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Tom Fairbairn, Stratford Ontario |
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Regional Winner: Ontario Hockey Federation |
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Greg Rowe, Hay River, North West Territories |
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Regional Winner: Hockey North |
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Randy Bouvier, Edmonton, Alberta |
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Regional Winner: Hockey Alberta |
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Dennis Todd, Regina, Saskatchewan |
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Regional Winner: Saskatchewan Minor Hockey Association |
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Eileen Swerdyliak,
Ile des Chenes. Manitoba |
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Regional Winner: Hockey Manitoba |
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Irwin Nicol, Nipigon, Ontario |
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Regional Winner: Hockey North Western Ontario |
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Marion Budarick, Amherstview, Ontario |
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Regional Winner: Ottawa District Hockey Association |
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Ghislain Dumais, Montreal, Québec |
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Regional Winner: Hockey Québec |
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Dave Wheaton, Sackville, New Brunswick |
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Regional Winner: Hockey New Brunswick |
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Sherry Ritcey, Lunenburg, Nova Scotia |
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Regional Winner: Hockey Nova Scotia |
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Cedric Gallant, Wellington, Prince Edward Island |
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Regional Winner: PEI Hockey Association |
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Eric Clarke, Blaketown, Newfoundland and Labrador |
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Regional Winner: Newfoundland and Labrador |
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Vince Harriott, North Vancouver, British Columbia |
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Regional Winner: Hockey British Columbia |
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Lee Deary, Flin Flon, Manitoba |
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“RBC’s Own” Local Hockey Leader |
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Tom Fairbairn, Stratford, ON
Regional Winner: Ontario Hockey Federation
 Canadians spend countless hours in community hockey rinks. These arenas
are often the focal points of community life, and the home base for community
leaders. In Stratford, Ontario, this community leader is Tom Fairbairn.
Fairbairn, dubbed Stratford’s “Grandfather of hockey” by
nominator Gail Smith, is a fixture in Stratford’s arena who has dedicated
thousands of hours to youth hockey in the area.
“You will not see him at awards banquets or giving speeches, but
will always see him in his hometown arena – the Allman,” said
Smith. “He has done more for sports families in this community than
is imaginably possible . . . . never in the spotlight, always behind
the scenes, always supporting the kids and coaches.”
Fairbairn’s commitment to minor hockey in Stratford began as a coach
more than three decades ago. He then served as director, vice president
and president of Stratford Minor Hockey. Fairbairn also helped found the
annual Stratford Christmas tournament, served as his region’s Ontario
Minor Hockey Association representative, and has received several community
awards.
Most recently this RBC Local Hockey Leader has dedicated his time to running
an equipment “loan/swap/rent” program to ensure that all young
players are treated equally when it comes to safety on the ice.
“Tom – who is 74 -- purchases, cleans, organizes, and distributes
sweaters, pants, socks and goalie equipment for more than 33 teams,” added
Smith. “I cannot think of anything more this man could have done for
hockey.”
Greg Rowe, Hay River, NWT
Regional winner: Hockey North
 Greg Rowe’s leadership – as a mentor and teacher for more than
20 years both on and off the ice – has left an indelible mark on minor
hockey in the North West Territories community of Hay River.
As an executive volunteering with both his local and territorial minor
hockey associations, Rowe has organized tournaments, fund raisers and helped
put his hometown on the radar of larger hockey communities and groups. He
has liaised with the National Hockey League Player’s Association Goals
and Dreams fund, and was the driving force behind achieving a place for
a team from Hay River in a prestigious international tournament recently
held in Quebec City.
“We can go to Greg with any question, and if he doesn’t have
the answer he knows where we can find it,” said Hay River’s
Sabrina Broadhead, who nominated Rowe.
As a coach, Rowe is also as reliable as they come.
“As a parent of a young girl on a boy’s team (coached by Greg)
I have always felt that I can approach Greg with any concerns that I have,
and he is always happy to share his wisdom and knowledge,” added Broadhead. “Greg
is always there and well prepared . . . . kids on all of his teams know
that Greg has a learning opportunity planned.”
Randy Bouvier, Edmonton, AB
Regional winner: Hockey Alberta
 Youth hockey isn’t often associated with the Canadian Forces. Alberta’s
2005-2006 RBC Local Hockey Leader – Randy Bouvier -- has worked hard
to change that perception in his community. As president of the Edmonton
Garrison Minor Hockey Association, Bouvier volunteers tirelessly to ensure
that every child of a Canadian Forces serving member in Edmonton has a chance
to play and experience the positive aspects of hockey.
Bouvier, a soldier with the Canadian Forces, has been driven by a special
passion for hockey since becoming involved with his local association more
than eight years ago.
“Not only is Randy the president of our Edmonton Garrison Hockey
Association, which requires an enormous amount of personal time, he also
helps coach the association’s PeeWee and Bantam teams and also finds
time to serve as a referee,” said Edmonton’s Wanda Schuba in
a nomination essay submitted on rbcinsurance.com. “Last year he was
preparing for a six month overseas deployment, yet never failed in his responsibilities
to the association.”
Noticing that older players in the association were drifting away from
the game after completing their midget level seasons, Bouvier developed
a mentor program, pairing them with Novice level teams -- to keep them involved.
Randy Bouvier, Alberta’s RBC Local Hockey Leader, has shown that
hockey can be a source of pride for any community, and is a sport that can
unite communities of many different types.
Dennis Todd , Regina, SK
Regional winner: Saskatchewan Minor Hockey Association
 The name Dennis Todd is synonymous with female hockey in Saskatchewan.
Over the past 15 years Todd has been the catalyst sparking the growth
of women’s and girls hockey in the region (from one team to the
current 24 teams in Regina alone). The long-time coach and mentor volunteers
as chairperson for female hockey with the Saskatchewan Hockey Association,
but doesn’t limit his involvement to board room meetings. Todd can
more often be found running the ice shack at his local arena, offering
play-by-play commentary for locally televised games, and visiting local
businesses to create awareness.
“Dennis is the Chairperson of Female Hockey for the Saskatchewan
Hockey Association, but that is the least of his accomplishments with
regards to female hockey in Saskatchewan,” said Regina’s Linda
Dornian in a nomination essay submitted at www.rbcinsurance.com. “He
consistently promotes female hockey and recruits even those who are too
small to skate.”
Since a first impression is a lasting impression, paying attention to
his sport at this grassroots level is perhaps Todd’s greatest contribution
to hockey in his community. By talking with new parents, serving as on-ice
coach for Novice and Initiation Jamborees and organizing annual fun skates
with older players, Todd is ensuring that participation in female hockey
will continue to grow for years to come.
Eileen Swerdyliak, Ile des Chenes, MB
Regional Winner: Hockey Manitoba
 There are dedicated hockey moms, and then there is Eileen Swerdyliak.
Dubbed the “Queen of Hockey” in Ile des Chenes by the nine
individuals who wrote nomination essays about her volunteerism, Swerdyliak
truly is her community’s local hockey leader.
“If anyone here has a hockey question, they know to contact Eileen,” said
Ile Des Chenes resident Deneen Madden in one of the nine essays nominating
Swerdyliak. “She is one of the most informed and approachable people,
and is truly involved in hockey for the kids. Eileen single-handedly organizes
events, and you know if there is a fundraiser she will be donating a large
beef BBQ pack.”
Swerdyliak, who has three children playing minor hockey in Ile des Chenes,
also volunteers as registrar for her local association. The position requires
hundreds of extra trips to the arena to pick up game sheets and organize
participants. The tireless volunteer has her fingerprints on every tournament
that is played in the region, and recently helped her community shine
by earning the right to host a high profile All Star game.
“Whether Eileen sits on a particular board or not, she always
takes care of those around her,” added Madden. “She is one
of those quiet contributors. Eileen is not just a hockey Mom, she is the
Queen of hockey in our community.”
Irwin Nicol, Nipigon, Ontario
Regional Winner: Hockey Northern Ontario
 When Irwin Nicol is recognized in the Hockey Hall of Fame as part of
the RBC Local Hockey Leaders program, all of Canada’s behind-the-scenes
hockey volunteers can stand a little taller.
Nicol, a long serving volunteer coach, referee, manager and administrator
in Nipigon, Ontario, is the epitome of the type of individual that makes
youth hockey such a powerful and important part of Canadian life.
“As Nipigon minor hockey president for the past 25 years Irwin
has continued to ensure that all children within the community can play
hockey regardless of financial stature, and has worked hard to raise funds
so that our children can play the game at an affordable rate,” said
Nipigon’s Doug Kashak in a nomination essay submitted at rbcinsurance.com.
As outlined in Kashak’s nomination, Nicol was also a driving force
behind the region’s building of a new arena in the mid 1990s, ran
the area’s power skating program for more than a decade, and regularly
attends hockey association meetings in other communities so that the children
of Nipigon have the best organized hockey possible available to them.
“It is important to note that many of the years that Irwin has
volunteered, he has done so when he has had no children in the organization,” added
Kashak. “His calm and dedicated demeanor is something we can look
up to.”
Marion Budarick , Amherstview, ON
Regional Winner: Ottawa District Hockey Association
 Nobody involved with the Loyalist Minor Hockey Association in Amherstview,
Ontario, is exactly sure how many volunteer hours Marion Budarick has logged
for her community. What is more easily measured, however, is the impact she
has had.
“ Marion is the cornerstone of minor hockey in our region,” said
Amherstview’s Marg Lawson in a nomination essay submitted at rbcinsurance.com. “You
can always find Marion at the rink in the early morning to make sure that
everything runs smoothly for the young players. And when the youth teams
are off the ice and our local Junior team begins their game, Marion can
be found still helping out, organizing the 50/50 draws and handling gate
fees.”
Budarick is like many behind-the-scenes, multi-tasking hockey volunteers
found in communities across the country. She is the ice scheduler, registrar,
house league tournament organizer, and instrumental in fund raising.
Yet what sets this RBC Local Hockey Leader apart is that she has gone
even further beyond the normal call of duty for a volunteer. Most recently
Budarick sparked Loyalist Minor Hockey’s campaign to build a second
ice pad and arranged a memorial fund in her late husband’s name
to help under-privileged children in her community play hockey.
Always ready to help, the Ottawa District’s RBC Local Hockey Leader
has even been known to sew right through the night, ensuring that all
team sweaters in her association are outfitted with sponsor bars.
Ghislain Dumais ,
Montreal, PQ
Regional winners: Hockey Québec
 Ghislain Dumais has spent the past 30 years improving and strengthening
youth hockey in his Montreal neighbourhood.
“Ghislain enables many children in our region to have extraordinarily
active lives, and he is the rock of the minor hockey program in our region,” said
Martin Deslauriers in a nomination essay. “Over the past 30 years
he has served as president, administrator, director, coach, trainer, and
on a number of provincial committees.”
Dumais has also established youth and volunteer assistance programs,
registration subsidy programs and equipment subsidy programs.
Most recently this local leader organized a community party – involving
local police and fire departments and professional sports teams – to
raise funds for new equipment and facility renovations. The initiative
was a great success, rallied other volunteers, and even enabled the association
to start an “equipment bank” for financially troubled youth
to draw upon.
“Ghislain is our true local hockey leader,” added Deslauriers,
himself a hockey volunteer in the region. “Whether it is finding
sponsors to defray enrollment costs, integrating ethnic groups from the
community into our sport, or establishing canned food drives, he is showing
his devotion to youth and the development of hockey in our community.”
Dave Wheaton, Sackville, NB
Regional winner: Hockey New Brunswick
 Dave Wheaton’s commitment to hockey in his community began as
a coach 16 years ago. Since that time his volunteer spirit has guided
him to serve formally as vice president, president, and chief referee
for minor hockey in his hometown of Sackville, New Brunswick. Informally,
this RBC Local Hockey Leader is ready to lend a hand wherever it is needed.
“If you go to our rink today there is a good chance you will find
Dave Wheaton on the ice with a group of 7 or 8 year olds, refereeing a
Midget hockey game, or even in the canteen making popcorn,” said
Sackville’s Kirby Cadman in a nomination essay submitted on rbcinsurance.com. “If
he’s not there, he’s most likely in a meeting with the local
Civic Centre board or in a Sackville Minor Hockey Committee meeting.”
Recognizing the community building effects of minor hockey in Sackville,
Wheaton was also the catalyst behind a new Civic Centre and hockey arena
in Sackville. His efforts on behalf of hockey in his community have resulted
in several awards, including a 2003 Hockey Canada Appreciation Award.
“Our hockey community counts on Dave’s dedication, dependability
and his eagerness to help. He is constantly approached by parents, players
both past and present and always seems to find time to stop and talk,” added
Cadman. “Hockey is strong in our community and our minor hockey
players now have the luxury of playing in a brand new rink. Without Dave’s
efforts this would not be true or even possible.”
Sherry Ritcey, Lunenburg, NS
Regional Winner: Hockey Nova Scotia
 Girl’s hockey in Canada is one of the world’s fastest growing
sports, thanks largely to the efforts of individuals like Lunenburg’s
Sherry Ritcey.
“With all that you hear is wrong with minor hockey, Sherry represents
all that is right,” said Edward Arab in a nomination essay submitted
at rbcinsurance.com. “If not for her hard work and determination,
female hockey on the South Shore would not exist.”
As a coach, tournament organizer and tireless advocate, Ritcey has enabled
the number of girl’s teams in her area to quadruple over the past
six years. Ritcey also serves as equipment manager for her association,
successfully fund raising for jerseys and even new goaltending equipment,
so that anyone wishing to try the position could borrow it without having
to make a sizable purchase and making the game more accessible for the
youth in her community.
“Any goaltender, from Novice right through to Midget, can now
use the association equipment if they so wish,” said Arab.
This tireless community leader also volunteers her time as ice coordinator.
“Sherry is at the rink everyday and runs all of the tournaments,” added
Arab. “She is a wonderful role model for her teams, and represents
the best of sportsmanship.”
Cedric Gallant , Wellington, PEI
Regional winner, PEI Hockey Association
 By inspiring others to follow in his footsteps as a community volunteer,
Cedric Gallant has ensured his efforts will be felt for years to come
in his hometown of Wellington.
“Cedric has had a very positive impact on hockey – but also
on other volunteers -- in our community,” said nominator Roger Gallant. “Thanks
to Cedric we don’t have any problems finding volunteers for our
big fundraisers.”
Gallant has volunteered as president of the minor hockey association
in Wellington and represents his community on the board of the Prince
Edward Island Hockey Association. The multitasking volunteer even has
acted as “official ice maker” when the rink in Wellington
had mechanical problems.
“Cedric came to the rescue, putting in countless hours to help
flood and paint the lines, and give the crew tips on what it would take
to get the ice up and running as soon as possible,” added nominator
Roger Gallant. “All of this was on his own time, during the day
or night, in the cold freezing rink so that we could have the ice ready
for those kids.”
“Cedric also started our “ Mussel Drive” fundraiser
which is very profitable, he spearheaded a committee to install heaters
in our rink, and he also organized a big fundraiser with local businesses
to purchase our arena’s first zamboni (previously the community
of Wellington had been using an old tractor and large shovel).”
Eric Clarke, Blaketown, NL
Regional Winner: Newfoundland and Labrador
 The driving force behind Eric Clarke’s 25 year volunteer commitment
to minor hockey in Trinity Placentia is a belief that no matter how small
or economically challenged a region might be, its young people deserve
a chance to play hockey.
Clarke, who resides in Blaketown, started as a coach in the association
25 years ago. Since that time he has served on dozens of committees, as
chief fund raiser in an association with a great need for funds, and as
president of the Trinity Placentia Minor Hockey Association.
“As a hockey mom and on behalf of all the hockey moms, dads and
players here, we would love to see Eric honoured in the Hockey Hall of
Fame as our special way of saying thanks for giving so much to all of
us,” said Whiteway’s Colleen Hickey in a nomination essay
submitted on rbcinsurance.com.
In 1996 Clarke established female minor hockey in the region. He continues
to coordinate practice schedules, and organized tournaments and referee
clinics. In short this RBC Local Hockey Leader represents all of the qualities
found in Canada’s greatest hockey volunteers and community leaders.
“Eric volunteers so many hours; weekends, late at night and early
in the morning,” added Hickey. “You can call on him anytime
without a second thought and he’s more than happy to help out. Many
families have faced financial difficulties that would make it impossible
to enroll their children in hockey without the assistance and dedication
of Eric Clarke. We hope that he will continue to share his leadership
in keeping hockey strong.”
Vince Harriott, North Vancouver, BC
Regional Winner: Hockey British Columbia
 Like many community hockey volunteers, Vince Harriott spends his time
coaching, raising funds and contributing ideas at board meetings. Yet
what sets this RBC Local Hockey Leader apart is his commitment to hockey
at its most elemental level -- introduction and initiation.
“Vince knows how important it is for these first experiences with
hockey to be fun and positive, so this is why he dedicates so much time
to it,” said Dave Armbruster, one of more than 40 North Vancouver
residents to submit essays nominating Harriott. “Vince runs and
coaches in our excellent initiation program – a startup program
for 5-year olds – even though his own kids are well past this age.”
If it is true that a sport is only as healthy as its grassroots, hockey
in North Vancouver has a very bright future. Vince Harriott is helping
to ensure this future by first welcoming new generations to the sport,
and then by making it fun and positive so that they stay involved.
Harriott has also contributed to hockey in his community by forging a
fund raising relationship with the area’s Western Hockey League
team – the Vancouver Giants.
“Vince Harriott is our RBC Local Hockey Leader -- an inspiration
to me and to all that know him,” added Armbruster. “He has
helped to shape the direction of hockey in our community.”
Lee Deary, Flin Flon, Manitoba
“RBC’s Own” Local Hockey Leader
(employee contest winner)
 Many young hockey players growing up in Flin Flon, Manitoba, dream
of becoming a Junior “Flin Flon Bomber”. RBC’s Own Local
Hockey Leader – Branch Manager Lee Deary – does his part to
keep this dream alive by helping to keep both the Bombers and youth hockey
alive and well in the community.
As outlined in a nomination submitted by fellow RBC employee Cindy McLean,
Deary dedicates hundreds of hours as marketing director for the Bombers,
and sitting on local hockey executive committees.
“Lee’s enthusiasm is contagious, and RBC is the fortunate
beneficiary of his positive impact and highly visible presence in our
community,” said McLean. “Lee is dedicated to finding new
ways to fundraise, he instituted a ‘ladies night out’ package
at the games, he designed a web site, and he even created a third jersey
for the team.”
“Lee helps ensure that junior hockey thrives and grows in Flin
Flon,” added McLean. “We are proud to nominate Lee. His proven
dedication and leadership, with both the hockey club and in the office,
make him our Local Hockey Leader.”
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