Lethbridge Sports Hall of Fame 2025 inductees announced

2025 Lethbridge Sports Hall of Fame inductees:

Athlete – Kyle McLaren

Kyle McLaren began his minor hockey career in Coaldale at the age of eight. By July 1995, he was selected ninth overall by the Boston Bruins and successfully secured a position on their roster as an 18-year-old, being paired with the esteemed Ray Bourque on defense. Standing at six-foot-four and weighing 235 pounds, McLaren concluded his NHL career with the San Jose Sharks in the 2007-08 season, accumulating career totals of 719 games played, 46 goals, 161 assists, 207 points, and a plus/minus rating of plus-27. Additionally, he participated in 70 playoff games, amassing 14 points. McLaren represented Canada internationally at the 2001 World Hockey Championships held in Germany. His unwavering dedication and exceptional talent solidified his reputation as a dominant and respected player in professional ice hockey.

Athlete – Curtis Hatch

Curtis Hatch, a formidable boxer from Raymond, began his career at age nine under the tutelage of the legendary Kai Yip. By the time he retired in 1993, Hatch had compiled an official record of 112 wins and only 33 defeats without ever being knocked out. He accrued 13 provincial championship titles, seven Golden Glove crowns, two Alberta Diamond Belt titles, and two Canadian championships. He also competed internationally, representing his country with the national team and earning medals in numerous countries. Sadly, Curtis passed away at the age of 40 in 2010.

Team Award – Combined baseball powerhouses the Lethbridge Miners 1986 and Lethbridge Elks 1987 teams.

In 1986, the Lethbridge Miners baseball team won the Montana State “B” championship while competing in the Montana State American Legion program, marking an unprecedented achievement for any Canadian team. The Miners were managed by head coach Mike Barker and pitching coach Jeff Hird. The team included Don Aos, Lauren Bell, Craig Deal, Jeff Davies, Mike Ell, Kevin Garinger, Bruce Giacchetta, Don Groves, Trevor Jorgensen, Brad Londeau, Scott Lambert, Todd Maier, Shane Mazutinec, Rob Virginillo, and Joel Weaver. Six of these players were part of the 1985 Lethbridge Senior Little League team that won the Canadian championship.

Ten players from the 1986 Miners moved on to the 1987 Lethbridge Elks, who subsequently won the Montana American Legion “A” Division championship, their third Montana State title in seven seasons. That group included Don Aos, Lauren Bell, Mike Ell, Bruce Giacchetta, Don Groves, Trevor Jorgensen, Scott Lambert, Todd Maier, Rob Virginillo and Joel Weaver. Other members of the squad were Brad Anderson, Doug Durina, Guy Lapointe and Ron McKinlay, along with head coach Mike Barker and assistant coaches Scott Maxwell and Robert Larson.

These achievements reflect the teams’ exceptional skill and dedication.

Builder – Kevin Kvame

Kevin Kvame has devoted four decades to advancing the cause of baseball in Lethbridge and the surrounding area, elevating the sport to new heights in the city. As president and CEO of Under the Lights Sports and Entertainment Inc., Kvame oversees baseball operations for both the Lethbridge Bulls and the Prairie Baseball Academy and supports the sport across the province and country in various volunteer roles.

Originally from Fort Macleod, Kvame views baseball as a vehicle for teaching life skills alongside technical skills. His leadership style is characterized by a balance of professionalism, approachability, and genuine concern for the personal and professional growth of team members.

Builders – Hurricane Group

Even before the Lethbridge Broncos left in 1986, local business people worked to ensure major junior hockey remained in the city, leading to the creation of the Hurricanes franchise, which celebrated 38 years in Lethbridge during the 2024-25 WHL season. Alf Gurr, along with Joe and Ted Feller, Dennis Pahara, and Brad Goodman, proposed a community-owned team for Lethbridge. With help from City Manager Bob Bartlett and lawyer Herb Beswick, they created a non-profit society to sell $100 shares in the hoped-for hockey club. Local supporters joined the effort, raising $186,000, and later matching funds with an interest-free loan from the City of Lethbridge to acquire the Calgary Wranglers franchise. Renamed the Lethbridge Hurricanes, the team began playing in the 1987-88 season, ensuring top-caliber WHL hockey for the past 38 years.

Special Award – Malcom Kano

Malcom Kano, an avid athlete, has spent 40 years promoting sports participation. In 1995, he founded the Lethbridge/Taber KidSport Society and led it for 25 years, securing its stability. His fundraising efforts helped over 6,000 children join sports in the area. Additionally, he served 20 years on the KidSport Alberta board, supporting the belief that no child should be excluded from sports. Malcom continues to be active as an athlete, playing golf and pickleball.

Historical Inductee – Herman Linder

Herman Linder, a renowned cowboy, earned the title “King of the Cowboys” at the Stampede, winning the Canadian all-round championship seven times and capturing the North American all-around championship five consecutive times. Linder claimed 22 championships at the Calgary Stampede and later promoted the sport by producing rodeos across Canada.

Inducted into multiple halls of fame, including the Canadian Cowboy Hall of Fame and the National Cowboy Hall of Fame, Linder was made an honorary chief of the Blood Tribe in 1950, named to the Order of Canada, and honored as the Cardston and district male athlete of the century. He passed away in 2001 at the age of 93 in Cardston.

2025 Kinsmen Sports Persons of the Year

Keyara Wardley – Women’s Sevens Rugby

Keyara Wardley, from Vulcan, achieved her dream of becoming a two-time Canadian Olympian and Olympic medalist in 2024. Despite setbacks, including a broken hip and ACL surgery, she was part of Canada’s silver-winning women’s rugby sevens team at the 2024 Paris Olympics, showcasing her resilience and dedication.

Besides her two Olympic appearances, she represented Canada internationally at the Youth Commonwealth Games in 2017, where Canada earned a silver medal, and at the 2018 Youth Olympic Games, where Canada won the bronze medal. Keyara now lives and trains in Victoria, B.C.

Apollo (Fox) Hess – Swimming

Apollo (Fox) Hess realized his aspiration of becoming a professional athlete by representing Canada in swimming at the 2024 Paris Olympics, contributing to Canada’s fifth-place finish in the 4×100-metre medley relay. Beginning his training at age three, Hess achieved notable success, including third place finishes in the 50-metre and 100-metre breaststroke at the 2023 U Sports Championships.

Apollo swam his best at the Canadian Olympic Swimming Trials in May 2024, when he secured a silver medal in the 100m breaststroke, earning him a spot on Team Canada for the Paris 2024 Olympics.

On June 3, 2024, Hess was honoured as the first member of the Kainai Nation to compete in the Olympics with a headdress ceremony at Red Crow Community College in Standoff. His Blackfoot name, given to him by his late grandfather, Norbert Fox, is Mo’tóyáóhkii, which, appropriately, translates to Ocean Boy.

by David Opinko

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Lethbridge Sports Hall of Fame 2025 inductees announced

2025 Lethbridge Sports Hall of Fame inductees:

2025 Kinsmen Sports Persons of the Year

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