CALGARY, Alta. – The Hockey Canada Foundation has announced a new structure and new chairs for both the HCF and its American counterpart, Canadian Hockey Foundation U.S. The HCF and CHF U.S. raise funds and profile for programs and projects which will allow Canadians on both sides of the border a chance to play the game.

Thomas (Tom) Bitove has been elected chair of the Hockey Canada Foundation board of directors, while Grant Fagerheim will serve as vice-chair. Bitove becomes the third chair of the HCF, following Tim Manning, who served from 2006-09, and Wayne Russell, the HCF’s first chair from 2002-05.

“We will do whatever it takes to assist Hockey Canada in making the dream of playing hockey available to as many people as we can” said Bitove. “There are so many Canadians who want to play the game but are challenged by the cost of participation and lack of accessibility among other things. We want to do whatever we can to ensure that all Canadians have a chance to play our game.”

“There has been a significant amount of work completed to ensure our success of allowing all Canadians the opportunity to experience the game of hockey,” said Fagerheim.

In addition, Bill Ackerman has been elected chair of the Canadian Hockey Foundation U.S. board. The CHF U.S. focuses on the same issues facing the HCF in Canada but does so by enlisting the support of ex-pats and HC Alumni still based in the United States to support the goals of the CHF U.S.  

“Our role in the United States is to continue to keep ex-pats and alumni in touch with the great programs the HCF is developing” said Ackerman. “Even though they may live and work in the U.S. they are still Canadians at heart and they want to do whatever it takes to keep Canada on top of the hockey world.”

Both the HCF and the CHF U.S. are registered charities in their respective countries.