The 2026 induction class of the Alberta Sports Hall of Fame will honour a heavy dose of Calgary talent.
The Red Deer-based organization recently unveiled their list of athletes and pioneers that will be recognized during a June 6th induction ceremony.
“Each year, the Alberta Sports Hall of Fame has the honour of recognizing remarkable individuals who have shaped sport in our province. The Class of 2026 is no exception,” said Alberta Sports Hall of Fame Board Chair Murray Cunningham in a press release.
“This group includes Olympians, record breakers, and dedicated sport builders whose impact reaches far beyond competition. We are proud to celebrate their achievements and preserve their stories for future generations.”
Here’s a closer look at the new crop of Hall of Famers with ties to Calgary. The bios were published by the Alberta Sports Hall of Fame:
1995 Calgary Canucks — Hockey Team
The 1995 Calgary Canucks stand as one of Alberta’s greatest junior hockey teams, built entirely from local Hockey Calgary talent. After finishing second in the regular season, the Canucks powered through the AJHL playoffs to win the league title and then captured the Doyle Cup, earning their spot at the Centennial Cup in Ottawa. Their national championship run became one of the most memorable in tournament history. In the final, the Canucks forced overtime with a goal in the last minute of regulation before Jason Abramoff scored the winner, securing Calgary’s first national title and the final championship contested under the Centennial Cup name before it became the Royal Bank Cup. The team’s success showcased the strength of Calgary’s grassroots development system and reinforced the city’s status as a junior hockey powerhouse. Defined by resilience, leadership, and a deep commitment to team play, the 1995 Calgary Canucks left a legacy that continues to influence junior hockey in Alberta and across Canada.
Kasia Gruchalla-Wesierski — Rowing Athlete
Kasia Gruchalla-Wesierski began her athletic career as an alpine skier before shifting to rowing in 2014 with the Calgary Rowing Club. Her rapid rise in the sport led to her joining the Canadian senior national team in 2018, marking the start of her impact on the world stage. She became a key member of Canada’s women’s eight, contributing to multiple World Cup podiums and earning a bronze medal at the 2022 World Rowing Championships. One of the defining moments of her career came at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games. Just weeks before competition, she suffered a severe cycling accident—breaking her collarbone, bruising her hip, and requiring 56 stitches. Her five-week comeback to reclaim her seat culminated in winning Olympic gold with the W8+, one of the most celebrated stories of the Games. Kasia continued to excel, capturing silver in the women’s eight at Paris 2024 and winning gold at the 2024 World Cup in Lucerne. She was named the Calgary Booster Club’s winner of the Henry Viney Trophy as the Female Athlete of the Year for 2024. Beyond competition, she remains deeply involved in the rowing community as a coach in Calgary and will serve as an Athlete Services Officer with the Canadian Olympic Committee at the 2026 Milano Cortina Winter Olympics.
Donna Rudakas — Basketball Builder
Donna Rudakas began shaping Alberta basketball in the early years of her coaching career, eventually joining the University of Calgary Dinos and leading the women’s program through a dominant 14-year run. Under her guidance, the Dinos made 13 playoff appearances, captured five Canada West titles, and delivered a historic undefeated 36-0 season in 1988–89—part of a remarkable 69-game winning streak, one of the longest in North American women’s basketball. Donna was known for her forward-thinking approach, pioneering offensive and defensive systems built around the newly introduced three-point line. Her leadership developed numerous national team players, All-Canadians, and athletes who went on to professional and high-profile careers. Off the court, she became a powerful advocate for women in sport. Rudakas delivered clinics, camps, and leadership programs across Alberta, promoting participation, academic success, and lifelong confidence through basketball. Her commitment to developing athletes and empowering young women earned her multiple coaching honours and deep respect across the Canadian basketball community. Widely regarded as a visionary builder, Rudakas’ influence continues to shape the game—and the players—who follow in her footsteps.
Allen Berg — Motorsport Achievement
Allen Berg is one of Alberta’s most accomplished motorsport athletes and remains the only Albertan to compete in Formula 1. Raised in Calgary, he began karting in the late 1970s and quickly rose through the ranks, winning back-to-back Alberta championships. He advanced into Formula Ford and Formula F, earning multiple Rookie of the Year awards and Canadian Driver of the Year honours before moving onto the international stage. Berg competed in British Formula 3, finishing second overall in 1984. His success earned him a Formula 1 contract with Osella, and in 1986 he competed in nine Grand Prix events against some of the sport’s greatest drivers. He later transitioned into endurance racing, taking part in major events such as the 24 Hours of Le Mans and the IMSA Daytona 24 Hours. After retiring from professional competition, Berg turned his focus to mentorship and driver development. He founded the Allen Berg Racing School, where he has trained more than 10,000 drivers across Canada, the United States, Mexico, and Europe, advancing driver safety and high-performance training worldwide. Inducted into the Canadian Motorsport Hall of Fame in 2019, Berg’s career reflects international success, a dedication to education, and a lasting impact on motorsport in Alberta and beyond.
Dr. Bob Bratton — Volleyball Pioneer
Dr. Bob Bratton is a trailblazer who helped turn volleyball in Alberta from a casual pastime into a powerhouse sport. He discovered the game at 20 while in graduate school in Chicago, earning a silver medal at the U.S. collegiate championship before bringing his passion north. Over the next several decades, Bratton became one of the sport’s strongest architects—serving more than 20 years as President of the Alberta Volleyball Association and later as Vice-President of Volleyball Canada, where he advanced player development, coaching standards, and officiating programs nationwide. As head coach of the University of Calgary men’s team from 1962 to 1976, he led Canada’s first university volleyball tour of Europe, opening doors for international competition. Alberta’s first National Referee, Bratton also created the Masters Officials Program—still a benchmark for training officials at every level. He authored coaching manuals, hosted clinics and camps across the province, and played a key role in bringing the Canadian Men’s National Team to Calgary. Inducted into both the Volleyball Canada Hall of Fame (2003) and Volleyball Alberta Hall of Fame (2005), Bratton’s impact is lasting. His vision and leadership helped establish Alberta as one of the country’s strongest centres for volleyball—nationally and internationally.
David Moir – Bell Memorial
David Moir has built a remarkable career in Canadian sports broadcasting after an accomplished athletic youth. Growing up in Calgary, he excelled in football, basketball, hockey, and track and field—earning city championships, All-Star honours, and setting junior football records with the Calgary Colts. He transitioned into sports media in the early 1980s and quickly became a trusted statistician and graphics coordinator for Calgary Flames broadcasts and CFL coverage. Over more than 40 years, Moir has contributed to 37 Grey Cups, 21 Stanley Cup Finals, 8 Olympic Games—including the iconic 2010 Vancouver Olympic hockey gold medal game—and numerous world championship events. He is widely respected for his precision, professionalism, and ability to anticipate broadcaster needs in high-pressure environments. Known for elevating the quality of live sports coverage, Moir has worked alongside many of Canada’s leading media personalities and is regarded as “at the top of his craft.” His decades of service have strengthened sports broadcasting nationwide and reflect a lifelong commitment to Alberta athletics and storytelling.