Hockey Canada's 2008 National Award Winners Announced; George Kallay of AB Named Volunteer of The Year

QUEBEC CITY, QC – Hockey Canada honoured a number of Canadian hockey community leaders on Friday night for the 2007-08 season, at its annual general meeting in Quebec City, QC, including George Kallay of Drumheller, AB, who was named volunteer of the year.

Nominees were submitted by Hockey Canada’s 13 member branches and the winners were chosen by Hockey Canada’s officers of the board, or the appropriate Hockey Canada council. The success of minor hockey associations in Canada depends heavily on volunteers and Hockey Canada was pleased to recognize the individuals who contribute greatly to the game of hockey in Canada.

George Kallay is the chairperson of the Hockey Alberta Foundation. He has been involved in hockey in the province for many years and in various capacities, including coaching, scouting, officiating and team management. As well, Kallay was chair of Hockey Canada’s development council for a number of years.

Following is a complete list of award winners.

Dawn Moase, Chelton, PEI (Hockey PEI)
Female breakthrough

George Kallay, Drumheller, AB (Hockey Alberta)
Volunteer of the Year

Wes Smith, Saskatoon, SK (Saskatchewan Hockey Association)
Officiating award

Jack Forsyth, Hartney, MB (Hockey Manitoba)
Order of Merit (West)

Lou Salatino, posthumous (Hockey Northwestern Ontario)
Order of Merit (Central)

Peter Hanson, Riverview, NB (Hockey New Brunswick)
Order of Merit (Atlantic)

Ed Chynoweth, posthumous (Hockey Alberta)
Gordon Juckes Award (outstanding contribution by an individual to the development of amateur hockey in Canada at the national level)

Carol Anne Roberts
Hal Lewis Award (Hockey Canada staff person of the year)

Hélène Laflèche
Liz McKinnon Award (Spousal award of a Hockey Canada volunteer)