Happy New Year to the Hockey Ministries Pacific team!

I begin with thankfulness to the Lord for continuing to open doors in the hockey world! I am overwhelmed at the opportunities that have come along, mostly by just showing up at the arena day after day, week after week, for 23 years. It leads me to believe that in almost every case, relationship is the foundation in being an effective light for Christ.

Here are a few highlights that made me smile in the last few months.

On October 31, Lorraine and I had a knock on our door and 3/4 of the West Kelowna Warriors team were standing outside waiting to come in! Of course, I had some treats (of course!) since it was Halloween. The guys stayed for a bit before moving on to another house. Lorraine and I smiled because it made us feel like we were a part of the team schedule for that night. Perfect!

Just a week later, it was road trip time with the Kelowna Chiefs Junior club, where we headed to Kimberley, Fernie and Creston. We stayed at a hotel in Cranbrook and on Saturday morning I had a ‘chapel on the road’. Since I couldn’t secure a room to hold a chapel, I told the players to meet in my room. {which was not large!) By the time the guys came in, it felt like ‘chapel in a phone booth!!’ We had one of our best chapels, where everyone was engaged and chatting. It is during road trips like this where opportunities come to have personal talks with players, either at a coffee shop, on a walk or even in the hotel lobby. It was great to have a good chat with Chiefs defenceman Zach Pietsch on the trip. Zach overcame a serious throat injury last season and is still playing. I’m thankful to the Lord for His hand upon Zach.

In early December, I hosted the 13th annual Warriors Christmas Hamper Night. This event happens at a Warriors home game, and is very well supported. I’m grateful to the hockey club and the fans for being a great help in this outreach into our community, and also to our local Tim Horton’s ownership who helps every step of the way. Part of the process is that Warriors players and staff gather at a local church to pack grocery hampers for people in West Kelowna who could use a good boost at Christmas time. This annual event is one of my favourite things all year long!

I had a little mishap in early December, in the middle of the rush of the season…. I slipped at the arena and landed on my right side, right on my ribs. I am very sure that I cracked a number of them, as sleeping has been painful for over 3 weeks now. Even though I realize that cracked ribs simply take time to heal, the process has and still is pretty tough. I’d appreciate your prayers as I recover. (Hauling all those Christmas groceries and frozen turkeys with cracked ribs was quite painful…!)

Would you also remember to pray for our 14th Faith Night coming up in West Kelowna on March 1st? Faith Night is another annual event, one that highlights the chapel program and also the Christian community. The arena is packed every Faith Night and I am trusting God for a great witness to His wonderful love and mercy for all people.

I close with this bit of a boost – I had a good friend send me a picture of a few players on a BCHL junior team who gathered immediately after the final horn sounded and briefly gave thanks in prayer. I am encouraged to see that God is doing something in hearts in the world of hockey!

May God bless as we head into the New Year; may we all look forward in faith, faith in the good times and yes, faith in the rough times as well.

Don Richmond
Hockey Ministries International
Pacific Region

Prayer Points

• Thankful for new chaplain in Trail
• Thankful for new chaplain in Sicamous
• The need for more new chaplains
• Healing for cracked ribs
• Effective J&J chats
• Upcoming hockey road trips
• For Warriors upcoming Faith Night
• Continued financial support

Spending of funds is confined to board approved programs and projects. Each restricted contribution designated towards a board approved program or project will be used as designated, with the understanding that when the need for such a program or project has been met, or cannot be completed for an reason determined by the board, the remaining restricted contributions designated for such program or project will be used where needed most.

To the HMI Pacific family,

Man, it’s feeling like the chills of fall around here… brrrr! So, grab a warm coffee as you read my latest HMI Pacific update.

I thought I would begin with a memory of Shawnigan Lake hockey camp this past summer. This picture puts a big smile on my face, thinking not only of the great times we had, but also the seeds of the gospel that were sown in the hearts of young hockey players.

Over the past few months, I have had many ‘J&J’ coffees, with both coaches and players. One of these was with Kailus Green, who was traded from the Warriors in West Kelowna to the Powell River Kings. When players get traded, (which is tough, but it’s just a part of the business) I try to connect them with the chaplain on the team they are joining. I also had a good ‘J&J’ coffee with HMI staff member John Bechtold, who was passing through Kelowna in September.

During the hockey season, I find myself traveling quite a bit. I’m either visiting chaplains, at arenas around the province visiting coaches, or holding chapels in Kelowna and West Kelowna. I had the unique opportunity to address the Beaver Valley Nitehawks Junior club in Fruitvale, BC. (That’s just east of Trail.) That really was a special time, and I thank Nitehawks Coach Terry Jones for allowing me to speak to his players. I have included a few pictures of my travels and my chaplains visits; Dan Eagle in Coquitlam, Josh Norman in Castlegar, and Lee Young in Summerland.

In the west Kootenays, I was able to stop in at the Jack Goddard arena in Grand Forks and visit with the Head Coach of the Border Bruins, Dave Hnatiuk. We had a great visit and the door is open for a new chapel program with the team. I pray for the right person to come along and serve this team. I am also praying for the Lord to provide chaplains for hockey clubs in White Rock and in Richmond.

I also made a trip to Trail to visit with a new potential chaplain for the Smoke Eaters. As I write this update, nothing is confirmed on this front, so I am praying about this as well. While in Trail, I stayed at the home of Mike and Sheila Davis, who have been tremendously gracious to me for many, many years. I am thankful for these wonderful Christian friends who have steadfastly stood with me in this ministry. While in Trail, I was invited to share with the men’s group from the Trail Alliance Church. I have included a picture of that evening. It was an encouraging time of story and prayer; I enjoyed being together with these men who love the Lord and have a heart for hockey chaplaincy.

Just a few weeks ago, I was blessed to make a quick trip up to Williams Lake to speak at Calvary Church. Thank you to Pastors Jay and Brad for treating me well. Calvary Church has been a faithful HMI church almost since the time that I started with Hockey Ministries back in 2006. It was good to see many long time friends at Calvary, most of whom I have a long history with.

In the coming days I will travel with the Kelowna Chiefs on a road trip to the east Kootenays: Fernie, Kimberley and Creston. I ask for your prayers for this trip as I get to know the players a bit better and as I conduct my traditional ‘chapel on the road’.

Blessings to you as you serve the Lord in your own unique calling.
Don Richmond
Hockey Ministries International
Pacific Region

Prayer Points
-for new chaplains for White Rock, Richmond
-for new chaplains in Grand Forks, Trail
-for players who receive New Testaments
-for safety on my winter travels
-for open doors and open hearts
-upcoming road trip with the Kelowna Chiefs
-for continued support of this ministry

Spending of funds is confined to board approved programs and projects. Each restricted contribution designated towards a board approved program or project will be used as designated, with the understanding that when the need for such a program or project has been met, or cannot be completed for an reason determined by the board, the remaining restricted contributions designated for such program or project will be used where needed most.

To the faithful supporters of Hockey Ministries in BC!

Interesting side-note: On August 25 I was at the fire hall when the security suddenly skyrocketed and out of a vehicle emerged the Prime Minister! I had the opportunity to chat with him and convey that I serve as Chaplain for West Kelowna Fire Rescue. He thanked me and we shook hands. As a chaplain, I never know what a day showing up for Jesus in this world will look like!

As usual, in my HMI world, summer means hockey camps and weddings. I was pleased to be at the Vancouver Island camp at Shawnigan Lake in July, where 7 young campers received Christ into their hearts. That is simply amazing! The camp was a wonderful success, with everything running quite smoothly. It was so nice to have Ben Walter (Head Coach of TWU Spartans men’s hockey in Langley) as our Head Instructor, and many of the Walter family including Ben’s dad Ryan. Ice times, chapels, dry-land training, all went very well, and I am thankful to the camp staff for making it all happen.

On the wedding front, it is always an honour to officiate at hockey related weddings. I have included just a few pictures of some of the weddings this summer. It is amazing how so many former players gather for their teammates’ wedding and how it turns into a fabulous opportunity for me to reconnect as their chaplain.

As the hockey  season approaches. chaplains are meeting with coaches and preparing for the season. Every year there are some changes, both in coaching staffs and sometimes with chaplains as well; I would ask you to please pray that in these transitions that chapel programs would continue operating well.

Finally, in the summer I spend time at Kelowna’s main baseball park (Elks Stadium) and football stadium (The Apple Bowl), homes of Kelowna Falcons baseball and Okanagan Sun football. I serve both these clubs as their chaplain during the hockey ‘off-season’. I’ll end with pictures of both Falcons and Sun chapels. It is simply a joy to tell these young athletes about faith in Christ Jesus.

I am so very grateful for you all, and I thank you for being on ‘Team HMI Pacific’.

Spending of funds is confined to board approved programs and projects. Each restricted contribution designated towards a board approved program or project will be used as designated, with the understanding that when the need for such a program or project has been met, or cannot be completed for an reason determined by the board, the remaining restricted contributions designated for such program or project will be used where needed most.

Hi there team!

Oh what a nice summer! I trust that you are enjoying a bit of warmth and energy rejuvenation! Here is just a touch of what is happening in the HMI Pacific world.

We have had some beautiful sunny days here in the Okanagan and I thought I’d share some fun shots from a bit of ‘down time’ that I have enjoyed with Lorraine, the love of my life!! Lorraine is an absolutely amazing life partner, a total blessing from the Lord!

I have recently been meeting with various league officials and commissioners, just getting to know them. It is in meetings like this that I suggest making a chapel program presentation to league coaches and General Managers. As a result, I will be meeting with the Kootenay International Hockey League coaches before the end of June and with the Pacific Junior and the British Columbia Hockey League coaches in the near future.

This summer, I have already started officiating at hockey weddings, which is a big part of summer ministry. Here are pictures of 2 different weddings. This is such a wonderful outreach; I am very thankful to the Lord for ministry opportunities like this.Without chaplaincy ministry, I wouldn’t have the opportunity to officiate like this, and touch the lives of so many.

In the ‘off season’ months, I like to connect with hockey fans outside of the realm of the game. We meet at coffee shops and of course, I always end with a prayer. This is my ‘fans version’ of hockey J&J. To bring Christian faith into people’s lives in ways like this is such an honour.

Every 6 weeks or so, I meet with some wonderful hockey guys for prayer and encouragement. These boys are my council and prayer support team. Please pray for these warriors as they stand behind me and help me carry on.

In late July, I will be travelling to Shawnigan Lake on Vancouver Island for our HMI hockey camp. Please be praying for the camp and for each camper that attends. I have included a picture of a meeting I had with the camp director Ted Neustaedter. Ted has directed camp each year at Shawnigan Lake and I am grateful for his dedication.

Just recently, the British Columbia Hockey League (BCHL) has left the covering of Hockey Canada, and has become an independent league. This has had some interesting ramifications, with a few more to come I’m sure. Please be in prayer as I continue to minister with BCHL teams and staff. The BCHL just lost the Wenatchee Wild hockey club to the Western Hockey League (WHL), and I’d like to see the Wild chapel program continue on in their new league.

Finally, chaplaincy has expanded a bit here in Kelowna. My primary chaplaincy is in the hockey world, but I also serve the local Junior baseball club, (the Kelowna Falcons) and the Junior football club (the Okanagan Sun). And…. I’m pleased to serve West Kelowna Fire Rescue (WKFR) as their chaplain. I am including a picture of my recent meeting at WKFR Hall #33.

Thanks for reading this, and remember to relax a bit this summer! God bless you all!
Don Richmond
Hockey Ministries International
Pacific Region

Prayer Points:

• Summer hockey camp (Shawnigan Lake)
• Various coaches meeting presentations
• New chaplains
• Summer hockey weddings
• Summer J&J times with fans and players
• My other chaplaincy programs
• Continued financial support

Happy Spring time to the best team; you are all HMI Pacific All Stars!

My goodness, is it ever nice to have a bit of warmth during this time of year! These sunny days give me energy and a ‘spring’ in my step… (pun intended.. 😀)

Okay, let’s get right at it… Approximately every 6 weeks, I meet with my HMI council boys. These guys are real beauties; encouraging, praying, and supporting me in every way. I am thankful for the time and support that Jayson and Kolby give to this ministry. When we meet, we go over what has been happening at HMI Pacific and of course we finish with a prayer. God bless these men and their families.

I average about 10 chapels each season with both the Warriors in West Kelowna and the Kelowna Chiefs in Rutland. I absolutely love chapel day, when I gather the players and talk about real life events. I always direct the conversation toward Christ, and the difference the He makes in people’s lives. We always finish off with a Bible verse, a group huddle prayer and with handshakes. Chapels are a regular part of the life of these hockey clubs. One day in early March when I walked into the arena, I noticed on the electronic sign in the arena, that the Warriors chapel was listed along with all the days hockey events. Seeing that was very encouraging to me.

One of the annual events that takes place in the West Kelowna Warriors season is Faith Night. (This year was the 13th annual.) This year the game was sold out; the evening was a tremendous success. Somebody took a picture of me with two wonderful hockey buddies at this year’s Faith Night. A few weeks later after the final home game of the season, the club handed out the team awards.

I have presented the Chaplaincy Award each year, and this year’s recipient was Chris Duclair. The Warriors were eliminated this year by the Vernon Vipers in the first round of the BCHL playoffs, and I thought I would get a quick picture of myself and play by play broadcaster Trevor Miller on the last home game of the year. I travelled to Vernon for the final road game, and got a picture with the Vipers chaplain David Hockley. David is a faithful servant, and does a wonderful job as the chaplain in Vernon.

In April, I made a few trips. I am so thankful to the Lord for the ability to travel a bit and to see chaplains, coaches, and players. First I headed to Prince George where I had a visit with the Cougars and Spruce Kings chaplain, Jim Brown Jr.. Jim is doing a fine job serving as the chaplain for both of these clubs. After the Prince George trip, I headed to Revelstoke for the Cyclone Taylor Cup Jr B provincial tournament. It was a valuable trip, where I was able to have meetings with the commissioners of two Jr B leagues, the Kootenay International Junior Hockey League and the Pacific Junior Hockey League. I feel that it is important to show up at tournaments like this and get to know the people that make things happen. It is through meetings like this that I am able to attend league-wide coaches meetings and explain chapel programs. While I was there, it was good to visit with the chaplain of the Revelstoke Grizzlies, Bob Loeppky and with Junior Hockey Operations Coordinator, Tim Kilbrai. These are two wonderful dedicated Christ-followers.

It is now the time of year when I turn my attention to the ‘after season’. This means events like hockey weddings, and summer hockey camps. I am still in touch with players, but most of them are now gone back home for the summer. This season is an opportunity of year to spend a bit of time with the coaches, who a still here in the city. As well, there will be many J&J coffees and perhaps a beach time or boat ride on the lake. Whatever form it takes, it will all be for the glory of God.

Thank your so much for your love and support, and for reading my latest update.

In faith,
Don Richmond
Hockey Ministries International
Pacific Region

Prayer Points:
-for summer hockey camps
-for upcoming coaches meetings
-for upcoming hockey weddings
-for continued financial support

Dear Hockey Ministries teammates,

From my perspective, I love this time of year! Hockey’s regular seasons for various leagues are coming to a close, which means it’s playoff time.. Fans are checking league standings and scoreboard watching, and players are getting ready to make a run for a championship. And…. it’s a great opportunity for team chaplains to bring a steady hand, some wisdom and a message of hope to these young thoroughbred stallions. I also love this: when my Warriors chapel sign is up on the dressing room 9 door, it’s a great day. It’s during these chapels that I am thrilled to hand out players’ New Testaments, each one laser engraved with the team logo on it plus the players name and their sweater number. These New Testaments are a huge hit; I know that the players keep and treasure them.

In the last two months, I have been able to connect with some of the coaches, chaplains and players from across the province. It is such a great feeling to meet up with hockey people that have been in my chapels in years past, and realize that they were positively affected by those chapels. I give thanks to the Lord for those times. One example was when I was able to meet up with former Warriors broadcaster Chase Johnston. Chase is now the broadcaster for the Brandon Wheat Kings, and I had a chance to reconnect and have a wonderful J&J with him. J&J (Java and Jesus) is a staple of my chaplaincy ministry. I have included a picture of J&J times with the Warriors captain Aiden Reeves and another one with defenceman Isaiah Norlin. Being able to hear their stories and share my faith over a coffee is such a thrill.

From time to time I am able to meet with pastors from churches that have offered their support to the ministry. Just a few weeks ago I was able to meet up with Pastor Jeremy Bates. Jeremy is relatively new as the lead pastor at Bethel Church in Penticton. It was wonderful to meet up and share ministry encouragement and (of course) finish off with a prayer. (I regularly refer to prayer as the second J in J&J.) I tell my hockey guys all the time that they’ll never get away without the second J! I am positive that there’s a sermon in there somewhere….

On February 18, I was excited to host the West Kelowna Warriors 13th Annual Faith Night. The arena was sold out with Christian people coming from churches all over the city. I appreciate the support that the Christian community has given to this event. This is a night of celebration; of the Warriors chapel program and of the Christian community. I had a Christian school choir sing the National Anthem and from there it was Faith Night right to the end. We had players interviewed on the big screen, we had pastors playing boot hockey at the intermission, then throwing candy bars to the crowd at the next intermission. Throughout the game, the PA announcer welcomed every church group that was in attendance. It was an absolutely wonderful celebration evening!

Finally, at this time of year we start planning for our summer HMI camps. I ask you to please pray that these camps will be an effective outreach to young players who attend our hockey camps. I believe that there will be over 30 HMI camps this summer. In my experience, around 50% of campers have not accepted Christ as their Saviour, and an average of 15 receive Jesus during the camps. These camps will be all across Canada and the USA, with a few more in Europe.

Thank you for taking time to read my report.
Blessings to you all,
Don Richmond
Hockey Ministries International
Pacific Region

Prayer Points

• -opportunities for chats with players
• -players New Testaments
• -final few chapels for the season
• -summer HMI camp preparations
• -summer HMI campers
• -for continued support of this ministry