A local hockey coach is receiving national recognition for her dedication to youth sports. Kaley Nicoll Kehler, a longtime coach in the MacGregor Minor Hockey Association and a recent assistant with the Central Plains AA female team, was recently surprised with an award from Hockey Canada and BFL Canada.
Kehler learned about the honour in an unexpected way.
"I got a phone call set up with Hockey Canada and BFL Canada, and it was supposed to be a survey about rural programs," Kehler explained. "It ended up surprising me with the news that I had won the award. So I was quite surprised to get it and honoured to be recognized. It was pretty neat."
While Kehler doesn't know who nominated her, the anonymous gesture left her feeling surprised and grateful.
Kehler’s hockey journey began at a young age in MacGregor, Manitoba. She grew up playing throughout her youth and has carried that passion into coaching. From coaching U7 programs to assisting with high-level female teams, she's had the opportunity to work with a wide range of athletes.
"It's been really neat to be a part of all the different levels of hockey and age groups," she said. "It's been a lot of fun seeing their natural progression and love for the game develop."
Kehler credits her own positive hockey experience as a player for inspiring her coaching path.
"I think back on all the positive coaches and teammates and the relationships I built up," she shared. "It's fun to be part of this on the other side now and to really appreciate the time my coaches put in when I was growing up."
As for what the future holds, Kehler says she's focused on building connections and growing the sport.
"I just want to keep developing relationships with the athletes and coaches and keep building people's love for the game."
She also hopes her journey encourages others to get involved in coaching, especially in smaller communities.
"Encouraging other people to step out of their comfort zone and give coaching a try, it is a lot of fun," she said. "We're pretty lucky in our community that we have lots of people who've stepped up. I think they've also found the love for it that I have."
Kehler's recognition not only highlights her personal contributions to hockey but also serves as a reminder of the vital role community volunteers play in developing young athletes across rural Canada.
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