Graham’s favorite quote, “It’s A Great Day For Hockey” by friend, “Badger” Bob Johnson. Bob was “just a great, great guy”, says Graham.
“BADGER” BOB MEETS WITH GRAHAM PARSONS & LANNY MCDONALD.
In 1971, at an Alberta Junior Hockey League All-Star game where both Graham and Lanny McDonald (one of Canada’s greatest hockey players), were being recruited by Bob to go to the University of Wisconsin. Graham and Lanny were playing Tier 2 at the time, and qualified for American college. Lanny went on to the Western Canada Hockey League and Graham continued with Tier 2 until he was drafted and played Pro.
WHO WAS “BADGER” BOB JOHNSON?
(March 4, 1931 – November 26, 1991) “Badger” Bob was head of USA hockey for awhile, coached the University of Wisconsion and led them to several championships. Bob also coached the Winter Olympic hockey team, US teams in the Canada Cup, several US National teams, coached the Pittsburg Penguins, starring Mario Lemieux, to the Stanley Cup Finals. And he coached the Calgary Flames leading them to a Stanley Cup Finals loss in 1986.
SLHC Founder & President, Graham Parsons, receives the 2015 Zone 4 Award for Outstanding Contribution Towards Minor Hockey in Alberta.
ALMOST 50 YEARS OF MINOR HOCKEY DEDICATION.
1966-1968: Coach Camrose Minor Hockey Association
(1969-1972: Played Junior A Hockey, 1972-75 Was drafted by Montreal Canadiens, played Professional Hockey)
1975-1978: Coach Sylvan Lake Minor Hockey Association
1979-1980: President Sylvan Lake Minor Hockey Association
(1980-1984: Managed Red Deer Rustlers & Hobbema Hawks in the Alberta Junior Hockey League)
1984-1988: Coach Sylvan Lake Minor Hockey Association
1992-1998: Coach Sylvan Lake Minor Hockey Association
1992-2001: Board Member Sylvan Lake Minor Hockey Association
1993-2002: Manager Red Deer Minor Hockey Commission (Red Deer Midget AAA)
2006-2008: Hockey Alberta Zone 4 Manager of Development
2008-2013: Hockey Alberta Board of Directors-Zone 4 Representative
2013-Present: Hockey Alberta Zone 4 Operations Advisory Committee Representative
COMMITTEES:
2009-2013: Hockey Alberta Pond Hockey
2010-Present: Chairman Hockey Alberta Elite Hockey Development Model
2010-Present: Chairman Hockey Alberta League Liaison Committee
2013-Present: Chairman Hockey Alberta AA Model Ad Hoc Committee
Congratulations Graham!