The 2025 class of the Lethbridge Sports Hall of Fame has been announced, with inductees coming from hockey, boxing, swimming and rodeo.
This year, hockey player Kyle McLaren and boxer Curtis Hatch are being inducted.
According to the LSHF announcement, McLaren started his hockey career in Coaldale and was selected ninth overall by the Boston Bruins in the 1995 NHL Draft. During his professional hockey career, he played in 719 regular season games and 70 playoff games before retiring with the San Jose Sharks in the 2007-2008 season.
Hatch, who is from Raymond, began his career at nine-years-old and by the time he retired in 1993, he had recorded 112 wins with 33 defeats while never being knocked out. Titles he won in his career included provincial championships, the Golden Glove crown, the Alberta Diamond Belt, and the Canadian Championship.
Hatch also competed on the international stage, winning a number of medals for Canada. He passed away in 2010 at the age of 40.
The LSHF is also recognizing the Kinsmen Sports Persons of the Year. The 2025 recipients of the award are women’s rugby player Keyara Wardley and swimmer Apollo (Fox) Hess. Both of these athletes competed last year at the 2024 Paris Olympics.
Additionally, the LSHF is recognizing what they describe as the “combined powerhouses” of the 1986 Lethbridge Miners and 1987 Lethbridge Elks baseball clubs in the team category, along with baseball player Kevin Kvame. The Hurricane Group is being recognized in the Builders category. Malcom Kano is getting a special award and the Hall will also recognize rodeo competitor and producer Herman Linder as the Historical Inductee of the 2025 class.
All of this year’s inductees will be celebrated at an induction ceremony on May 9 at the Lethbridge & District Agri-Food Hub and Trade Centre. More information about the event can be found here.
