• CO-CHAIR - CHANTE PATTERSON-ELDEN & LISA WARD
• LOGISTICS - PAM EALES & HOLLY LARDEN
• TEAM OPERATIONS - 
• COMMUNICATION/MEDIA - KOHLMAN BRINSKY
• EVENT OPERATIONS - ERIN OLIVER & CHELSEA ST.PIERRE
• SPONSORSHIP - LINDSEY BOREK & AARON POWELL
• EVENT STAFF - GLEN JENSEN
• GAME OFFICIALS - CHRISTINA WARDS
• VOLUNTEERS / 50-50 - IVEA ARMSTRONG
• DEVELOPMENT & COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT - MEGAN WARD
• DCMHA REP - KELSEY JOHNSTON
• VENUE LIAISON - ALISHA PATTERSON, MANAGER OF EVENTS & DUSTIN BODNARYK, GENERAL MANAGER - OVINTIV EVENTS CENTRE

LISA WARD: CO-CHAIR

Lisa Ward loves the sport of hockey and has been involved with the committee for two previous Hockey Canada events. Lisa is actively involved with the community: not only is she involved with ladies hockey, she sits on the Northern Lights College Foundation Board and the local Sons of Norway.

How to manage being so involved with the committee and your other commitments?

Having an understanding boss and husband are the keys to success. As well as good time management skills.

 

Do you or did you play hockey or does your family play hockey?

I grew up around hockey as my brother played but I didn’t start playing hockey until I was 40 and absolutely loved it! After my first tournament, I was hooked. My son and daughter also played and I did a few years of coaching. A highlight for me is that I now get to play with my daughter.  

 

What is your most memorable moment from a past Hockey Canada event?

The double overtime goal in the gold medal game at the 2019 World Junior A Challenge was definitely exciting, but getting to work alongside these great people is the best!

 

 

 

LINDSEY BOREK: SPONSORSHIP

 

Lindsey Borek is a community leader and has been involved with the Hockey Canada events in almost every capacity: venue, host committee and with Tourism Dawson Creek. She brings 11 years of experience to her position on the U18 Hockey Host Committee as Co-Director of Sponsorship. 

 

What is your favourite part of these events?

Working with an amazing team: Everyone from Hockey Canada, our committee, sponsors, volunteers and bringing the community together through sport.  Also being able to showcase our community nationally and internationally brings me a sense of pride!  

Serving on the committee can be time-consuming - how do you manage?

I manage by ensuring I prioritize my time and plan around my commitments, always making sure to set time aside for my family!  My Family is very supportive and always cheering me on from the sidelines.

Do/Did you play hockey or does your family play hockey?
I never played hockey, but both my boys play hockey and can now skate circles around me!

 

 

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MEGAN WARD: DIRECTOR OF DEVELOPMENT & COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT 

 

Although this isn't the first Hockey Canada event that she has been involved with, this is the first year for Megan Ward to serve on the Host Committee. Women's hockey is close to her heart - She began playing hockey at age 8 and continues to do so as an adult. In fact, her entire family has played at some point in their lives. 

Megan has a passion for the sport and one of her favourite parts of these events is seeing young athletes develop and have fun. As Director of Development & Community Engagement, Megan has a large and complex role within the committee and she couldn't do it without support of her family.

 

 

GLEN JENSEN: EVENT STAFF

Glen has been committed to the local host committee for Hockey Canada events in Dawson Creek since 2015. He first got involved through the Dawson Creek Oldtimers Hockey Club in which he still plays after 65 years!! Glens favorite part of these events are seeing teams from around the world and watching their individual style of play. A memorable moment for him would be when Canada played Russia, the gold medal game and it was a packed house. Even better... Canada won!! Being on the host committee is time-consuming but thanks to shift work and retirement Glen has managed to stay on the host committee roster making Hockey Canada events a success in Dawson Creek.

 

 

IVEA ARMSTRONG: VOLUNTEER & 50/50

How long have you been participating in Hockey Canada events? 
I’ve volunteered a couple of times in the past for U18 events at the Ovintiv Centre selling 50/50 tickets.

How did you get involved? 
My daughter-in-law recruited me!

What is your favourite part of these events? 
Seeing all of the competitors/teams and the excitement of watching ‘good hockey’ 

Do/did you play hockey or does your family play hockey? 
4 of my grandchildren have been involved in hockey for about 13 years. One grandson played for 3 years in Prince George for the Caribou Cougars and last season with the Dawson Creek Kodiaks. My oldest granddaughter played for the Northern Capitals in Prince George's for 3 years, then Rink in Kelowna last season and is currently in Bemidji Minnesota where she has signed to play for 4 years. My youngest granddaughter is beginning her third year with the NEBC Predators where she will be moving up to U15.  

What is your most memorable moment from past Hockey Canada events? 
Watching the games and the excitement surrounding them.

Serving on the committee can be time-consuming- how do you manage? 
I just take one day at a time. 

 

 

KELSEY JOHNSTON: DCMHA REP

How long have you been participating in Hockey Canada events?
This will be my first event.

How did you get involved?
Through Dawson Creek Minor Hockey Association

What is your favourite part of these events?
From the last U18 tournament, would be seeing the drive and commitment in these young women, and giving younger players someone to look up to.

Do/did you play hockey or does your family play hockey?
I played when I was younger, currently my husband, 12-year-old daughter and 5-year-old son play.

What is your most memorable moment from past Hockey Canada events?
This will be my first event, I am excited to take it all in and make some great memories.

Serving on the committee can be time-consuming - how do you manage?
Having a great family who all share the love for hockey and having them partake in the events, will make it all worth it.

 

 

KOHLMAN BRINSKY: COMMUNICATIONS & MEDIA

How long have you been participating in Hockey Canada events?

This is my first year being officially involved with an organized event hosted by Hockey Canada however I have previously supported Hockey Canada events by being on the ice during deployment camps. 

 

How did you get involved?

I was asked by a friend if I was able to help as they were an individual short on their board of directors. 

 

What is your favourite part of these events?

My favourite part of these events is seeing the crowd it attracts and seeing people from across our country and community come together.

 

Do/did you play hockey or does your family play hockey?

My father introduced me to playing hockey at a young age and I found myself falling in love with the game. Since then, I have played all over British Columbia, Alberta and the Yukon, playing with teammates who are still my closest friends, and being coached by individuals who set me up with life values and untimely memories I can never forget.

 

What is your most memorable moment from past Hockey Canada events?

My favourite memorable Hockey Canada event was looking up at the press box and seeing my Childhood idol the Captain of Canada, Ryan Smyth.

 

Serving on the committee can be time-consuming - how do you manage?

I have been very busy time this year with starting a new job and balancing time with my family and my significant other but I remember those individuals who gave up the same when I was playing hockey and it plays a reminder that this is the perfect way to give back like they did.

 

 

 

PAM EALES: LOGISITICS

 

Pam Eales has been working with the Hockey Canada events since 2012. She says that "Chante coerced her into volunteering" but we know better. Pam is heavily involved in the community and has been for many years: South Peace Health Care Society, Chamber of Commerce, South Peace Soccer, Dawson Creek Minor Hockey, the Dawson Creek Exhibition Association, and the Rotary Club

 

What is your favourite part of these events?

Meeting the athletes and showcasing our community.

 

Do/did you play hockey or does your family play hockey?

Yes, all my family members have played and/or coached hockey.

 

What is your most memorable moment from past Hockey Canada events?

• Following the 2012 U18 Women's event racing three coaches to the Grande Prairie Airport for a 5:00 a.m. flight. They had missed the bus to Grande Prairie - don't ask me how fast I drove!
• Touring through the TSN trailer - amazing!
• Presenting gold medals to Russia at the 2019 U17 Men's event

Presenting at the Calgary Winsport Centre on how we (Dawson Creek) have organized and managed this event. Lots of our best practices have become standard processes for Hockey Canada Host Communities.

 

 

 

CHELSEA ST. PIERRE: EVENT OPERATIONS

How long have you been participating in Hockey Canada events?
Past 5 year

 

How did you get involved?
I was asked to be part of the event

What is your favourite part of these events?
The excitement of the Community coming together

 

Do/did you play hockey or does your family play hockey?
Yes both my dad and I

 

What is your most memorable moment from past Hockey Canada events?
Gold medal game the venue was packed and Canada won

 

Serving on the committee can be time-consuming - how do you manage?
I make time for myself and my two girls

 

 

 

CHRISTINA WARDS: GAME OFFICIALS

 

How long have you been participating in Hockey Canada Events?

I have been involved in Hockey Canada Events for about 45 years

How did you get involved?
My Aunt & Uncle who live down on the Sunshine Coast used to billet hockey players and were in also involved by volunteering for different Hockey Canada Events. They would bring me along, sign me up as a volunteer, and then I would be put to work. Lots of times it was selling merchandise, or being a runner for getting paperwork out to different people. When I got older, I was really involved in the community hockey, by coaching, managing teams, and being on a Junior League board. I then was asked by a Hockey Canada member if I would be interested in being on the committee for the Hockey Canada for the events that will be happening in Dawson Creek. I said Yes, as I was already doing the same position for the Junior Hockey Club. I have been a committee member in Dawson Creek since day 1.

What is your favourite part of these events?
 I like meeting all the players, and watching their skill level. I also enjoy training off ice officials and working with a fun crew.

Do/did you play hockey, or does your family play hockey?
I never played ice hockey growing up as my family could not afford it, and we lived out in the country. I played grass hockey with the school team. I was always around ice hockey growing up with my aunt & uncle, and went to all the games with them. My daughter played ice hockey, and she  did really well. She last played on the Grande Prairie Storm AAA team. She was also given a scholarship to go to University hockey, but declined it to take on a University Soccer scholarship instead. My son played minor hockey until he aged out in Grade 12. I was involved as a coach, trainer, and team manager over the years. My children have followed in my footsteps doing coaching for the younger teams and being involved in hockey.

What is your most memorable moment from past Hockey Canada Events?
My most memorable moment from past events is when Team Canada won Gold vs Russia in 2015 in Dawson Creek. The energy in the building was electric. Watching the players celebrate their victory felt like we were a huge part of their team as well! They were very appreciative of all our volunteers and their time spent making their event special.

Serving on the committee can be time-consuming – how do you manage?
After being on the committee for many years, we have the process down to a science. We have all processes and kinks worked out, so that we are not wasting time and energy on unnecessary things. Our meetings are concise, with reporting done to keep everyone in the loop. The committee is very dedicated to making sure we bring a high level of expertise to the ice at every event. The most hectic time is when the event is happening. We have to make sure all our volunteers show up and that every position is filled, and that every volunteer knows how to do their job. I love these events and find them so rewarding, so going to meetings once a month to get updates and share information doesn’t feel to overwhelming.

 

 

ERIN OLIVER: EVENT OPERATIONS

How long have you been participating in Hockey Canada events?
6 years - since 2017

How did you get involved?
City of Dawson Creek- was asked by Chante if I would like to be apart of it.

What is your favourite part of these events?
Watching how excited the flag bearers are to be a part of the event.

Do/did you play hockey or does your family play hockey?
I played very briefly, husband played on rec league for a number of years

What is your most memorable moment from past Hockey Canada events?
Watching the little guys from Minor Hockey play at intermission.

Serving on the committee can be time-consuming - how do you manage?
My part comes closer to the event and takes up a lot of home time. I just make it work

 

 

Holly Larden: Logistics

Holly has been involved with the Host Committee since 2015 when she was 'volun-told' by way of a friend signing her up. She hasn't looked back and believes that it is important to give back to your community.

What is your favourite part of these events?

Three things stand out for me:

• The gold medal game! The atmosphere becomes electric and you can’t help getting wrapped up into the excitement
• I love watching the players first arrive at the event - the nervous energy is contagious
• I will also always remember walking the scouts up and through the building and watching their jaws drop when they see what an amazing facility that Dawson Creek has for these events. Proud moment!

How do you manage with the time commitment? Is your family supportive?

My family also volunteers and are very supportive. This can be very demanding time-wise, so I usually take vacation time from work so that I'm not torn between two things and can focus.

What is your most memorable moment from a past Hockey Canada event?

In the area that I volunteer, the gold medal game is very busy for us behind the scenes. We are working on departure arrangements, etc. At the last event, I had the pleasure of presenting the medals in the gold medal game.  It was a great game that went into overtime. This was the first game that I actually got to watch and was able to do this from behind the bench. What a magical moment!

 

 

CHANTE PATTERSON: CO-CHAIR

As the Co-Chair of the U18 Hockey Host Committee, Chante Patterson-Elden brings a wealth of knowledge and experience. She has been involved with hosting the Hockey Canada events since 2009 and we are so lucky to have her at the helm!

 

What is your favourite part of these events?

Bringing people together to promote the game of hockey in our community and region. It is such a gift working with the volunteers, sponsors, players and coaches. It is like 'baking the cake' (the event) and adding all of the extras (sprinkles).

 

Serving on the committee can be time-consuming - how do you manage?

Family and work are very supportive - I am grateful. 

 

What are your memorable moments from a past Hockey Canada event?

• 2009 - Hosting an Olympic Team
• Giving Silver & Bronze Medals
• Being a host to the referees - getting to meet them
• Working with this group since 2012 - Growing together!
• Bringing events to our community and showcasing the facility and volunteers
• Successfully hosting 5 events
• Working with the many volunteers; their smiles, passion and love for our community

Chante also volunteers with the Northern Lights College Foundation and 100 Women Who Care - Dawson Creek Giving Circle