Rockets executive assistant Brown recognized with WHL Distinguished Service Award

Kelowna, B.C. – Western Hockey League Commissioner Dan Near announced today, on behalf of the WHL Board of Governors, that Carrie Brown – Executive Assistant for the Kelowna Rockets – has been named the latest recipient of the WHL Distinguished Service Award for the 2025-26 WHL season.

The WHL Distinguished Service Award, which was introduced by the WHL in 2004, is presented annually to the individuals who have worked tirelessly behind the scenes on behalf of WHL franchises and in doing so have made an extraordinary contribution at the Club and League levels over an extended period. The WHL will present Distinguished Service Awards annually to an individual from both the WHL Western and Eastern Conferences.

Brown was honoured by Commissioner Near and Bruce Hamilton, WHL Chairman of the Board and President / General Manager of the Kelowna Rockets, during Game 6 of the 2026 Memorial Cup presented by Kubota.

“Since 1995, the Rockets inaugural season in Kelowna, Carrie has been a fixture in the Kelowna Rockets front office,” commented WHL Commissioner Dan Near. “Every Club is fuelled by key personnel – who consistently provide a steady presence and support our Clubs’ commitment to our communities. For the entirety of her career with the Rockets, Carrie has been that dedicated and passionate contributor.”

Brown, who hails from Kelowna, has worked for the Rockets for 30 years. From coordinating League-related matters and internal operations to supporting staff and players, Brown is organized and accessible. She works with great attention to detail and a commitment to maintaining the proud and strong history of the Rockets.

“Carrie is the heart and soul of our organization,” said Bruce Hamilton, President and General Manager of the Rockets. “She is the steady presence in our office every single day, ensuring that the countless moving pieces of a WHL franchise operate smoothly. Carrie does the work that often goes unnoticed but is absolutely essential.

“Quite simply, without Carrie Brown, the Kelowna Rockets would not be the organization we are today.”

Brown has helped to define the culture and success of the Rockets.

Previous Recipients of the WHL Distinguished Service Award:

Jerome Engele (Saskatoon Blades – Assistant Coach); Bob Schroeder (Portland Winterhawks – Off-Ice Official); Rob McCrea (Edmonton Oil Kings – Off-Ice Officials Supervisor); Glenda Zelmer (Brandon Wheat Kings – Education Advisor); Lucille McClung and Carol Carlson (Prince George Cougars – Core Volunteer Supervisors); Dr. Michael Bobyn (Kelowna Rockets – Team Doctor) – Bernie Bajnok (Calgary Hitmen – Education Advisor); Dean ‘Scooter’ Vrooman (Portland Winterhawks – Play-by-Play Announcer); Bernie Burtney (Saskatoon Blades – Off-Ice Officials); Gerry Bergen (Prince Albert Raiders – Off-Ice Officials); Dr. Bob Smillie (Kamloops Blazers – Team Physician); Bob Bartlett (Lethbridge Hurricanes – Director, Player Development); Sue Johnson (Portland Winterhawks – Education Advisor); Herman Elfring (Lethbridge Hurricanes – Board Member); Norbert Heinzelmann (Kelowna Rockets – Off-Ice Officials); Bill Sanderson (Victoria Royals – Off-Ice Officials); Bob McGill (Edmonton Oil Kings – Scout); Ralph Zander (Calgary Hitmen – Off-Ice Official); Terry Bonner (Vancouver Giants – Scouting Director); Dr. Mary Smith (Spokane Chiefs – Team Dentist); Dennis Coates (Kamloops Blazers – Volunteer Board Member); Judy Seher (Red Deer Rebels – Billet Coordinator); Balzer, Frank, Tony & John Lanz (Medicine Hat Tigers – Off-Ice Officials); Rose Mary Hartney (Moose Jaw Warriors – Education Advisor); Greg ‘Spike’ Wallace (Kamloops Blazers – Community & Sponsorship Coordinator); Nella Rounsville (Kootenay ICE – Education Advisor); Lorne Frey (Kelowna Rockets – Asst GM/Head Scout); Graham Tuer (Saskatchewan Hockey Association – Volunteer); Jann Boss (Portland Winterhawks – Administration); Ruth “Grams” Pollock (Prince Albert Raiders – Billet Coordinator); Dr. Ian Hill (Regina Pats – Team Doctor); Dr. Alfred Blue (Seattle Thunderbirds – Team Doctor); Doris Rubel (Kamloops Blazers – Billet Coordinator); Colleen MacBean (Swift Current Broncos – Education Advisor); and Bob Ridley (Medicine Hat Tigers – Play-By-Play Announcer)

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 23 member Clubs with 17 located in Western Canada and six 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.