Prior to our season opener on Sunday, September 17th, the Calgary Canucks were pleased to host a ceremony in honour of the renaming of Max Bell 1 to the Ken Bracko Arena.
Ken Bracko spent over forty years with the Forest Heights Community Association, the Calgary Northeast Athletic Association, and the Calgary Canucks. Ken Bracko served as the president of the Calgary Canucks for over 20 years and worked tirelessly to ensure the success of our organization. Ken was the epitome of a volunteer and dedicated decades of his life to ensuring that Calgary hockey players had the opportunity to play the top level of Junior “A” hockey in Calgary.
To start off the ceremony Pat Steinberg of Sportsnet 960 The Fan welcomed the Bracko Family to ice and gave a brief introductory speech about Ken Bracko before asking for Don Phelps to take the stand. Don Phelps, former head coach of the Calgary Canucks, said a few words about what the renaming of the arena in honour of Ken and shared his experience with Ken over of the course of the 30+ years they spent working with each other. He also thanked the many hockey volunteers, like Ken Bracko, who dedicate their time to keep hockey going. Following Phelps speech Ken Bracko's son, Carey Bracko, stepped up to the microphone to share thanks on behalf of the Bracko family.
Following the introduction of the 2017-2018 Calgary Canucks the Bracko Family was presented with a framed Canucks Jersey in honour of Ken Bracko. Following the jersey presentation, Canuck players Mark Drohan and Hayden Ursulak presented a bronze memorial plaque to the Bracko Family which will be displayed in the front entrance of Ken Bracko Arena. The captains of each team were then called to centre ice for the ceremonial puck drop which was performed by Evelyn Bracko.
Thank you to everyone who took part in the pre-game ceremony. The Canucks are excited to now be playing in the Ken Bracko Arena in Max Bell Centre!
For more photos of the ceremony and our season opener visit: