Category: 2014 Inductees

The 2014 inductees to the Prince Albert Sports Hall of Fame

  • 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.

    1972 Bantam West Hill Flyers – Team

  • Amanda Dunn – Athlete

    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.

    Amanda Dunn – Athlete

  • Bob Coffin – Builder

    Bob grew up in Colonsay where he participated in a number of school and community sports programs.  From there, he moved to Saskatoon in 1970 to attend the U of S where he was a member of the Huskie football program for 5 years and the track program for 4 years. He still holds a Canadian Intercollegiate Sport football record for most career interceptions.  He completed his Physical Education and Education degrees at the U of S. In 1974, Bob received a College of Physical Education Award for excellence in university academics, athletics, and leadership.

    During Bob’s teaching and administrative career he has received a number of coaching and service recognition awards from Football Sask., the Saskatoon Hilltops, the Saskatchewan Amateur Wrestling Association and the Saskatchewan High School Athletic Association. Bob taught and coached in the Saskatoon Public School Division for 26 years. In 2001, 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 at Carlton Bob coached football, basketball, track and field. He was part of organizing committees for provincial championships hosted by Carlton. Bob was instrumental in organizing the annual PA High Schools Small Communities Wrestling Tourney. During his time at Carlton he was a coach in either of their senior or 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 Football 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. PA Minor Football is now a recognized member of Football Sask. and the Association is actively promoting the growth of the sport of football in PA and area by hosting coaches clinics. As an executive member of the PA Minor Football Association he has worked with program co-ordinators to facilitate the growth of new programs such as Indoor Flag Football, Little Tykes and the Spring 6 Aside leagues. Upon retirement he joined the local football referees association and has worked with Barry Mihilewicz in building 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.

    Bob Coffin – Builder

  • Joseph Tesar Jr. – Athlete

    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 provincial champion, going on to win 4 times at the Canadian National level. He also won gold at the Montana State Championships, The California Open and the United States South East Regionals, often wrestling up one or two weight classes for training and development purposes.

    One of his notable accomplishments was in 1998 when Tesar struck gold in his 61kg weight .division at the CIAU (Canadian University) championships, thus helping the University of Regina Cougars team capture the overall Championship at Brock University in St. Catharines, Ontario. It was the U of R’s 1st of 2 consecutive CIAU crowns and was part of that University’s successful push to get a new field house with the new wrestling room as a major component. Despite a disabling shoulder injury, Tesar won silver at the 1999 CIAU’s and was ranked as an All Canadian three straight years at the U of R.

    This success propelled Tesar to the World University Games in Ankara, Turkey in 2000 where he was ultimately defeated by the reigning World Junior Champion from Iran.

    He also placed 7th at the 1990 World Championships in Alma, Quebec and represented his home nation of the Czech Republic at the 1996 European Championships.

    Tesar received a Business Administration Degree from the U of R with a focus in Accounting and Finance.  He briefly coached the Yorkton High School Wrestling Team 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 and briefly coached the PA Wrestling Club. Under his leadership some athletes would strike gold at the Canadians in St. John’s, Newfoundland.

    Joseph Tesar Jr. – Athlete

  • Pat Regel – Builder

    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.

    Pat Regel – Builder

  • Ryan Roznowsky – Athlete

    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.

    Ryan Roznowsky – Athlete

  • Ward Howat – Meritorious Service

    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.

    Ward Howat – Meritorious Service