Playoffs!

GBHA E-News | N.40

We’ve got a short E-News for you today, as everyone’s focus is going to be on the action in Saskatoon this weekend.

So let’s start with that right off the hop.

1. Bears vs. Huskies: As you’ve likely seen, the Bears are heading to Saskatoon this weekend for their Canada West quarter-final playoff series against the University of Saskatchewan Huskies.

It’s a best-of-three series, with the Huskies hosting all the games. If you’re thinking of heading to Saskatoon to help support the team, as some of us are, games are Friday and Saturday night at 7:00 pm and Sunday at 6:00 pm, if necessary.  Tickets can be accessed on the U of S online ticketing platform through this link.

Here is a link to the final U Sports men’s hockey standings across Canada: U SPORTS Men's Hockey - U SPORTS - English and here is a link to the national rankings: 2026 U SPORTS Men's Hockey Rankings - February 17 - U SPORTS - English.

As we all know, anything can happen in a short playoff series. Coach Ian Herbers and GM/Ass’t Coach Stan Marple will absolutely have the team ready and primed for the opening face-off on Friday night.

Let’s wish them all well – if you’d like to send us back an email of support to the team, please do so and we’ll make sure they get it before Friday night.

2. 1985-86 National championship team reunion: Huge congrats to Jeff Helland and everyone who contributed to what was a fabulous February 6-7 weekend reunion for the ’85-’86 Bears’ 40th anniversary celebration of their national championship win. Thanks to U of A’s Sports Information and Communications Coordinator Connor Hood for this great pic below:

And thanks to GBHA Media Relations Director Delaney Miles for this link from our GBHA website to more pics of the weekend https://gbhky.com/golden-bears-85-86-team-40-year-reunion as well as to this short reel she made of her weekend pics: https://youtube.com/shorts/-HKQzpS42H0?feature=share.

These weekend reunions and celebrations provide the glue that binds us all together. Let’s continue doing this, and it doesn’t have to be limited to national championship teams. We’ve enjoyed phenomenal support from the U of A Athletics Department for hosting these and pulling them all together.

So, if you want to get together for a team reunion with your former teammates, let us know and we’ll help. We’ve seen two of these in the last two years – the ’74-’75 team effort and this past weekend’s effort from Jeff Helland and his group. The organizers of those two weekends can help you with thoughts and ideas that might work for your team as well.  So let’s make these happen.  

3. Bob Steadward celebration:  Another highlight of the ’86-’86 team’s weekend celebration was the ceremony pictured below when U of A Athletics Director Leah Pezer honoured Dr. Bob Steadward for his induction in the Canada West Hall of Fame.  Here is an excellent Canada West Hall of Fame bio that highlights Bob’s many, many contributions: Bob Steadward (Builder)
   

Two weeks earlier, Bob was honoured at the Saville Centre at an event devoted to The Steadward Paralympic Journey. Here is a brief passage from Bob’s speaking notes at that event that we thought would resonate with all GBHA members – especially the last paragraph:

Two (2) years ago, my very special friends, The Honourable Lois Mitchell, former Lieutenant Governor of Alberta and Dale Schulha, the most recent inductee to the Alberta Sports Hall of Fame asked me if I was available to meet! They both asked me why we celebrate the lives of people after they have died? Why do we not celebrate the lives, accomplishments, and contributions of people while they are still living? At first, I was apprehensive, confused and unsure what they were getting at until they explained themselves further and what they had on their minds.

For this recognition and celebration, I am feeling somewhat awkward and nervous; and yet profoundly humble and most grateful.

For nearly 60 years now, I have had the opportunity and privilege to work alongside dedicated volunteers and staff who have made it possible for people living with a disability to reach their potential goals and dreams.

It all started for me in 1967 when I was a member of the organizing committee to host the first ever National Wheelchair Games at the UofA in 1968.Ten (10) years later, in 1978, I felt we needed to create an accessible and inclusive Centre (The Steadward Centre) where people with a disability could access professional staff and a barrier free environment to train and develop their skills for independence. This was followed by my involvement in the creation of the IPC in 1989. And as they say, the rest is history.

So, this celebration today is NOT about me. It is about the thousands of children and adults who attend The Steadward Centre to improve and achieve their health, fitness and lifestyle goals; and, to develop the skills necessary to become independent, functioning and contributing members of our community. It is also for the millions of Paralympians around the world who work tirelessly everyday with their coaches, sponsors and organizations to reach their highest level of performance at the Paralympic games.

In the early days we were a mere fledgling caught within the superstructure of international sport. But we fought for our rights, recognition, profile, and reputation. We learned how to adapt without compromising our core values and eventually we grew into one of the largest sporting movements in the world today. We did, however, have massive challenges over the years to knock down barriers, change attitudes, convince politicians to change laws, and to be integrated and included within national and international sporting movements.

Throughout my years of involvement and dedication, I always remind people that no one ever achieves anything on their own. It is always a team effort. I think about snowflakes, nature’s most fragile elements, but just look at what they can achieve when they stick together. And, as a mentor and colleague of mine said to me, “It is amazing what can be accomplished when no one cares who gets the credit.”  

Thanks for your continued interest and support.

Go Bears! Let’s kick some Huskies butt this weekend.