Twelve Albertans selected at 2019 NHL Draft

RED DEER - It was another solid year for Alberta at the 2019 NHL Draft in Vancouver.

A total of 12 players with Alberta roots were selected, including seven in the first two rounds.

Four Team Alberta alumni were taken in the first round alone, with Fort Saskatchewan’s Kirby Dach going third overall to the Chicago Blackhawks, making him the highest-drafted Albertan since Jay Bouwmeester went third overall to the Florida Panthers in 2002.

Dach’s Team Alberta teammate Bowen Byram was selected by the Colorado Avalanche with the next pick, while Peyton Krebs and Brayden Tracey went 17th and 29th to the Vegas Golden Knights and Anaheim Ducks, respectively.

Carter Gylander of the Alberta Junior Hockey League’s Sherwood Park Crusaders was the lone Alberta netminder selected in the draft, going to the Detroit Red Wings in the seventh round.

A full list of Albertans/Team Alberta alumni drafted can be found below:

ST. ALBERT - Grade 4 classes at Lois E. Hole Elementary School in St. Albert held a True Spirit of Hockey Day event in March, putting their creative abilities to work while showcasing their passion for hockey. The students each illustrated and explained their suggestion for a Hockey Alberta Digital Mascot, which could be used to highlight the positive impact of hockey. With such overwhelming participation, and to thank the students for their incredible effort, Hockey Alberta presented a plaque and hosted a pizza party for the classes.

It’s no surprise that these students showed great passion for this project, as Lois E. Hole Elementary School boasts a Hockey Academy as part of their programming. The Hockey Academy is open to male and female students of all skill levels who are passionate about the game, want to improve themselves, and have a desire to learn and commit to improvement and progression. Their philosophy is one of growth and development. The academy promotes both on-ice and life skills in student athletes, creating quality citizens who will make wise choices, be respectful, enthusiastic, confident, cooperative and independent.

The students were also provided with a number of different items to keep their fandom for the game burning, including foam fingers, clappers and thunders sticks. Thank you to Melissa Kueber and Cindy Jeffery, who were instrumental in leading this initiative and making this day special for their students. Hockey Alberta would also like to extend a special thank you to Dominos St. Albert, who generously donated all of the pizzas for this event.

RED DEER - John Jacobs, an Honoured Member of the Alberta Hockey Hall of Fame and a Life Member of the Hockey Alberta Referee Council, passed away on Thursday, May 30 at the age of 65.

John’s officiating career begin in 1967. Over the course of his career, John obtained a Level 4L the highest ranking a linesman can achieve. He worked numerous national and international events, including serving as a linesman in six Viking Cups and several Team Canada Cups. Off the ice, John worked as a supervisor at three Viking Cups, and once at the Royal Bank Cup.

John’s list of contributions to officiating in Alberta is a lengthy one, starting in 1982 when he began instructing at the Hockey Alberta Officiating Development Camp, and was the Development Camp Coordinator for over 10 years, with 25 years of involvement with the camp. He was the Chair of the North Central Zone Referees Committee for four seasons, followed by six seasons as Hockey Alberta’s Referee Council Chair. He also served as a member of Hockey Alberta’s Board of Directors, as the officials’ representative.

John’s decades of work with officials in Alberta was recognized with a number of awards, including Hockey Alberta’s Hockey Development Award (2004), the Ernie Boruk Award (2008), and the Alberta Sport, Recreation, Parks & Wildlife Foundation Award (2008).

John is survived by his wife of 43 years, Donna; his daughters Terine (Derek) Forrester and Penny (Scotte) Titus; sister Val (Merv) Zwicker; mother-in-law Betty Hansen; sisters-in-law Carol (John) Zerkee and Lorraine Hansen; brothers-in-law Ted Hansen and Tim (Sandra) Hansen, as well as many loving nieces, nephews, other relatives and many dear friends.

For his contributions to hockey in Alberta, John was inducted into the Alberta Hockey Hall of Fame in 2013. And he was honoured as an Officials’ Life Member in 2011. Officials are encouraged to wear their uniforms, and golfers and encouraged to wear their golf shirts.

Donations in John’s memory can be made to Stettler Minor Hockey, the Stettler Food Bank, or another charity of your own choice.

A celebration of John’s life will be held on Friday, June 7 at 1:00 p.m. in his hometown of Stettler, at the arena where John spent so many of his weekends.