RED DEER – Hockey Alberta is proud to announce that Rob Virgil of Edmonton has been recognized with Life Membership status for his decades of service to minor hockey.
Life Membership is the highest honour which may be bestowed by Hockey Alberta, recognizing individuals who have dedicated their time and support to making the game of hockey better in Alberta.
“Rob Virgil has been a dedicated hockey volunteer in Alberta for almost four decades, serving at almost every level of the sport, and he continues to give his time as chair of the Nominations Committee for the Board of Directors,” said Fran Zinger, Chair of the Life Member committee. “We are pleased to be able to recognize his commitment to hockey for life in Alberta.”
Virgil got involved in minor hockey originally coaching his son’s team in the Carlisle area in Edmonton. He eventually became involved at the executive level as a division director, league director and president, district president and chair of the Edmonton Federation Hockey Council and Edmonton AA Hockey Council. He also started a non-contact recreational program in the Edmonton area and played until 2003.
At the provincial level, Virgil first joined Hockey Alberta’s Board of Directors as the Zone 8 Director for the Edmonton area, chairing several Board committees. In 2007, he moved to the executive level, serving as Vice President Operations and Vice President Development, before being elected Hockey Alberta President in 2011. He served as Past Chair from 2013-2019 and he currently is chair of the Board’s nominations committee.
Virgil’s decades of work to improve hockey in Alberta have been recognized locally, provincially and nationally:
- 2001, President’s Award from the Edmonton Federation Hockey Council
- 2007, Hockey Alberta Centennial Award
- 2010, Life Member with the Edmonton Federation Hockey Council
- 2012, Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal, and
- 2014, Hockey Canada’s Order of Merit award, as “an individual who has served amateur hockey faithfully.”
