Kay and Vern Haggard

Hall of Fame

It all started innocently enough when Kay Haggard started her hockey career as a casual timekeeper in 1976.

Within the year she was promoted to head timekeeper, responsible for scheduling all timekeepers for every game and training new volunteers. She didn’t stop there. Kay also assisted with the Old Timers Hockey organization. Not only did Kay show her support for hockey through timekeeping, she also served on the executive of the Whitehorse Minor Hockey Association as their Publicity Director. Her positive attitude and expertise means she was well known as a fair supporter to all children in minor hockey.

Vern Haggard started his own volunteer involvement with Yukon hockey by initiating the Old Timers Hockey League in 1976 and serving as their first president until 1980. He spent many hours organizing the annual Whitehorse Old Tier tournaments and player travel too many tournaments away from home. In 1981, Vern became a certified referee and began an official capacity in minor hockey. He dedicated a decade to coaching minor hockey starting in 1981, and a year later he coached the Midget B team at an international tournament in Sweden.

After their induction into the Yukon Sports Hall of Fame in 1987, Kay served as the Yukon Amateur Hockey Association President and Vern continued coaching and leading coaching clinics.