STEER RIDING – Ryder Topolinski is the Junior Steer Riding Champion at the Canadian Finals Rodeo for a second year in a row!
He finished out his steer riding career as the Canadian Professional Rodeo Association season leader and the Canadian Final Rodeos average winner.
In addition to winning his second Canadian Championship, Ryder is the 2026 Calgary Stampede Steer Riding Champion.
The 15 year old also brought home new saddles and hardware this season as the Steer Riding Champion for the Lakeland Rodeo Association and Wildrose Rodeo Association. He earned the Steer Riding buckle at the Grande Prairie Stompede and rode to a 1st place finish at the Teepee Creek Pro Rodeo & Stampede.
Ryder also picked up wins at the Bowden Daze Rodeo, Coronation Pro Rodeo, Okotoks Pro Rodeo and Raymond Stampede.
Fun Fact: Ryder was 11 years old when he won the Junior World Bareback Riding Championship in Las Vegas.
HOCKEY – Dave MacPherson – Grande Prairie
Winner of Hockey Alberta’s Dave Ganley Award. This prestigious award is presented to individuals who have made an outstanding contribution to Hockey Officiating Development in Alberta. Into his 19th season as an official with the Alberta Junior Hockey League, Dave also works with officials who referee games for Grande Prairie Minor Hockey.
Provided by Hockey Alberta:
Joining the officiating program in 1982, Dave spent time officiating in Red Deer and Edmonton. After a brief hiatus for University, Dave began officiating again and found success at the highest amateur levels. Dave has also served in several off-ice roles throughout Alberta during his time in the program. Among others Dave has served as: an officiating clinic facilitator, official’s coach, regional subcommittee member of both the North Central and Peace Regions of the Hockey Alberta Official’s Committee, Referee in Chief of the 2024 Alberta Winter Games and countless roles as an official’s supervisor at Hockey Alberta Provincial Championships.
Hockey Alberta is proud to recognize Dave for his countless hours of officiating development support and the number of officials he has helped along their respective journeys. His contributions will be felt for years to come, making him a truly deserving recipient of this award.
HOCKEY – Damon Jeffs – Peace River
Winner of Hockey Alberta’s Order of Merit, presented for Excellence in Development. Damon is a volunteer with the Peace River Minor Hockey.
Provided by Hockey Alberta
For more than 30 years, Damon Jeffs has dedicated himself to developing hockey players, coaches, and communities through the game. His experience includes junior hockey in Nelson and Trail, British Columbia, more than three decades of volunteer coaching, roles with Peace River Minor Hockey and the Nelson Leafs, work with Team Alberta, and repeated involvement with the Arctic Winter Games as a coach and evaluator for both Team Alberta as well as Team Northwest Territories.
He has helped athletes advance to Junior A, Junior B, collegiate, university, and other higher levels while mentoring hundreds of players through hockey schools, development camps, elite skill sessions, and evaluation programs.
Damon is also a High Performance 1 Certified Coach and Hockey Alberta Facilitator who has delivered certification clinics, mentored coaches through the National Coaching Certification Program, and promoted long-term player development.
One of his proudest accomplishments is helping establish the Grizzlies Peace Region Hockey Tour Society, creating international hockey and cultural experiences for rural Northern Alberta athletes. This program uses hockey as a vehicle for cultural education and personal growth as it takes athletes overseas to compete against international teams. This year’s program is heading on a Scandinavian Tour with U16 & U18 athletes from August 1st – August 10th.
Throughout his career, Damon’s philosophy has remained centered on character, respect, accountability, teamwork, leadership, and creating positive opportunities that extend far beyond the game.