A former Calgary Hitmen player and founder of the Tsuut’ina 7 Chiefs Hockey Program has been named a finalist for the annual Willie O’Ree Community Hero Award, the NHL announced earlier this week. Brent Dodginghorse created the program at Tsuut’ina to promote greater respect, understanding and appreciation for fellow hockey players regardless of race, ethnicity or ability. The program has been taken by close to 4,000 people since its founding in 2019. The 47-year-old, who’s a consultant with the Calgary Flames and a former rodeo champion, works with his cousin Kyle Dodginghorse at Tsuut’ina, where they talk about diversity and mentor young players at the 7 Chiefs Sportsplex and Chief Jim Starlight Centre on Tsuut’ina Nation. DH Ranch Dodginghorse and his wife Sonya also developed the DH Ranch on Tsuut’ina that uses horses to run kids’ camps and design team-building programs for organizations looking to become more inclusive. He’s one of three finalists and two Albertans – the other is Edmonton’s Arjun Atwal, the founder of AZ1 hockey –up for the award, which will be announced in June. The winner receives a $25,000 prize to be donated to the charity of their choice. The third nominee is Mackenzie Janes of Ottawa, who’s the founder and president of Next Shift Hockey, an organization that provides free hockey equipment to anyone in need. Dodginghorse was nominated by Calgary Flames Foundation executive director Candice Goudie. “He has been such a tremendous advocate and friend and peer and mentor to our entire organization at the Calgary Flames and Calgary Hitmen,” Goudie said, in a story about Dodginghorse by William Douglas posted on the NHL website. “A lot of what we’ve built as far as inclusion in our minor hockey programs and in our celebration games, Brent has been a part of that. We are just so lucky to have him.” Dodginghorse had 81 points (27 goals and 54 assists) in 103 games for the Calgary Hitmen between 1997 and 1999, helping the club win the WHL’s President’s Cup in 1999. Calgary hockey coach Dampy Brar previously won the Willie O’Ree Award in 2020. The award is named after Willie O’Ree, the first Black hockey player in the NHL, who played for the Boston Bruins between 1957 and 1961.
