When it comes to classic Canadian experiences, the Burnaby Sports Hall of Fame's class of 2018 has it covered.
From an immigrant who found track and field stardom on Burnaby Mountain to local-born players in all-things-Canadian curling and hockey circles, the athletes chosen for induction this year are a special group.
Ruky Abdulai, Bryan Miki and Wayne Van Dorp all reached a pinnacle in their chosen sport.
Abdulai gained fame for setting 17 NAIA track and field records and represented Canada at the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing. But her storied journey began in her native Ghana, where the teen established herself as a rising running star.
However, a dream to live and compete in a peaceful country led her to Burnaby Mountain, where an email from Simon Fraser University's Brit Townsend appealed to her.
Along the way Abdulai found family, friends and success in track and field, taking Canadian citizenship and representing her adopted country at the Olympics.
Born and raised in Burnaby, Miki learned the intricacies of curling from his father, Fuji. As second with the Greg McAulay rink, Miki was a large part of the 2000 Brier men's national championship team, which went on to win the world title in Scotland.
A product of Burnaby minor hockey, Van Dorp enjoyed an extensive pro hockey career that saw him play 125 NHL games for Edmonton, PIttsburgh, Chicago and Quebec, realizing a childhood dream of winning a Stanley Cup as a member of the Oilers in 1987.
Among the fraternity of NHL enforcers, Van Dorp gained respect while compiling 12 goals and 12 assists, as well as 565 penalty minutes.
The 1987 Cliff Avenue United Football Club's under-16 boys squad will be enshrined in the team category. The North Burnaby group, coached by Scott Ormiston, overcame a 1-0 halftime deficit to win the Canadian u-16 championship in overtime.
The list of inductees also includes a pair in the builder's category: Val Roche -- considered one of the early Burnaby minor lacrosse architects, while also being active in soccer and boxing; and John Stockdale -- a North Burnaby product who, as executive director of B.C. Water Polo, co-authored numerous technical manuals, coordinated courses and developed high performance programs for female athletes.
Two new members will be inducted for their coaching contributions: Shelley Howieson (soccer), who was Simon Fraser University's women's soccer coach from the program's inception in 1988 until her retirement in 2013. Howieson's teams won NAIA national titles in 1996 and 2000, and she was inducted into the NAIA Hall of Fame; and Adrian Lavigne (deceased - softball), who skippered a women's powerhouse fastpitch team known as Doc's Blues and Alpha Sports. His teams won 19 B.C. and 11 national titles, and competed in two world championships.
This year's honourees will be officially celebrated by the Burnaby Sports Hall of Fame on Feb. 22 at the 17th annual induction banquet at the Burnaby Metrotown Firefighters Hall.
For tickets to the banquet, email [email protected] or phone 604-436-1672. For more info on the Burnaby Sports Hall of Fame, visit www.burnabysportshalloffame.ca.
