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President, Chairman & Governor of
many
Sports-Related Organizations & Committees
Coach, Organizer & Promoter
From 1978-1994
Bob Hartnell is being recognized for his
volunteer work in recreation and sport in Wetaskiwin. Bob was chairman
or a member of many recreation committees; was President or Governor of
numerous sport or hockey related organizations and leagues; coached
and/or managed many hockey teams; initiated many innovative programs and
organized countless hockey activities. Through his involvement Bob has
made significant contributions to the citizens of our community.
Bob became involved in coaching when his
sons started playing hockey. From 1978-1986 he coached at the Novice,
Atom and Pee Wee Levels. For the next two years (1986-87, 1987-88), Bob
was the manager of the Bantam “AA” Legion 86’s that won two Provincial
Championships. When the Legion 86’s were inducted into the Wetaskiwin &
County Sports Hall of Fame, Bob was given high praise for the work he
did with these young men. During his time coaching and managing, Bob
also accepted the responsibilities of League Governor for the North
Central Hockey League from 1985-1989. He was Governor of the PeeWee AA
League for two years and the Bantam AA League for two years.
Additionally, it was Bob who initiated the south versus north “All Star”
games at these levels.
High Praise for the Work He Did in Hockey
In 1979, when the Wetaskiwin Minor Hockey
Association was in need of a boost, Bob took over the helm. He was
active on the board from 1979-1991 and served as President for eight
years, Past-President for three years and also assumed the duties of
Equipment Manager. During his term as President he implemented a
structure for financial stability and development of players. He
highlighted Minor Hockey Week with challenges to Camrose to a “home on
home” at all levels. Bob also worked with Hockey Canada to position
Wetaskiwin to implement Fundamentals in Action (FIA) a program that
continues today at all levels. Educating coaches and improving coaching
standards was always a focus. With Bob’s leadership, Wetaskiwin minor
hockey flourished.
Scout for the Western Hockey League
 From 1979-1982 Bob was a member of the
Recreation Board. He worked on the committee seeing through the
construction of the Aboussafy Centre, Wetaskiwin’s new swimming pool.
Bob was also chairman of the committee that initiated the building of
the second Arena. Both ventures added greatly to the recreational
facilities in Wetaskiwin.
For eight years Bob was a Scout for the
Western Hockey League and worked for the Lethbridge Hurricanes from
1986-1992 and with the Red Deer Rebels from 1992-1994. During that time
Bob organized Wetaskiwin’s hosting of two WHL games, well received
events that helped to motivate young hockey players to aspire to higher
levels.
Spearheaded Formation of Wetaskiwin Junior B Team
Wetaskiwin Icemen Hockey Team owes it’s
existence in part to the contributions of Bob Hartnell. In 1990 he
spearheaded the formation of our Wetaskiwin Junior B team that competes
in the North East Junior “B” League. For the first three years of
league play, Bob was the manager of the team and the team went to the
finals all three years (1991-1994). During his time with the Icemen,
Bob organized a game in Wetaskiwin against the Czechoslovakian National
Junior Team that was competing in the Viking Cup in Camrose. The game
was well attended and tested and inspired the Icemen.
Besides all of his volunteer
involvement, Bob still found time to play hockey himself and played with
the Wetaskiwin Relics Hockey Team from 1980-1998. It was Bob, with the
help of his fellow “Relic” team mates, that organized a conditioning
camp for all Wetaskiwin Minor hockey players. Bob also volunteered for
the Wetaskiwin Fire Department for fourteen years.
The people of our community and especially
the youth have benefitted immensely from the volunteer commitment of Bob
Hartnell. We acknowledge Bob’s outstanding efforts and accomplishments
as well as his energy and dedication by inducting him into the
Wetaskiwin and County Sports Hall of Fame.
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