Category: Inductees-

The inductees of the Prince Albert Sports Hall of Fame

  • Scott Byrne – Athlete

    Prince Albert raised Scott Byrne is one of the best bullfighters in the history of the sport of rodeo. A key part of bull riding is the bull fighter who assists the bull riders in their dismounts after an 8 second ride or more importantly is there if they get in trouble trying to ride a 1,500 pound bull. Scott Byrne saved many cowboys with his skill, athletic ability and knowledge of the animal involved.

    Scott’s family moved to Prince Albert when he was two. He did all his school in the city, graduating from Carlton Comprehensive High School. He started riding bulls in High School Rodeos and won the Spiritwood Silver buckle in 1989. In 1995 Scott changed his focus following his uncle, Ryan Byrne, to become a bullfighter. He would go on to fight bulls across Western Canada until his retirement from the sport in 2016.

    Working rodeos as a bullfighter throughout the spring and summer for many years, bull riders would select who they wanted protecting them at Championship events-the most important of their season. Scott Byrne was selected many times to be the bullfighter at championships including the Calgary Stampede 16 years in a row, Professional Bull Riders (PBR) 10 years in a row, Canadian Professional Rodeo Association (CPRA) 14 years in a row, the Canadian Cowboys Association for 8 years in a row and the Manitoba Cowboys Association 3 years in a row. He received the Glen Keely Memorial Award in 2015 and was chosen Canadian Cowboy of the Year in 2016. One highlight of his career when he was asked, along with sons Brayden and Dylan, to give a private showing of Bull and Sheep fighting to Prince William and Princess Kate at the Calgary Stampede.

    After retirement Byrne continued to work in the sport of rodeo, hosting bullfighting schools in the West, helping in a program to set up protocols for Concussion and Mental Health Awareness as a result of head injuries in rodeo, and working as a colour commentator for TSN covering the PBR Canada tour.

    Scott Byrne – Athlete

  • Wendell Whitter – Builder

    Wendell Whitter was born and raised in Prince Albert and attended Prince Charles, Prince Edward, Riverside Collegiate and Carlton Comprehensive High School. While at Carlton, Wendell was an offensive lineman for the Crusaders football team, a sport that would become his life-long passion.

    He would return to the sport in 2001 when his son Kristian began his football career as an offensive lineman at Carlton. Wendell started as a manager for the Junior Crusaders before catching the coaching bug. He would attend Football Saskatchewan coaching clinics and eventually complete his Football Canada Level 1 certification. He would be an assistant coach with the Junior Crusaders from 2002-2007.

    In 2008, Whitter turned his attention to a community program associated with Prince Albert Minor Football and became the Head Coach of the newly formed River Riders peewee team for 10-12 year olds. They played in the Saskatoon Kinsmen Football League against Saskatoon teams that had players with 1 or 2 years more experience. Wendell and his staff were starting from scratch, teaching basic skills. The River Riders did not score a touchdown the entire season of that first year until their Bowl game when they did score a major. Spectators thought they had won the Grey Cup when the scored a major!

    From 2008 to 2018 Whitter wore many hats for PAMFA. He was Vice President from 2014 to 2018 and Peewee River Rider head or assistant coach from 2008 to 2018. In 2009 he started an Indoor Flag Football League for 8, 9 and 10 year olds which was a great introduction to the sport. He also coached the Spring 6 Aside Peewee program. He also represented the PAMFA at Kinsmen Football League meetings.

    Wendell Whitter’s fingerprints are all over the philosophies and beliefs of the PAMFA. He believed all kids should have access to the River Rider programs no matter what their family financial situation is; playing time occurs on a rotational basis; everyone plays; River Rider programs should offer co-ed activities with equal access for boys and girls; and, the goal for each player is to become the best they can be.

    Whitter enjoyed meeting parents and family members of his players. He always reminded his players that they were there because of the support of their parents and families. He was a great believer in succession planning and was overjoyed when River Rider alumni would return to the program to become volunteer coaches. He took great pride in the accomplishments of the PAMFA alumni as they went on to play with high school teams, Canadian Junior League and USports teams. His greatest hope was that someday one of them would play in the CFL.

    Wendell Whitter was a big part of the PAMF organization being named the Prince Albert Sports Hall of Fame Organization of the Year in April, 2018, only three months before his sudden passing. Wendell loved his family, his church, his community and his football.

    Wendell Whitter passed away July 13, 2018.

    Wendell Whitter – Builder

  • Merle Kozun – Meritorious Service

    The Kozun brothers: Andy & Merle have been key behind-the-scenes contributors to many sports and events in Prince Albert for decades and are very deserving to be inducted for Meritorious Service. The Kozun boys grew up on the family farm near Nipawin where hard work and dedication was instilled in both at a young age.

    Both boys attended elementary school in Aylsham before going to Nipawin for junior and senior high school. Both learned trades in the automotive industry and eventually would move to Prince Albert to pursue their careers and start their families.

    Andy and Merle’s daughters both played ringette and both dad’s were highly involved, a trend that would continue over the years. Andy coached the Carton Park Bunnies ringette team from 1995-2000 while Merle coached and managed the East End Ringette and North East Mighty Ducks ringette teams through the late 1990’s to 2006, highlighted by the Mighty Ducks winning gold at Provincial B Belle championships in 2004 and silver in 2006.

    Andy also became very involved with his children in softball, soccer and skiing. He coached a mite girls’ team to the city finals in 2000. In soccer he coached both indoor and outdoor teams for Crescent Acres from 2000-2003, including going to the finals in 2002 and winning the city championship in 2003. In downhill skiing, Andy assisted coaching which involved organizing equipment and arranging bus trips to Wapiti with the Nancy Greene ski team.

    Merle became very involved with the East End curling rink and was part of the committee that worked to install artificial ice in the facility.

    As a tandem, the Kozun brothers are well known around the city for their volunteer and fund raising abilities for many organizations. Both have been very involved in the volunteer driven Prince Albert Raiders organization, not only at games, but also fund raising for Bring Back the Magic. Both also were part of the volunteer grounds crew of the highly successful 2018 Junior Men’s World Softball Championship making sure PA’s facilities were world class throughout the event.

    But aside from all this, both Kozun’s are best known for their involvement with the Prince Albert Mintos Midget AAA team. Both have been on the Board of Directors and helped establish the Mintos as one of the premier organizations in Canada. They were a big part of the first ever-Midget Outdoor game in 2013, the Western Regionals in 2014, building the Minto fitness centre in 2017 and their overall contribution to a successful organization. The Mintos have had success off the ice winning back to back nationals and provincial championships, and the Kozun boys were a key part of making sure everything off the ice was of a championship nature.

    In all of the areas mentioned, the Kozun brothers were the first to step up and volunteer for anything and everything from selling tickets, raising funds, collecting garbage, going door-to-door raising funds and many other duties.

    Merle Kozun – Meritorious Service

  • Luc Robin – Meritorious Service

    Luc Robin is a highly sought after and valuable volunteer due to his knowledge, hard work, dedication and willingness to come up with and implement, solutions for all groups and associations with which he is involved. He is known for his work in Female Hockey and Softball throughout Prince Albert.

    Robin has been coaching Hockey in Prince Albert for 33 years and has been a board member of the Association since 1988. Along with his good friend Jim Flynn, Robin has guided the Midget AA program for 31 of those years. He assists in running the annual Female Hockey Tournament, which is one of the largest in Western Canada, and has been on the Nor-Sask Female League executive since 2012 and is currently their Vice-President.

    In 2014 Robin was awarded the Hockey Canada Century Tour Canadian Tire Heroes of Play Award which celebrates and recognizes the “behind-the-scenes” people who contribute to the success of hockey in Canada. He also received the Prince Albert Minor Hockey Presidents Award in 2014.

    In the world of Softball, Robin also was a well-respected coach for both male and female teams over 12 years. He served on the Executive of PA Minor Softball for 15 years and was a founding member of the Aallcann Development Fastpitch Organization (ADFO).

    If there is a major hockey or softball event in the city, Luc Robin is usually one of the first to volunteer and gregariously offers his time to not only make sure events are executed with ease, but also is the guy you go to for electrical, mechanical or structural challenges, as he will get a solution, most times, fixing things himself.

    Luc Robin also has been a member of the East Hill Community Club Executive for 31 years, and a member of the St. Michael Knights of Columbus for 30 years. 

    Luc Robin is being inducted for Meritorious Service.

    Luc Robin – Meritorious Service

  • Derek Smith – Athlete / Builder / Meritorious Service

    Derek Smith is a rare individual who has accomplished so much, and affected so many things, he is a triple inductee as an athlete, builder and for meritorious service.

    As a competitor Derek Smith excelled in volleyball and softball at many levels. In volleyball he was a stand out for the St.Mary Marauders and Prince Albert Toppers club team. He helped the Marauders to Provincial gold in 1994. Smith and the Toppers won Provincial gold and Canadian silver in 1995 with Derek being named to the All-Star team at nationals. He would go on to red shirt with the University of Saskatchewan Huskies volleyball team.

    Smith was a dominant pitcher in softball starting with PA Minor Softball in the Squirt B division in 1988 winning B Provincials with the MacDowall Monarchs. There were numerous accolades for Smith through the 1990’s in softball including gold at the Midget Canadians in 1995 with the PA Ken-Gar Selects where he was named tournament MVP. Smith was named the Softball Saskatchewan Athlete of the Year and adding his volleyball prowess, he was named the Kinsmen/900CKBI Athlete of the Year for 1995.

    More softball honours came his way in the late 90’s including a Canadian championship with the PA Northern Business Selects in 1996, Junior Canadians Silver with the Saskatoon Junior Merchants in 1997, pitching again at Junior Men’s nationals in 1998 and finally an appearance in the Australian Men’s Fastpitch championship in 1999. The year 2000 saw Smith help the Prince Albert Aallcann Astros to the Senior A provincial title and an appearance at nationals, followed by various Senior A, National and International Softball Congress appearances with the Saskatoon Merchants.

    Derek Smith then pulled back some from playing to get into coaching and mentoring, in a big way. That success in competition built the foundation for a coach that also has accumulated a stellar resume in volleyball and softball.

    In softball, Derek Smith has been coaching since 2005, starting, like in his playing days, with PA Minor Softball. His success reflects his knowledge of the sport and ability to teach skills to young athletes. He followed his boys Riley and Ethan through the age classes with success including U12 Provincial gold (2012), U14 Provincial and Western Canadian Gold (2015), U14 Silver (2016 & 2017), U18 Provincial Silver & National Bronze (2017) culminating with the 2017 Softball Saskatchewan Coach of the Year Award in 2017.

    His volleyball, coaching also is rather decorated, starting in 2013 with the Smashing Bananas program. He lead his team to a Nationals appearance for U16 in 2016 and won Provincial Bronze with another appearance in Nationals in 2017 and a Provincial Bronze in 2018.

    For all of the tremendous successes Derek Smith has had as an athlete and coach, he is also a go-to organizer. He organized and has been President of the Prince Albert Community Basketball Association since 2010. He has grown that program from a couple of dozen young players in it’s inception to hundreds learning the sport of basketball. He administers the entire association including organizing coaches, gym times, registration, website, tournaments and more.

    In softball he has been on executives of PAMSA and ADFO and one of the key organizers of Project Triple Play, which saw Derek Smith as the co-chair of the WBSC Junior Men’s Softball World Championships in July 2018. According to WBSC, that event was one of the best ever at the World level. Smith and Co-Chair Felix Casavant were named the Prince Albert Kinsmen Club/Daily Herald Citizens of the Year for 2018. The event left a lasting legacy of 2 world-standard diamonds as well as hosting the first ever World Championship in Prince Albert that will be remembered for decades.    

    Derek Smith will be inducted as an Athlete, Builder and for Meritorious Service.

    Derek Smith – Athlete / Builder / Meritorious Service

  • Paul Roy – Builder

    Paul Roy became involved in rugby as a player with the Fredericton Exiles RFC from 1979-1985. This chapter included league, provincial, and maritime championships. The opportunities that provincial teams, tournaments, tours and eventful road trips offer a young athlete proved to be too much to resist. The sparks of a life-long attachment to rugby were struck and kindled. 

    Convocating with his education degree from UNB in Spring of 1985, Roy received a job offer “out west,” and he made a life-changing move to Saskatchewan. On October 6th, he played his initial rugby match in his new home province. It was also the eventful day he met teammate Mark McElligott, and an enduring friendship and collaboration were set in motion.

    In 1987 along with other teammates, he set in motion a mini-rugby program at Riverside, Boucher and Holy Cross schools, introducing rugby to Grade 7-9 boys. Following two successful years, the budding youth program was cut short, as co-collaborators’ career moves brought an end to this first attempt to develop local youth rugby. In the following decade, Roy was involved with the Prince Albert Gryphons RFC as a player, coach, and referee until that team’s era drew to a close in 1995.

    A second attempt followed in 2002, as Roy introduced the sport to a group of eager Grade 7-9 students attending PACI. The following year, McElligott and students from Carlton Comprehensive High School came on board. As a result of this significant collaboration, the fledgling team then competed in exhibition games for two years and, as the Sask. Rivers Dragons, successfully joined the North Saskatchewan High School Rugby League in 2005.

    Prince Albert rugby has been on the upswing ever since, thrilling their supporters with constant and continued success at league and provincial competitions. From 2002 to 2019, some 220 local-area student athletes have suited up for the Dragons. Prince Albert and area players compete each year for Saskatchewan at age-group regional and national competitions.

    The groundwork laid over the years resulted in the genesis of a senior men’s team to represent the area: The Prince Albert Whiskey Jacks RFC. Formed in 2015, with a core of former Dragons providing players, support, and sponsorship, the Whiskey Jacks celebrated the 2018 provincial championship.

    The domino effect has also produced a dedicated Dragons’ alumni who now coach and promote the sport, a mini-rugby program, and in 2019 the formation of a local girls’ team. These developments highlight the ongoing growth and development of local rugby, and open up possibilities for aspiring athletes of both genders in the Prince Albert and area community.   

    Over the past 35 years of coaching, inspiring, mentoring, and developing lasting relationships with local student athletes, Roy has dedicated countless hours to fostering the growth and recognition of the sport of rugby in Prince Albert.

    Paul Roy is inducted as a Builder into the Prince Albert Sports Hall of Fame.

    Paul Roy – Builder

  • Blake Edwards – Builder

    Blake Edwards became involved boxing upon moving to Prince Albert in 1996 joining the K.O. Combinations Club under Bob Tichkowsky and Braddock Koch. He worked hard at training to improve his strength and personal well-being. He thrived under the coaching of the two PA Sports Hall of Fame inductees Tichkowsky and Koch and developed a strong passion for the sport. Often he would be called upon to teach and coach competitors and non-competitors alike.

    The Boxing Club fell on difficult times financially and eventually closed in 1999.  A few years later, Edwards took the initiative to revive the sport and soon after was in contact with Koch to rekindle boxing in PA.  Through hard work and determination with many volunteers, they found and modified a facility, purchased equipment and brought boxing back.  Edwards, who trained and coached at the club, was instrumental in fundraising to sustain the sport. With the assistance of volunteers he would host dances to raise money for the club in order to keep the fees low for members.

    One of Edward’s greatest fund raising ventures was R U Tuff Enuff. The concept was to have boxers who had no previous competitions, take part in an event for prize money, in 3 male weight divisions and an open women’s division. Edwards knew it was a daunting undertaking, so he approached the Prince Albert Kinsmen Club, which he was a member of, and the idea was developed in 2001 with the first event in 2002. The first two years the event was held in the SIAST Gymnasium with sold out crowds of over 1,000 spectators. The event then moved to the Comuniplex and was a significant fund raiser through 2015, becoming the largest event of its kind in Canada.  The budget grew from $600 to $60,000 and provided significant revenues to the coffers of the Boxing Club.

    R U Tuff Enuff provided a spike in the interest of boxing. Edwards was the go-to person taking calls from potential fighters, to coaching them, to assisting them in the ring during events. Each event featured between 25 and 32 fighters, many of which were influenced by Edwards.

    On the administrative side of the sport, in order for R U Tuff Enuff to operate, a boxing commission was required as the event was deemed professional due to the prize money being awarded. Edwards spearheaded the commission with the assistance of City lawyers and others to make sure the provinces first professional boxing event in decades was hosted in Prince Albert in 2004.

    In R U Tuff Enuff’s final year, 2015, the event became a Golden Gloves boxing event due to national regulations. Again Edwards was front and centre hosting over 20 bouts featuring boxers from northern Alberta, Manitoba and Saskatchewan. He was in the corner for many local boxers helping them win Golden Gloves, one of the most prestigious awards for amateur boxers.

    Edwards coached Junior Boxing which has allowed his own children Aiden, Logan and Sara to learn the sport along with many others. He continues to coach a boxing program for 5-14 year olds with many graduating to the main club.

    Blake Edwards – Builder

  • Mark McElligott – Builder

    Mark McElligott’s passion for the game of rugby, and friendship with Paul Roy, has resulted in the development of the sport in Prince Albert. McElligott played rugby in Saskatoon for Holy Cross High School and the Wild Oats of the North Saskatchewan Rugby League, before attending St. Francis Xavier University in Antigonish, where he played for the X-Men. In the mid-80’s McElligott moved to Prince Albert to work for CIBC and joined the Prince Albert Gryphons Rugby Club. He was a leader on that team as a player and coach, including being a team captain through 1995 when the Gryphons ceased operation.

    In 2001, McElligott teamed up with Roy to develop a high school rugby program leading to the Prince Albert Dragons who joined the North Saskatchewan Junior Rugby League in 2002. The Dragons were made up of high school players from the public school division and played in the North Saskatchewan Junior Rugby League. The year 2018 marked the 16th season for the Dragons who finished 1st or 2nd fourteen times.

    The debut of the Prince Albert Whiskey Jacks senior team came in 2015, initiated by McElligott and Roy. The two were instrumental in coaching, fundraising and guiding the club with hard work and determination. McElligott also was a key player with the Whiskey Jacks, who would win the second division title in 2017 then the provincial crown in 2018.

    In 2016 McElligott and Roy teamed up again to create Prince Albert Mini Rugby. This program is for children aged 3-14 to be introduced to rugby and had 70 registrations who would have the opportunity to learn from the two veteran coaches.

    McElligott has coached, mentored and developed over 200 student-athletes in the Dragons program from its inception in 2002 through to 2018. Dragon players to go on to play at a National level with the Prairie Wolf Pack and Prairie Blizzard include: Rylan Gibb, Ashton Milligan, Tristen Franc, Kaleb Beauchesne and Jesse Mourot, among others. Franc and Milligan have also played internationally for the Dog River Howlers during South American tours.

    Rugby in Prince Albert exists because of the friendship of Mark McElligott and Paul Roy and their hard work, time, knowledge, skills, determination, sacrifice and love of the game.

    Mark McElligott joins the Prince Albert Sports Hall of Fame in the Builders category.

    Mark McElligott – Builder

  • Blair Hoffman – Athlete / Meritorious Service

    A lifetime of competing in hockey, baseball and slo-pitch with success at many different levels makes Blair Hoffman one of Prince Albert’s most decorated athletes. From 1960 through 2018 (58 years and counting), Hoffman did not miss a season of playing in either hockey or baseball.

    Hoffman is a baseball and slo-pitch veteran in many ways. After playing minor ball in the Battleford area where he grew up, Hoffman would join the North Battleford Beavers organization where he was part of a winning organization. In 1968 with the Midget team they would win the Provincial championship and finish 2nd at Westerns. The Junior team would win 2 league titles between 1969-73 with Hoffman on the roster, then he played with the senior Beavers from 19971-73.

    He them would join the Naicam Vikings of the Central Baseball League in 1974 and be there player/coach the following season. Hoffman was the league all-star centre fielder both seasons. He would then go on to play with the Birch Hills Brewers of the Torch River Baseball League from 1976-81, winning 4 titles there.

    The Prince Albert Oldtimers (35 years plus) added Hoffman from 1986-2002. During this time Hoffman was awarded the Sask Baseball Ten Year Appreciation Award for his support of the Twilite Baseball program in the province.

    Slo-Pitch is the sport in which Hoffman has the most notoriety, many because it provides opportunities for players to compete throughout their lifetime. He started with the Taco Time Men’s Molson League Slo-Pitch tam from 194-88 winning league MVP honours in 1986. As a member of the Prince Albert Old Spikes 40 Plus Slo-Pitch team Hoffman would be part of the SPN Championship team in 1994, then National silver medallists in 1996 as well as numerous Provincial titles in the 90’s.

    Hoffman played with the Prince Albert Legends Plus 50 Slo-Pitch team from 2002-2015 winning three Bronze medals at the Plus 50 SPN Nationals and 1 silver & 1 bronze at the Plus 60 SPN Nationals.

    A major international accomplishment for Hoffman is at the Huntsman World Senior Games conducted annually in St. George, Utah. Hoffman has competed for teams out of St. Albert, Albert (the Buzzards and Combines) for 13 consecutive years (from 2005-2018 and counting), winning no less than 10 medals including 4 gold, 3 silver and 3 bronze. This makes Hoffman the most decorated Huntsman World Senior Games Slo-Pitch athlete from Saskatchewan over the 24 sports all-time at these games.

    Hoffman also has competed at hockey starting in minor days, to university intramurals, senior and old timers for close to 60 years. He has skated with the Prince Albert Silver Foxes Oldtimers team since 1978 (32 years and counting) winning the West Hill tournament and Melfort Oldtimers tournament on numerous occasions.

    Blair Hoffman’s extensive and storied career in baseball, slo-pitch and hockey have represented the City of Prince Albert proudly through close to 6 decades of competition.

    Blair Hoffman – Athlete / Meritorious Service

  • Don & Ethel Hlewka – Builders

    Prince Albert’s Minto Bowl has been a second home for thousands of Prince Albert residents for over 50 years since Don & Ethel Hlewka took over the operation in 1968. Family has always been the theme for the Hlewka’s and it has resulted in a lifetime of memories for many at Minto Bowl.

    In 1967 Don & Ethel began negotiations with Art Swift to purchase the original location of Minto Bowl: 154 – 8th Street. However, before the final deal was reached a fire damaged the alleys. Don told Swift if he rebuilt the alleys he would buy them. That transaction was completed in April, 1968 and Don & Ethel became the owners of Minto Bowl which featured 11 mixed leagues, 1 men’s league and  the introduction of the Youth Bowling Council.

    In 1983, with the popularity of bowling and expanding numbers, the Hlewka’s would move to a much larger location beside Superstore. This new facility would include 20 lanes and the opportunity to modernize. The Hlewka’s always wanted to stay on top of new trends in the industry to keep bowlers coming back and attracting new ones, so they would make improvements over the years. This included new seating, a lounge, computerized scoring and overhead monitors showing scores, and the ever-popular Saturday Night Glow Bowling! During a 6-year period in the 80’s YBC bowling was at an all-time high at Minto Bowl with over 400 youth taking part each week.

    With Superstore eyeing expansion, and looking to purchase the alley, Don looked to buy the land where North American Lumber was located on 13th Street East. So, in 2004, another new location was purchased allowing the Hlewka’s to expand again, and introduce the Minto Bowl Recreation Centre. The new location includes 20 lanes and allows for more recreational activities for families.

    Prince Albert YBC bowlers prospered out of Minto Bowl with no less than 68 provincial champions and 19 National medalists: 3 gold and 16 Silver & Bronze coming from P.A.  Don would serve 9 years as the Chairman of the Youth Bowling Council in Saskatchewan.  Across Canada, Minto Bowl ranked 2nd or 3rd for YBC registration for 17 years.

    Minto Bowl was the pride and joy of Don & Ethel.  Since Ethel’s passing in January, 2018. Don Sr. has been joined on the staff by his son Derek, and Derek’s son Mark in providing a high quality, family-friendly bowling facility in Prince Albert.

    Don & Ethel Hlewka are inducted into the Prince Albert Sports Hall of Fame together in the builders category.

    Don & Ethel Hlewka – Builders