Three Saskatchewan hockey officials have earned contributions to their respective college funds from the Seaman Hotchkiss Hockey Foundation.
Bob Millette, Adam Forbes, and Elizabeth Dornstauder are among this year’s recipients for the Ken Stiles Memorial Scholarship.
From the Saskatchewan Hockey Association:
Each season Hockey Canada allows officials from coast to coast to apply for the Ken Stiles Memorial Scholarship. This scholarship is available to officials who have completed high school or those who are currently attending post-secondary education. The Seaman Hotchkiss Hockey Foundation awards $12,000.00 annual to officials who apply and qualify. Saskatchewan claimed nearly half of the scholarship money this season with three scholarships recipients.
Along with the education aspect, candidates must also be a minimum Level 3 official and the male applicants must have participated in the Hockey Canada Officiating Program of Excellence at some point.
The Saskatchewan Officiating Development Program is happy to congratulate Bob Millette, Adam Forbes and Elizabeth Dornstauder on being awarded scholarships and being recognized for their contributions and efforts on the ice and dedication to schooling.
Millette, a 22-year-old referee in Regina, is a Level 5 official. He works as a referee in the WHL, CanWest, SJHL, SMU18AAAHL, PJHL, senior hockey and has also given back to the program by doing some grassroots official coaching at the lower levels and has provided support at SaskFirst camps. He was invited to the Hockey Canada OPOE Camp in 2018. Through that program he was selected to work the 2019 World Under 17 Challenge in Medicine Hat and Swift Current in November 2019.
Millette is currently enrolled in business administration at the University of Regina heading into his fifth year majoring in management. Millette received a scholarship for $2,000.00.
Forbes, a 21-year-old official from the Saskatoon, is a Level 5 official. He works games in the CanWest SJHL, SU18AAAHL, PJHL among other leagues, and like Millette, Forbes jumped at the opportunity to give back to officials this season with work as a grassroots official coach and skating instructor for the U15 SaskFirst Regional Camp. Forbes attended the Hockey Canada OPOE camp last season.
Forbes is pursuing his bachelor’s degree in civil engineering through the University of Saskatchewan. Currently he is on a 1-year co-op internship placement with Husky Energy and taking some summer classes. January he will return to full-time classes and will be in his third year of course with a goal to finish his degree in December of 2022. Forbes received a scholarship for $2,000.00.
Dornstauder, a 21-year-old official in Regina, is a Level 3 official. She works games in Female CanWest, SFU18AAAHL, SMU18AAHL and SAAHL among other minor hockey leagues. She also works as an assistant coach and official coach within Regina and is a leader for female officials from Regina. Dornstauder was selected to lines the Esso Cup this season had it not been cancelled due to Covid-19 and made the transition from linesing to refereeing in the female AAA league this season.
Dornstauder is currently enrolled in the secondary education program, majoring in math and minoring in physical education at the University of Regina. She is heading into her fourth and final year of studies. Dornstauder received a scholarship for $1,500.00.
Here’s more on Stiles, for whom the award is named.
The Kenneth R. Stiles Memorial Scholarship was established by the Seaman Hotchkiss Hockey Foundation (formerly Project 75) and Hockey Canada in recognition of Ken Stiles and his tremendous contribution to grassroots hockey in Canada. Through the vision and leadership of the Seaman Hotchkiss Hockey Foundation, many Hockey Canada development programs have received their start. The Hockey Canada Officiating Program of Excellence is an excellent example of this support.
The Seaman Hotchkiss Hockey Foundation is committed to providing Canadian student athletes and officials with access to financial resources to support their pursuit of post secondary education. Ken Stiles was a big part of the Project 75 organization for many years and was a catalyst in planning and designing an initiative aimed at providing players and officials who demonstrate excellence in sport and commitment to education, access to a unique scholarship program.
Kenneth Roy Stiles was born in Didsbury, Alberta. He began his education riding a horse to a one-room schoolhouse three miles from the family farm near Didsbury. He attended the Vermilion School of Agriculture as well as the University of Alberta, where he earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Agricultural Economics.
Ken’s career included farming and ranching, management of growing and successful law firms, senior management positions, and directorships in a variety of Alberta industries. He played a significant role in the support of many Hockey Canada initiatives. A former leader of the Meadowbank 4-H Beef Club, he was also a founding member of the Pekisko Landowners’ Association and was dedicated to the preservation of fescue grasslands on the Eastern Slopes of the Rocky Mountains.
He is among the last of a generation who knows what it was to farm with horses. All who knew him respected his warmth, intelligence, honour, sage counsel and the unbreakable value of his handshake.
Congratulations to Millette, Forbes, and Dornstauder, as well as this year’s other recipients. All the best in your future education, your careers, and on the ice.
