Western Hockey League mourns passing of Brad Hornung
Calgary, Alta. – The Western Hockey League is deeply saddened to learn of the passing of former Regina Pats forward Brad Hornung.
Hornung passed away Tuesday evening following a brief but courageous battle with cancer. He was to turn 53 on Sunday, February 13.
“Brad was not only a great friend to all of us at the WHL, but his positive outlook on life was an inspiration to everyone who knew him,” commented WHL Commissioner Ron Robison. “Brad will always have a special place in our hearts, and our thoughts and prayers are with his family and friends during this difficult time.”
Hornung, a native of Regina, Sask., played two seasons with the Regina Pats, registering 101 points (49G-52A) in 126 regular season games played.
On March 1, 1987, Hornung’s playing career came to a premature end when he suffered a severe spinal cord injury following an on-ice collision, rendering him a quadriplegic.
Though his playing days came to an end, Hornung remained close to the game of hockey, serving as a scout for many years, including stints with the Chicago Blackhawks and the NHL’s Central Scouting Service. He remained a fixture at the Brandt Centre in Regina, where his No. 8 hangs from the rafters, having been retired by the Pats.
In April 1988, the WHL restructured its awards format, including the introduction of the Brad Hornung Trophy, awarded annually to the WHL player who best displays the same attributes as Brad – talent, desire, and an unmistakable sportsmanlike attitude. The WHL had previously presented an award for sportsmanship dating back to 1966-67. Each year, Brad looked forward to joining the latest class of promising WHL stars at the annual WHL Awards, where he would present the Brad Hornung Trophy to the Most Sportsmanlike Player.
Despite the adversity he faced, Hornung pushed forward, completing his high school education before eventually pursuing and receiving a Bachelor of Arts Degree in History from Campion College at the University of Regina in 1996. He continued to prioritize ongoing education at the University of Regina, and was recognized for his courage and perseverance with an honourary Doctor of Laws degree on June 8, 2018.
About the Western Hockey League
Regarded as the world’s finest development league for junior hockey players, the Western Hockey League (WHL) head office is based in Calgary, Alberta. The WHL consists of 22 member Clubs with 17 located in Western Canada and five in the U.S. Pacific Northwest. A member of the Canadian Hockey League, the WHL has been a leading supplier of talent for the National Hockey League for over 50 years. The WHL is also the leading provider of hockey scholarships with over 375 graduates each year receiving WHL Scholarships to pursue a post-secondary education of their choice. Each season, WHL players also form the nucleus of Canada’s National Junior Hockey Team.
