YORKTON – The Saskatchewan Hockey Hall of Fame induction dinner is less than two weeks away.
Among the inductees that night will be former Parkland Maller Head Coach, Allan 'Al' Harrison.
Harrison, who passed away in September of 2002, coached the 1992-93 Mallers in their bid for the Air Canada Cup.
"It was at that tournament the Mallers made history when they beat Les Gouverneurs de Ste-Foy in the final with a 5-4 overtime victory," read an article on the Sask Hockey Hall Fame's website.
"It's probably one of the biggest honours for our family, but more for him," said Brad Harrison, son of Al, in an interview with Yorkton This Week.
"He's done so much work for...Saskatchewan Hockey Association," said Brad, adding, "he is a huge inspiration to our family, and also, I think, the community of Saskatchewan and the community of Yorkton as well."
Al Harrison's contributions to hockey in Saskatchewan have been recognized several times over the past three decades.
"Harrison received the 3M Coaching Recognition Award from Yorkton Minor Sports (1993) and the Yorkton Minor Hockey Association’s Outstanding Volunteer Award (2001). Harrison would volunteer right up until his passing in September 2002, and in his memory, Yorkton Minor Hockey would present a banner for his 25 years of contributions to hockey. The Saskatchewan Hockey Association would honour Harrison with the Life Membership Award in 2004 and the Yorkton Sports Hall of Fame and Museum inducted Harrison in 2005," read the article on the.
"[The 1992-93 Mallers are] also getting inducted into the Hall of Fame at the same time so that was kind of huge honour for that team and for my Dad as well," said Brad.
"It's an unbelievable feeling to be able to win a championship – with your Dad especially," said Brad, who worked as a trainer for the 1992-93 Mallers alongside his father, adding, "he was a great coach to those players – if he were still alive, I'm sure he'd be in contact with all of them still."
"He admired every single one of them and he respected every single one of them as well," said Brad.
Brad, who now works as the Assistant Equipment Manager for the Edmonton Oilers, said, "I know for me, personally, I wouldn't be in the NHL without my Dad and my family as well – especially my Dad – he gave a lot back to me, personally."
"For my two brothers and his wife Linda – he was the backbone of our family of anything to do with sports," said Brad, adding, "he was the guy that pushed us, yelled at us, and made us work harder for what we've got today," said Brad.
"For our family, he was a great role model and a great Dad and a great husband."
