LSHOF announce 2025 inductees

By Lethbridge Herald on February 26, 2025.

Lethbridge Herald

The Lethbridge Sports Hall of Fame announced its 2025 induction class on Wednesday morning.

The inductees include former NHL player Kyle McLaren for hockey, former Raymond boxer Curtis Hatch, the combined American Legion baseball teams of the 1986 Lethbridge Miners and the 1987 Lethbridge Elks, Kevin Kvame for baseball, the Hurricane group under hockey,  Malcolm Kano for the special award and the historical inductee goes Herman Linder for rodeo.

LSHOF also selected two Kinsmen Sports Persons of the Year in rugby player Keyara Wardley for the female recipient  and swimmer Apollo Hess as the male recipient.

McLaren began playing minor hockey in Coaldale at eight years old and it was in July 1995 he was taken 9th overall in the NHL draft by the Boston Bruins and was an 18-year-old that made their roster and ended up pairing with Hall of Fame defenceman Ray Bourque.

He concluded his NHL career in the 2007-2008 season and ended with 46 goals, 161 assists in 719 games played and had a plus/minus rating of plus 27.

“His unwavering dedication and exceptional talent solidified his reputation as a dominant and respected player in professional ice hockey,” as read in the release.

As for Hatch, he began his boxing career at nine years old under the legendary Kai Yip and it was upon retiring in 1993 that he collected 112 wins and 33 defeats for an official record without experiencing a knock out. He won 13 provincial championships, seven Golden Glove awards and was a two-time Alberta Diamond Belt champion and a two-time Canadian champion. Hatch medalled in numerous countries as a part of representing his country internationally.

Hatch passed away in 2010 at the age of 40.

The 1986 Lethbridge Miners baseball team were crowned Montana State “B” champions while they were competing in the Montana State American Legion Program and  for a Canadian team that was considered an extraordinary achievement.

Ten players from that team moved on to the 1987 Elks, who went on to win the Montana American Legion “A” Division championship and it was their third title in seven years.

“These achievements reflect the teams’ exceptional skill and dedication,” as read in the release.

Both teams will go in under the team category.

Kvame will be inducted under the builders category for four decades of advancing baseball’s cause in the city and surrounding area and his ability to advance the sport to new heights.

“Kvame views baseball as a vehicle for teaching life skills alongside technical skills. His leadership style is characterized by a balance of professionalism, approachability, and genuine concern for the personal and professional growth of team members,” as read in the release.

“His leadership style is characterized by a balance of professionalism, approachability, and genuine concern for the personal and professional growth of team members.”

The Hurricane group of Alfrid Gurr, Joe and Ted Feller, Dennis Pahara and Brad Goodman will go in the LSHOF under the builder’s category for their efforts of ensuring a junior hockey remained in the city.

Avid athlete Malcolm Kano will be inducted under the special award category for his efforts for over 40 years in promoting sports participation.

Linder, who passed away in 2001 at the age of 93 in Cardston, is going into the hall of fame under the historical category because of being a seven-time all around Canadian champion and winning 22 championships  at the Calgary Stampede.

He later created rodeos across Canada to promote the sport.

The induction ceremony is on May 9 in the Lakeview Salon at the Lethbridge &District Agri-Food Hub.

Tickets soon will be available for purchase on the LSHOF website.