A two-time Olympic gold medalist, a top defenceman in the NHL, a tireless supporter of swimming and a Special Olympics athlete who made a big splash in 2025 are the headliners of the Calgary Booster Club’s annual award announcements.
The Calgary Booster Club is proud to announce its Athletes of the Year – based on performance during the 2025 calendar year – as well as the winner of its most prestigious award, Sportsperson of the Year, and the honour of top Special Olympics performer:
- Sportsperson of the Year — DON BUCHIGNANI, former president of University of Calgary Swim Club
- Henry Viney Trophy (Female) — IVANIE BLONDIN, speed skating
- Scott-Mamini Memorial Award (Male) — CALE MAKAR, hockey
- Jack Gregory Award Winner (Special Olympics) – CASEY KRUSE, swimming
Award winners, including Honoured Athletic Leaders and endowment recipients, will be officially recognized on Sunday, April 19th at the Calgary Booster Club’s 72nd annual gala. Tickets for the reception at the Grey Eagle Resort and Casino are available at calgaryboosterclub.com.
SPORTSPERSON OF THE YEAR — DON BUCHIGNANI
Don Buchignani certainly knows how to make a big splash.
After growing up in Trail, B.C., Buchignani became a teacher in the Calgary Catholic School District, where he coached volleyball, basketball, hockey and cheerleading.
His passion, however, was at the pool. Buchignani coached several successful swimming and diving teams at St. Francis High School. He also served as the official starter at the annual Calgary high school swim and dive meets for more than 20 years. Under his stewardship, over 1,000 competitors were organized and put through their heats and finals during this one-day meet.
Buchignani’s community involvement included roles as the president of the University of Calgary Swim Club, president of the Lindsay Park Sports Society, and as a board member with Swim Canada and Swim Alberta. He also worked diligently as the Swim Canada Team Manager at the 1992 Barcelona Olympic Games, the 2007 World Swim Championships and the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games.
“Looking back on our success as a swimming club at the University of Calgary in the 1980s and 1990s, remembering the coaching and sport science and psychology is obvious, but it was the behind-the-scenes support that didn’t get a lot of fanfare that was a large part of our competitive advantage. And leading that charge was Don Buchignani,” said swimmer Mark Tewksbury, who won gold in the 100-metre backstroke at the 1992 Summer Olympics.
“Don brought together a rare combination of skills and circumstance that enabled him to
become a volunteer at the highest level. He was a swimming dad, a long-time official and
volunteer with the local swim program, so he knew the sport very well. He was a high school principal, which not only meant he was used to leading a team and dealing with teenagers, but it also meant he had time off in the summer, when the biggest swimming competitions took place. All of this was important, but it was his calm, reassuring, problem-solving approach to everything that made Don one of Canada’s greatest team managers.”
He is also no stranger to the Calgary Booster Club, where he volunteered as a director for three decades, including a term as president. Buchignani was an active member of the awards and endowment selection committees and he was recognized with the Calgary Booster Club’s President’s Award for his contributions to sport.
In 2022, Buchignani was inducted into the Alberta Sports Hall of Fame as a builder in swimming.
Recent winners of this award include Christine Laverty, Pat Jarvis, Greg Peterson, Ron Logan, Don Young and Lawrence King.
HENRY VINEY TROPHY – IVANIE BLONDIN
She’s been feeling the need for speed over the years, and speed skater Ivanie Blondin has the medals to prove it.
Born and raised in Ottawa, Blondin moved to Calgary to train at the Olympic Oval and hone her abilities on the ice.
The results speak for themselves. After making her Olympic debut in three long-track events at Sochi in 2014, she came painfully close to the podium at the Winter Olympics in PyeongChang in 2018, finishing fourth in women’s team pursuit, fifth in the 5,000-metre race and sixth in the 3,000-metre event.
Blondin struck gold in the team pursuit in Beijing in 2022, while also nabbing a silver medal in the women’s mass start.
In preparing for her final Olympic year, the 35-year-old was on a mission. She had 10 podium finishes on the 2025 ISU World Cup circuit, including gold in the mass start and team pursuit at the ISU Four Continents Speed Skating Championships and silver in the mass start event at the ISU World Speed Skating Single Distances Championships.
That 2025 season set the table for another inspiring performance at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milano Cortina. Blondin finished eighth in the 1,500 women’s competition and captured more hardware in the mass start (silver) and team pursuit (gold).
In total, she now has two Olympic gold medals and two silver medals.
“It is an incredible last Olympics … I couldn’t have asked for anything better,” Blondin told the Canadian Press, adding her move to southern Alberta helped give her skating career and her life a boost.
“Being close to the mountains, I’ve always been very much like a country girl – and growing up, I’ve always been hands and feet in mud, kind of the wild child, so Calgary is very fitting for me. If I can be out in the outdoors and fishing, camping, all that stuff, I’m in my happy place.”
Recent winners of the Calgary Booster Club’s Female Athlete of the Year award include Kasia Gruchalla-Wesierski, Alexandria Loutitt, Isabelle Weidemann, Stephanie Labbe, Caeli McKay and Alex Gough.
Other Nominees:
- Gabriela Cross, Wrestling
- Alexanne Lepage, Swimming
- Sienna MacDonald, Track & Field
- Cassie Sharpe, Freestyle Skiing
- Abagail Strate, Ski Jumping
SCOTT-MAMINI MEMORIAL AWARD — CALE MAKAR
The trophy case is getting a little crowded.
Calgarian Cale Makar continues to add to his achievements as a defenceman with the Colorado Avalanche and Team Canada.
After winning the Stanley Cup and the Conn Smythe Trophy as the most valuable player in the NHL playoffs in 2022, Makar earned the James Norris Memorial Trophy that year as the league’s top defenceman.
The smooth-skating d-man, who played bantam hockey with the Northwest Calgary Athletic Association Bruins, was a force again in 2025. Makar scored 30 goals and amassed 92 points in 80 games on his way to a second Norris Trophy. He was also named a First-Team NHL All-Star and a finalist for the Ted Lindsay Award, which is given to the most outstanding regular-season player in the eyes of the NHL Players’ Association.
When he took to the ice at the 4 Nations Face-Off tournament, Makar assisted on Connor McDavid’s golden goal that secured a championship title for Canada.
More recently, the former member of the Brooks Bandits claimed a silver medal at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Italy.
This is Makar’s second Male Athlete of the Year Award from the Calgary Booster Club. He first won the Scott-Mamini Memorial Award in 2023. In securing this award he becomes the first NHL player to win it twice since Calgary Flames captain Jarome Iginla had his name engraved on it in 2002 and 2003. Goaltender Mike Vernon also achieved this honour in 1989 and 1998.
“Being named the Calgary Booster Club’s Male Athlete of the Year for the second time is an incredible honour. What makes it truly special is knowing how much the Booster Club does for our Calgary sports community,” said Makar.
“The Booster Club has always been there to celebrate and support Calgary athletes, helping us grow not just in performance but in character. I’m so grateful to be part of a tradition that continues to inspire athletes and create genuine connection across Calgary.”
Recent winners of the Calgary Booster Club’s Male Athlete of the Year award include Tobias Warschewski, Dustin Wolf, Riley Fleming, Mark Giordano and Justin Kripps.
Other Nominees:
- Brett Gallant, Curling
- Clay Hanus, Hockey
- Connor Howe, Speed Skating
- Stefan Daniel, Para Triathlon
- Brendan Mackay, Freestyle Skiing
- Dustin Wolf, Hockey
- Cole Zajansky/Devin Wardrope, Luge
JACK GREGORY AWARD WINNER – CASEY KRUSE
Regarded as an encouraging, energetic and motivating athlete, Casey Kruse has been involved in Special Olympics programs since 2019.
She competed in swimming and earned five gold medals at the 2025 provincial games in Grande Prairie. Kruse added another five medals at the 2025 Canada Summer Games, including two gold in 100-metre freestyle and 50-metre breaststroke; silver in the 50-metre freestyle; and a pair of bronze from the 50-metre backstroke and 100-metre backstroke events.
A positive role model, Kruse has served as a Special Olympics representative at the annual Breakfast with Champions event. She has also attended Motionball and the Law Enforcement Torch Run fundraisers.
Kruse, who has made swim training a priority to ensure she is meeting and exceeding all training requirements, will compete for Team Alberta at the 2026 National Games in Medicine Hat.
HONOURED ATHLETIC LEADERS
The Calgary Booster Club recognizes individuals with established track records of dedication to the sporting landscape as Honoured Athletic Leaders. Winners have demonstrated long service — typically more than 15 years — and made contributions in a volunteer or administrative or athletic capacity. These are Calgary’s difference-makers, sport promoters and tireless influencers.
This year’s selections include:
BLAINE MICIAK
A committed team player with exceptional work ethic, Blaine Miciak got into basketball when he coached his daughter’s team. From there, he was a coach of youth and high school boys teams, ultimately guiding them to city titles and a 2006 provincial championship. Miciak joined the University of Calgary Dinos men’s hoops team in 2011. He attends all home and away games, as well as most practices, and prepares scouting reports of opposing teams. In addition, Miciak volunteers his time breaking down video and recruiting talented hoopsters for the Dinos.
DON MIDDLETON
Consistent, prepared and reliable. Those are a few words that describe Don Middleton’s four decades of work as a volleyball referee. He has achieved the highest referee status in the sport and it shows when he is working provincial and national championships across Alberta and Canada. Middleton has also been a key leader in mentoring new officials in the Calgary area, something he has done for over a quarter of a century.
JASON LINDSAY
When it comes to the local sports scene, Jason Lindsay has always been on the right track. He started coaching with Calgary Track West in the 1990s and has put in countless hours helping thousands of athletes since. Lindsay is a student of sprints & hurdles, distance running and everything track and field – information he’s eager to pass along to the athletes he works alongside. The founder of the New Balance Athletic Series, Lindsay was named the Athletics Alberta Development Coach of the Year in 2006 and the winner of the George Gemer Long Service Award in 2017.
BRENT GOUGH
A pillar of Calgary’s rugby community, Brent Gough has coached the Henry Wise Wood High School rugby program since 1998. The former Calgary Booster Club president led his teams to 15 city championships along the way and served as the Rugby Chair for the Calgary Senior High School Athletic Association for over a decade. Gough continued to build the sport as the Rugby Commissioner for Alberta Schools’ Athletic Association, and as a member of the Calgary Canucks Rugby Club. He is a member of that club’s Hall of Fame and he co-founded the Clearwater Cup Tournament, which has grown over the years to include over 70 teams from across Canada. Several of the teams that Gough has coached have medaled at national events over the years, including gold for the Calgary Mavericks in 2025.
ANDREW HUTCHINSON
For over two decades, Andrew Hutchinson has been a dedicated and passionate figure in wrestling across Alberta. As an athlete, he was a five-time Canada West Champion, a five-time CIS medalist and a two-time CIS Champion. Hutchinson won silver at the 1994 Commonwealth Games and competed at the 2000 Pan-American Championships, the 2001 World Freestyle Championships and the 2002 Commonwealth Games. His coaching experience is also extensive and includes 14 provincial championships and 16 city championships for male and female wrestling programs at Sir Winston Churchill High School. Hutchinson has also coached with the University of Calgary and Team Alberta at the Canada Summer Games. From 2001 to 2018, he was the president of the Calgary Amateur Wrestling Association.
KELLY EDWARDS
With unwavering commitment, Kelly Edwards has served Special Olympics Alberta for nearly 40 years. Since starting as a swim coach, Edwards has continued to serve in a number of roles at the local, provincial and national levels. She currently serves as the Chef de Mission for Team Alberta 2026. She has been recognized as a positive coach who has always been willing to go the extra mile to benefit the athletes she’s worked with.
MATT GODFREY
His impact on rugby in Calgary has been nothing short of extraordinary. Matt Godfrey has mixed together dedication, leadership and humour to help improve the sport for those around him. Over the last four decades, he has served as the treasurer of the Canucks Rugby Club, president of the Calgary Rugby Union and president of the Referees Society. Through it all, he has improved conditions for players, referees, administrators and volunteers involved in rugby.
KAREN CHENEY
As the wins and losses come and go, Karen Cheney has worked to foster more meaningful collaborations with the student athletes she’s mentored. She has put together a remarkable career at Henry Wise Wood High School, where she is in her 20th season coaching basketball and her 10th year as the Athletics Director. Cheney has helped shape the school’s athletics program while modeling sportsmanship and perseverance. Her pupils are expected to put the “student” before the “athlete” as student athletes and act as school ambassadors at all times. It’s a high bar that has helped create confident and capable young leaders.
MIKE WILSON
He’s been a gridiron great for decades. After working as an assistant coach with the Wellington Storm in New Zealand at the turn of the century, Mike Wilson helped John G. Diefenbaker High School’s football team capture a city championship as the offensive line and offensive coordinator with the program. From there, he took a role as an assistant offensive line coach at the University of Calgary before joining Henry Wise Wood High School as an assistant coach. Between 2014 and 2022, Wilson took on various roles with Football Alberta while also serving as the offensive coordinator at Crescent Heights High School. Over the last five years, he has coached city and provincial championship teams at Ernest Manning High School.
ROD DURRANT
The long-time head coach of the University of Calgary Dinos men’s volleyball program has been an exceptional leader who has shaped the sport’s culture at every level. Rod Durrant guided the team from 2006 to 2024 and earned five national championship appearances in that span. The Dinos won the 2010 U SPORTS national championship and the Canada West title in 2011. Durrant was named the Coach of the Year at conference and national levels on multiple occasions. He has also been a steadfast supporter of Volleyball Canada’s Paralympic programs.
ROB AMEY
If you’ve been around high school rugby in Calgary, odds are you’ve seen Rob Amey in his element. After playing the sport at Bowness High School, he went on to coach rugby at his alma mater for more than 35 years. Amey shows genuine care for his students and has a technical knowledge and strategic understanding of rugby that is unsurpassed. He is all about giving back and serving his community. That has made him a great coach and an even better person.
REID BRODIE
Reid Brodie, who took on the role of head coach of the men’s sitting volleyball national team in 2025, has had a lasting impact on volleyball over the years. She has worked as the executive director of the Dino Women’s Volleyball Club to elevate performance for hundreds of athletes each year, while focusing on initiatives that develop long-term growth and life skills. Brodie also founded the EmpowerHer Sport Summit, which is designed to support and mentor female athletes between the ages of 15 and 25 years old. Those around her have drawn inspiration from her tireless advocacy.
The Calgary Booster Club has celebrated athletic excellence and community leadership since 1952.
For more information:
- Ian Wilson
- Content Manager, Calgary Booster Club
- Tel: 403-891-4269
- [email protected]
- Michael Boyles
- Board of Directors, Calgary Booster Club
- Tel: 403-815-9297
- [email protected]
