president the following year and remained as president until 2017. In addition to his board duties, Tyson also coached and would always bring one or two teams to provincials. In fact, during his 18 years of involvement in coaching he led 47 different lacrosse teams including the first ever female team in the league. 

    His coaching successes included assistant coach for the PeeWee team representing Saskatchewan at nationals and head coach for the U19 Women in the North American Indigenous games in 2017 where they were part of making history as it was the first time lacrosse was included for women at the games.

    One of Tyson’s biggest coaching passions was the Prince Albert Predators who play in the Prairie Gold Lacrosse League. He started out as the assistant coach in 2011 and then move onto head coach. In 2018, Tyson’s second year as head coach, the Predators won their first championship since the club’s inception into the league. In 2022, Tyson was nominated as coach of the year for the Saskatchewan Lacrosse Association. After nine seasons, Tyson stepped down as coach of the Predators, but in order to keep building the sport, he stayed on as a consultant.

    Brad and Tyson both have a profound respect for the game of lacrosse through the lens of Indigenous Peoples. They always took great care in their relationship with the Mistawasis community and for many years brought teams to play in Prince Albert. They also prided themselves in keeping registration fees low in an effort to remove any financial barriers families may have. In addition, they helped launch the first all-female team in Prince Albert and worked to have all players feel valued, accepted and included.   

    Brad Fetch – Builder
    Tyson Fetch – Builder
  • Francois Fournier – Athlete/Builder

    Francois Fournier – Athlete/Builder

    From an early age, Francois Fournier was involved in athletics. He started out as a member of the Prince Albert Gymnastics Club at the age of seven. By the time he was 15 he would place in the top three as an all-around gymnast in various meets including two seconds and one third place finish.

    However, his accolades in athletics didn’t stop with gymnastics. He was also a keen competitor with the Prince Albert Polar Bear Swim Club with many first to third place ribbons to show for his hard work.
    In basketball, he helped his St. Mary High School team win a city and provincial championship. In addition, his Molson Canadian Men’s Basketball Team claimed the Molson’s Northern Classic Championship in 1983, 1984 and 1985. Fournier also served as a basketball referee for many years and was awarded the Clayton Shaw Basketball Association Referee of the Year award for his commitment to excellence.
    Fournier was one of the driving forces who helped resurrect competitive swimming in Prince Albert in the mid 70’s. As co-coach of the Prince Albert Kinsmen Aquatic Association (PAKAA), Fournier saw nine of his 14 swimmers qualify for provincials in their very first year. By the end of the second year, the PAKAA advanced from a fifth place ranking in Northern Saskatchewan to first.
    In addition to swimming, Fournier also completed his diving level 1 instructor course and passed on his knowledge to young divers as he coached them in the sport.
    As a builder, Fournier was instrumental in bringing a water show to Memorial Pool for residents of Prince Albert to enjoy. There were demonstrations on everything from swimming, to diving to lifeguarding and speed swimming. It was at this water show that the World Famous Flying Tanks were born. This group would go on to entertain at water shows across Saskatchewan in the 70’s and 80’s. They were well known for their skits and crazy, non-stop stunt dives.
    On the national front, Fournier served as Vice President, Canadian Amateur Diving Association; 1981-1985. During this time, Fournier also helped implement a marketing campaign for Canadian Diver and Olympic gold medalist, Sylvie Bernier.
    Fournier was a member of the organizing committee for the 1989 Canada Summer Games diving competition and chairman of the 1990 National Diving Championships. He was recognized for his work by the Canadian Amateur Diving Association and presented with an award as an athlete and a builder.
    Internationally, Fournier was the chairman of the Dive Canada International meet and received a certificate of merit for his work as an announcer at Universiade in 1983.


    Locally, Fournier served his community of Prince Albert as a member of city council and a Director with the Prince Albert Raiders.

    Francois Fournier – Athlete/Builder
  • Jennifer Ferguson – Builder

    Jennifer Ferguson – Builder

    As a teacher and school administrator, Jennifer Ferguson has done more than shape young minds. Her more than 20-year dedication to coaching softball, basketball and soccer has helped to build a community of well-rounded students as they move from the classroom to adulthood.

    Ferguson began coaching in Prince Albert in 2002. She took on the task of not only coaching senior girls’ basketball and soccer at Carlton Comprehensive High School, but also took to the diamonds to become a coach with the Prince Albert Aces. She immediately had an impact on the teams she coached taking home a number of medals regionally, provincially and throughout western Canada.

    In soccer, Ferguson coached senior girls at Carlton from 2002-2016. During this time, her team was crowned the regional champions five times and brought the provincial gold medal home to Prince Albert in 2009 and 2013. They were also two-time provincial silver medalists in 2015 and 2016, and brought home the bronze in 2012.

    Carlton Comprehensive High School and Prince Albert were also well represented by the senior girls basketball teams Ferguson coached. During her tenure from 2002-2023, Carlton was crowned the regional champions a total of nine times and silver medalists three times. Under Ferguson, the teams also did very well at provincials winning gold in 2010, silver in 2007, and bronze in 2009, 2016 and 2018. The senior girls’ basketball team was always very competitive and tough to play against with Ferguson at the helm.

    Her commitment to young women in Prince Albert and area expanded beyond the walls of the high school. Ferguson has been a coach with minor softball’s development teams for more than 20 years. The Prince Albert Aces and their players have been the benefactors of Ferguson’s knowledge of the game and ability to mentor and coach young girls.

    The winning came early and often for Ferguson when she started to coach softball. In 2003, her Squirt team was provincial champions. The next two years, saw provincial championships in Pee Wee for Ferguson and a trip to Western Canadians, winning a bronze medal at the Western Canadian Championships in 2005 when Prince Albert was the host team. In 2009 and 2010, the Midget Aces would bring home the provincial championship to Prince Albert. The 2010 team also won gold at the Western Canadian Championships. The winning continued with that same team in 2011 when they graduated to the Junior age group. In that year, they won provincials and brought home silver at the Western Canadian Championships. Ferguson was recognized for her excellence in 2010, being named the Kinsmen Sportsman of the year.

    In 2013, Ferguson helped lead the Bantam Aces, who were perceived as an underdog, to a gold medal at Western Canadians in Winnipeg. In 2014, Ferguson’s Bantam Aces team would win provincials and advance to nationals and the next year they would take home a provincial silver medal in the Midget category and again advance to nationals.

    Ferguson’s impact on the athletes she has coached is evident long after they move from the minor sports ranks as many have continued on to have success in university and college sports.

    Jennifer Ferguson – 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
  • 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
  • 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