The MbHHF makes 15 inductions for the class of 2024
Last week, the Manitoba Hockey Hall of Fame (MBHHF) announced its list of inductees for the 2024 class.
The MBHHF has acknowledged the achievements and successes of players, coaches, general managers, officials, media members, and teams with connections to Manitoba since 1985.
The induction of individuals into the MBHHF is based on nominations from Manitoba’s public, which are reviewed by an independent selection committee and then submitted to the MBHHF Board of Directors. Since 1995, this induction process has occurred only every two years.
Inductees of Manitoba’s Hockey Hall of Fame all fall under one of seven categories: Player, Builder, Official, Media, Team, Dynasty, and Veterans. This year, however, the MBHHF has introduced an eighth category, acknowledging the volunteers in our province. This is known as the “Grassroots” category.
This year’s list of inductees includes five players, three builders, one official, one media, one team, one dynasty, one grassroots, and two veterans for a total of 15 inductions.
Requirements for eligibility in each category according to the MBHHF website are shown below.
Player Category - Individual must have a Manitoba connection either through birth or having moved to Manitoba, having spent their developmental years in the province.
Shane Hnidy
Born in Neepawa, MB., Hnidy (48) played minor league hockey for the Yellowhead Chiefs U18 AAA squad before heading over to the WHL, where he spent six seasons playing for the Swift Current Broncos and Prince Albert Raiders. Hnidy was drafted in the 7th round (173rd overall) in the 1994 NHL Entry Draft by the Buffalo Sabres and played with six different teams (Boston Bruins, Ottawa Senators, Nashville Predators, Atlanta Thrashers, Anaheim Ducks, and Minnesota Wild) before closing out his 12-year NHL career. In 550 NHL games played, Hnidy put up 16 goals and 55 assists for 71 points. Despite being acknowledged as a player in the MBHHF, Hnidy is also well-known for colour-commentating games for TSN’s Winnipeg Jets broadcast.
Duvie Westcott
Going undrafted in the NHL Entry Draft, Westcott (46) made it to the NHL the hard way. The 192-pound defenceman was born in Winnipeg, MB. and thrived in his junior days playing for the Winnipeg South Blues. After playing for the NCAA’s St. Cloud State Univ., Westcott made his jump to professional-level hockey, playing for the Syracuse Crunch in the AHL. Westcott would eventually get an opportunity to play in the NHL with the Columbus Blue Jackets but struggled to establish himself as a full-time player. In 201 career games, he produced 11 goals and 45 assists for 56 points. Westcott wrapped up the final three years of his professional career by serving as an alternate captain on the Hamburg Freezers, a professional team residing in Germany
Russ Romaniuk
Growing up in Winnipeg, MB. and getting drafted by the Winnipeg Jets in 1988, Romaniuk (54) lived out a childhood dream not many get to experience. Playing for his hometown team from 1991-1995, Romaniuk scored 13 goals and added 14 helpers in 102 games played. After wrapping up his NHL career in Philadelphia, Romaniuk jumped from league to league (IHL, DEL, BISL, BNL, EIHL) until finally calling it a career in 2005.
Laurie Langrell
Born Februrary 11, 1939, Langrell is one of the oldest members of the 2024 MHHF inductee class. Hailing From Warren, MB., Langrell played in four different leagues throughout his career, but his most productive season was with the Winnipeg Braves of the MJHL. Langrell racked up 63 points in just 31 games with the Braves during the 1958-59 regular season and led his team offensively in the post-season, which helped them claim three different championship titles: Memorial Cup Champions, Abbott Cup Champions, and Turnbull Cup Champions. Langrell was also inducted into Manitoba’s Baseball Hall of Fame in 2021.
Brad Maxwell
The Brandon, MB. product was selected seventh overall by the Minnesota North Stars in the 1977 NHL Entry Draft. A significant reason Maxwell went so high in the draft was because of his three years spent with the Westminster Bruins of the WCHL. As a defenceman, Maxwell scored above a point per game pace for two out of the three seasons with the Bruins. After being drafted by the North Stars, Maxwell spent nearly his whole career there, playing eight of his 10 seasons with Minnesota. Maxwell, who also spent time with the Toronto Maple Leafs, Quebec Nordiques, New York Rangers, and Vancouver Canucks, racked up 368 points in 613 career games. Maxwell died of lung cancer in September of last year.
Builder Category - Individual must have a Manitoba connection, either through birth or having moved to Manitoba, and contributed to the development of the game of hockey in the province.
Harvey Bolton
Born in Flin Flon, MB., Bolton (62) refereed his first hockey game at just 14-years-old. He enjoyed officiating so much that he went on to do it for five decades. Bolton now serves as referee-in-chief for the Norman Regional Minor Hockey Association.
Wayne Deschouwer
Deschouwer was born in Mariapolis, MB., but spent most of his life in Winnipeg, where his prints lie all over Hockey Manitoba’s community. Deschouwer spent nearly 60 years with Hockey Manitoba’s programs, serving as a player, coach, manager, and president. He was also given the Hockey Manitoba Volunteer of the Year Award in 2011-2012. Deschouwer died on October 1, 2018.
Jack Mckenzie
Mckenzie, who originally served Hockey Manitoba as a coach, transitioned to a league executive role after creating the Junior B Hockey League in 1970.
Official Category - Individual must have a Manitoba connection and made a significant contribution to the sport of hockey over an extended period of time in leagues or systems by accomplishments that may be considered, include, but are not limited to: officiating awards and recognition received; a history of involvement in the sport and performance as an official or administrator of officials; served as a mentor, supervisor and/or developer of officiating programs in Manitoba; assignment to major championships and events; level of certification attained; commitment to the sport of hockey as demonstrated by years of service and activity.
Paul Krestanowich
Paul Krestanowich served Manitoba’s hockey community as a referee, coach, and president for over five decades. Krestanowich officiated AHL games as well as international games in South Korea for the World University’s Winter Games. Krestanowich was president of the Assiniboine Park Hockey Association and coached a number of River Heights’ youth hockey clubs. In 2014, Krestanowich also won Hockey Canada’s Canadian Tire Hero of Play Award.
Media Category - Individual must have made an exceptional contribution to Manitoba hockey through media in print, broadcast, and/or digital media. It is open to journalists, editors, publishers, broadcasters, producers, artists, photographers, or others who have had a significant impact by working in the media.
Kelly Moore
Known for his unique voice on 680 CJOB, Moore has now worked in radio for almost 50 years. Starting out in 1976 as a part-time evening announcer at CFVR in Abbotsford. B.C., Moore now finds himself atop sports coverage for CJOB, while also serving as the Game Night Host on Winnipeg Jets broadcasts.
Team Category - Team must have been organized and located in Manitoba.
2012 Southeast Prairie Thunder
Led by head coach Jamie Leach and tournament MVP Devon Leblanc, the 2012 Southeast Prairie Thunder were titled Canada’s best men’s senior hockey team after capturing the 2012 Allan Cup in Lloydminster, AB.
Dynasty Category - Team must have been organized and located in Manitoba and achieved success over an extended period of time over consecutive seasons.
1986-1992 Cartwright Clippers
Winners of six consecutive SWHL championships.
Grassroots Category - Individual must have a Manitoba connection where their volunteer efforts in a community have helped develop the game of hockey.
Laurent Kerbrat
Kerbrat, also known as “Maddog,” was born April 2, 1948, in Winnipeg, MB. Aside from coaching, Kerbrat was a giver. For over 35 years, “Maddog” spent hours flooding the ice for St. Laurent’s community, even waking up in the middle of the night to ensure the ice was ready to go for the kids. He donated to players who couldn’t afford to play and gave equipment to those who couldn’t afford their own. In 2008, Kerbrat was recognized for his volunteering by Hockey Canada and was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame. Kerbrat died on July 28, 2020.
Veterans Category - NA
Ed Reigle
Born on June 19, 1924, Reigle’s hockey career was highlighted by stints with the Omaha Knights (USHL Sr.), Cleveland Barons (AHL), North Bay Trappers (NOHA), and Boston Bruins. The Winnipeg, MB. product played just 17 games for the Bruins during the 1950-1951 season, where he collected two assists. After ending his playing career in 1957, Reigle switched gears to coaching. Reigle bench-bossed the Sweden national team in the 1960 Olympics and West Germany in the 1968 Olympics. Reigle died on November 20, 2003.
Hal Winkler
Born on March 20, 1892, Winkler is the oldest inductee of the 2024 MBHHF class. The 5-foot-8, 150-pound netminder from Gretna, MB. spent his junior years with the Edmonton Eskimos and Calgary Tigers of the Western Canada Hockey League from 1922-1926. Winkler then moved up to the NHL, playing his first season with the New York Rangers, where he posted a 3-4-1 record with a 1.65 GAA and two shutouts. He then played two seasons with the Boston Bruins, where he went on to record 15 shutouts in the 1927-28 season, along with posting a good-looking 1.52 GAA. Winkler retired in 1931 and died on May 29, 1956.
Canad Inns Polo Park will host a ceremonial dinner for the new inductees on Saturday, October 5.
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