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April 25, 2007
NR.051
Goal to enhance officiating in minor hockey announced through launch of Ken Stiles
Officiating Scholarships, as well as distribution of the Canadian Development Model – Parent
Handbook
CALGARY – Hockey Canada is pleased to announce the awarding of scholarships to seven top young officials
in Canada. The scholarship program, the first of its kind in amateur sport, was initiated by the founding
ownership group of the NHL’s Calgary Flames, with a goal of enhancing officiating at all levels of the game
in Canada.
Hockey Canada also announced that a parent handbook promoting the Canadian Development Model will be
distributed through the Canadian minor hockey system, thanks to the support and vision of the Flames founding
owners.
The Ken Stiles Officiating Scholarship Awards were announced by the Calgary Flames founding ownership
group, named for the late Ken Stiles, a President of the Flames Project 75. Over the past 30 years, Flames
Project 75, an oil and gas legacy from the Flames ownership group, has contributed $5,000,000 to minor hockey
development initiatives in Canada as well as other charities in Alberta.
The Ken Stiles Scholarships will be awarded annually to young women and men who participate in Hockey
Canada’s Officiating Program of Excellence. The goal of the scholarship program is to provide funding to help
offset the cost of post secondary education for Canada’s top young officials, supporting their efforts to
complete their post secondary schooling, become better officials, and to mentor younger officials in the
game.
In 2007 six officials will each receive $1,000 in scholarship awards, while one official, Reagan Vetter of
Saskatoon, will receive a $5,000 scholarship through this program. In 2008, Hockey Canada and Flames Project
75 will award 4 female and 4 male officiating scholarships to deserving candidates identified through the Ken
Stiles Scholarship selection committee. Scholarships are awarded on the basis of academic achievement,
officiating excellence, and community involvement.
This year’s officiating recipients are:
- Reagan Vetter, Saskatoon, SK
- Trevor Gordon, Thunder Bay, ON
- Brett Montsion, Winnipeg, MN
- Thomas Luxmore, Waterloo, ON
- Tim Stevens, Saint John, NB
- Kiel Murchison, Surrey, BC
- Josh Hurley, Hanwell, NB
Hockey Canada and the Flames founding ownership group also announced a newly created player/parent
handbook that will be distributed through Hockey Canada’s Branches and at Program of Excellence Under-16 and
Under-17 camps. This handbook will answer questions parents and players have regarding the options and
benefits available within the Canadian hockey system, including information about the Canadian Hockey League,
Junior A, Junior B, Canadian University and Canadian College hockey. To supplement this handbook, Hockey
Canada has also developed a website to link parents directly to team, league and organizational websites with
specific program information.
Over 40,000 manuals will be printed and distributed throughout Canada prior to the start of the 2007-08
season, thanks to the support of the funding through the Calgary Flames founding ownership group.
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