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City Honours Vern Davis with Renaming of Ice Rink
The City of Edmonton is renaming an ice rink at Callingwood Arena for one of Edmonton’s “grandfathers of hockey.” Vern Davis received the honour at an event to preview Quikcard Edmonton Minor Hockey Week. Mr. Davis co-founded the annual tournament with three friends in 1963.
“Vern has been a devoted community volunteer and selfless promoter of Edmonton minor hockey for over 50 years,” said Rob Smyth, Community and Facility Services branch manager with the City of Edmonton. “His dedication to our community, the sport of hockey and to helping children develop a love for the game is exemplary. He thoroughly deserves this honour.”
Since co-founding Edmonton Minor Hockey Week 47 years ago, Vern has volunteered for the tournament each year, helping it gain recognition from Guinness World Records as the biggest hockey tournament in the world.
“Vern is an inspiration to our volunteers who work tirelessly to ensure that the great sport of hockey continues to be enjoyed by all youth in this city,” said Chris Hurley, Edmonton Minor Hockey Association president.
In addition to the time and energy he has given to Edmonton Minor Hockey Week, Mr. Davis also spent countless hours volunteering as the bantam sports director for the Westmount Community League and secretary for the Northwest Community Athletic Association in the 1960s. He has been secretary of the Federation Hockey Council since 1973.
To help children learn the game, Mr. Davis founded “initiation hockey” which allows first-time hockey players, or kids between four and six, to learn basic hockey skills. As a member of the Edmonton Minor Hockey Association Alumni, he also raises funds for children who are unable to play hockey for financial reasons.
“This is just an honour,” said Mr. Davis. “I grew up playing hockey on frozen ponds and never thought about having a rink named after me. I’d like to thank all the people who put me here—the good friends that I’ve made through hockey, the dedicated volunteers and, of course, my family. I appreciate this very much.”
In 2007, Mr. Davis received an Alberta Centennial Award through a nomination from Hockey Alberta and was named Edmonton Hockey Volunteer of the Year by the Edmonton Oilers. The City of Edmonton inducted him into the Sports Hall of Fame in 2008.
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