WHL mourns passing of longtime staff member Norm Dueck

The Western Hockey League is deeply saddened to learn of the passing of longtime staff member Norm Dueck.

Dueck passed away Tuesday at the age of 64 following a brief battle with pneumonia.

From 1981 through 1999, Dueck was a mainstay in the WHL Office, serving in important administrative capacities.  Over his 18 years, Dueck began as the League Statistician and Executive Assistant before becoming Director of Information. Following his time with the WHL, Dueck joined Hockey Canada as the Manager, Officiating prior to overseeing the Team Canada Alumni Association beginning in 1999. He was continuing to work on various projects for Hockey Canada this year.

“Norm Dueck was a valued member of the WHL Office staff for 18 years. His loyalty to the game of hockey was evident throughout his lengthy career in the WHL, and continued while working for Hockey Canada,” said Richard Doerksen, WHL VP, Hockey. “He will be greatly missed by everyone in the hockey community.”

During the WHL’s 50th anniversary season, Dueck returned to play an important part in the celebrations, serving on the WHL Historians Committee that worked to determine the League’s top 125 players of all-time, and finally selecting the WHL’s ultimate list of its Top 50 Players.

Dueck was an inspiration to those who knew him. He spent many years working as an on-ice official with the Okotoks Minor Hockey Association and started their on-ice mentoring program to develop and support young officials. In 2002, he suffered a broken neck during a horseback riding accident, rendering him quadriplegic. Despite the challenges, Dueck persevered, continuing to work in the sport he loved. He also continued to volunteer in different capacities, including as a statistician for the Victoria Royals.

Born in Niverville, Man., Norm Dueck is survived by his wife of 36 years, Pauline.