The Calgary Flames acknowledged the passing of Libin on Monday. He was 95.

Libin, who hailed from Calgary, joined the Calgary Sports & Entertainment Corporation ownership group in 1994.

Over his time with CSEC, Libin was involved in the acquisition of the Calgary Hitmen, CFL’s Calgary Stampeders, and NLL’s Calgary Roughnecks, along with the relocation of the AHL’s Wranglers to Calgary.

Libin was instrumental in the years leading up to construction on Scotia Place – Calgary’s new downtown arena, which is scheduled to open in September 2027.

He was widely regarded by his colleagues as passionate about the community and the fans.

Libin served as a director on numerous corporate and community boards, was an Officer of the Order of Canada, holds an Honorary Doctor of Laws degree from the University of Calgary, and was inducted into the Alberta Order of Excellence in 2004.

The President and CEO of Balmon Investments Ltd., Libin also established The Libin Cardiovascular Institute of Alberta in partnership with the University of Calgary and Alberta Health Services.

On behalf of the WHL and its 23 member Clubs, we extend our deepest condolences and sympathies to family, friends, colleagues, and all those who knew Alvin.

–

Calder passed Monday at the age of 47.

Hailing from Mannville, Alta., Calder enjoyed an outstanding four seasons in the WHL, racking up 232 points (95G-137A) in 212 career WHL regular season games. The 5-foot-11, 176-pound left winger broke into the WHL as a member of the Pats during the 1995-96 season. In 1996-97, he emerged as a legitimate offensive weapon in the Queen City, tallying 59 points (25G-34A) in 62 games. That campaign put Calder on the radar of NHL scouts, and he was selected in the fifth round (130th overall) by the Chicago Blackhawks in the 1997 NHL Draft.

On the heels of the 1997 NHL Draft, Calder returned to the WHL where he registered a career best 77 points (27G-50A) in 62 games during the 1997-98 season. Calder split the 1998-99 campaign between the Pats and Kamloops Blazers. In 61 contests, he exceeded his previous mark by collecting 88 points (42G-46A). That season, he also represented Canada at the IIHF World Junior Championship, recording eight points (2G-6A) in seven games, helping secure a silver medal for his nation.

Dealt to the Blazers ahead of the 1999 WHL Trade Deadline, Calder went on to post 16 points (6G-10A) in 15 playoff games as Kamloops advanced to the WHL Championship, before falling to the Calgary Hitmen in five games.

Calder made his NHL debut the following season, seeing action in eight games and tallying two points (1G-1A) with the Blackhawks. He went on to play 590 career regular season games across 10 NHL campaigns, scoring 294 points (114G-180A).

In Chicago, Calder’s time peaked during the 2005-06 season when he served as an alternate captain and collected a career best 59 points (26G-33A) in 79 games. From there, he went on to make stops with the Philadelphia Flyers, Detroit Red Wings, Los Angeles Kings, and Anaheim Ducks, before ultimately retiring from pro hockey at the conclusion of the 2011-12 season.

On behalf of the WHL and its 23 member Clubs, we extend our deepest condolences and sympathies to family, friends, and all those who knew Kyle Calder.

Shannon spent 31 years with the Wheat Kings, making an impact on players, staff, billets, and more. She handled a wide variety of duties in the Wheat Kings office, including accounting, billet coordination, the Wheat Kings education fund, and much more.

Known for her kind and caring demeanour, Shannon was a cherished member of the Wheat Kings family.

Shannon retired from the Wheat Kings in May 2021.

The Western Hockey League sends its condolences to Lyn’s husband, Barry, her children Tricia and Tom, her grandchildren, extended family, and all those lucky enough to have known her over the years.

Seeley, 47, was unveiled as Assistant GM of the Canucks and General Manager of the AHL’s Abbotsford Canucks on June 11.

“Rich is someone I have admired and respected for a long time, after watching him run the Kings AHL team in Ontario,” said Ryan Johnson, General Manager of the Canucks. “Besides knowing the game of hockey inside and out, he is a great communicator, goes to work every day with an open mind and sets his players up for success by creating an environment that tries to eliminate any excuse that would stop them from making progress. Rich understands our values and vision, and I believe his mindset and mentality will fit in nicely with what we are trying to establish with our organization in both Abbotsford and Vancouver.”

From 2015-16 to 2017-18, Seeley served as Head Coach of the ECHL’s Manchester Monarchs. He then moved up to the AHL, where he became General Manager of the Ontario Reign – a position he held from 2018-19 through the conclusion of the 2025-26 season. During Seeley’s final season with AHL Ontario, the Reign enjoyed a franchise-best season with a record of 47-20-3-2 en route to capturing the AHL’s Pacific Division title.

Hailing from Powell River, B.C., Seeley played three seasons in the WHL from 1996-97 through 1998-99. During his final WHL campaign, he served as captain of the Raiders and posted 58 points (10G-48A) in 61 games. A 6-foot-1, 205-pound defenceman, Seeley was a sixth-round pick (137th overall) of the Los Angeles Kings in the 1997 NHL Draft and went on to play 399 career AHL games. Seeley’s playing career wrapped up in 2010-11 following five seasons in Europe.

Seeley was selected by the Lethbridge Hurricanes in the fourth round (63rd overall) of the 1994 WHL Draft. He was dealt to the Raiders ahead of the 1997 WHL Trade Deadline in the blockbuster trade that saw Chris Phillips moved to the Hurricanes. Over 147 career WHL regular season games, Seeley accrued 88 points (18G-70A), a plus-27 rating, and 233 minutes in penalties.

The Montreal Canadiens prospect finished the 2025-26 season with 83 points, including 45 goals and 38 assists, along with a plus-55 rating in 55 games. His 45 goals were the most by a CHL defenceman in nearly 40 years, dating back to Greg Hawgood’s 48-goal campaign in 1987-88, and the highest single-season total by a CHL blueliner in the 21st century.

Pickford was the only defenceman to finish among the CHL’s top 10 goal scorers in 2025-26. His 45 goals were tied for second among WHL skaters, while his 19 power-play goals and 11 game-winning goals ranked tied for first in the CHL. The 20-year-old captain from Chauvin, Alta., also helped Medicine Hat claim a second consecutive Central Division title and was named to the WHL Eastern Conference First All-Star Team.

With the honour, Pickford becomes the second Medicine Hat Tigers player to win CHL Defenceman of the Year, joining Kris Russell, who earned the award in 2006-07.

Defenceman of the Year Award Winner – Bryce Pickford (Medicine Hat Tigers / WHL) Nominees – Kashawn Aitcheson (Barrie Colts / OHL) & Tommy Bleyl (Moncton Wildcats / QMJHL)

Winners were recognized at the 2026 CHL Awards ceremony, Monday, June 15, in downtown Toronto. The finalists for each CHL award were determined by the winners of the corresponding honours presented by the CHL’s three Member Leagues: the Western Hockey League (WHL), Ontario Hockey League (OHL), and Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League (QMJHL).

Across the 30 finalist spots for this year’s 10 CHL awards, 19 different CHL clubs are represented, including seven from the WHL, six from the OHL, and six from the QMJHL — reflecting standout 2025-26 seasons from players, coaches, and organizations across the CHL.

Steve Hamilton of the Everett Silvertips (WHL) earned the honour after guiding Everett through the best season in franchise history. In just his second season with the Silvertips, Hamilton led the club to a 57-8-2-1 record and 117 points, helping Everett capture a second straight Scotty Munro Memorial Trophy as WHL regular-season champions.

Everett’s 57 wins and 117 points both set franchise records, while the Silvertips’ .860 points percentage ranked seventh all-time in CHL history among teams that played at least 50 games. The club was one of the CHL’s most complete teams, finishing third in the WHL with 304 goals for while allowing just 173 goals against, the second-fewest in the league.

Hamilton’s season continued into a historic postseason run, as Everett went 16-2 through the WHL Playoffs to capture the first Ed Chynoweth Cup title in franchise history. The Silvertips then made their first Memorial Cup appearance, recorded their first Memorial Cup win and shutout, and advanced to their first Memorial Cup Final. Hamilton becomes the first Silvertips coach to capture the CHL Brian Kilrea Coach of the Year Award.

Brian Kilrea Coach of the Year Award Winner – Steve Hamilton (Everett Silvertips / WHL) Nominees – Dave Cameron (Ottawa 67’s / OHL) & Sylvain Favreau (Drummondville Voltigeurs / QMJHL)

Winners were recognized at the 2026 CHL Awards ceremony, Monday, June 15, in downtown Toronto. The finalists for each CHL award were determined by the winners of the corresponding honours presented by the CHL’s three Member Leagues: the Western Hockey League (WHL), Ontario Hockey League (OHL), and Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League (QMJHL).

Across the 30 finalist spots for this year’s 10 CHL awards, 19 different CHL clubs are represented, including seven from the WHL, six from the OHL, and six from the QMJHL — reflecting standout 2025-26 seasons from players, coaches, and organizations across the CHL.