Legendary former Mintos coach to enter P.A. Sports Hall of Fame

Tim Leonard behind the Mintos bench. (Photo courtesy P.A. Mintos)

It was a full circle moment for Tim Leonard.

As part of the announcement for being part of the 2026 class for the Prince Albert Sports Hall of Fame, Leonard, who is going into the Hall as a builder, and members of his class were introduced to a crowd of 2,463 spectators at the storied and historic Art Hauser Centre before a Prince Albert Raiders home WHL regular season contest on February 6. The Raiders hosted the Lethbridge Hurricanes on that night, and it hit Leonard that he coached the head coaches of both teams.

“It is crazy,” said Leonard. “When they brought us out on the ice at the Raider game to introduce everybody that is going in this year, I get out on the ice, and look across at the benches, and there is Ryan McDonald.

“On the other bench where Lethbridge is Matty Anholt, and I coached them both. It was fitting, and it was a great feeling.”

Way back at the start of the 2002-03 campaign, Leonard joined the Prince Albert Mintos Under-18 AAA Team as an assistant coach. He was working on a staff led by head coach Ron Bonneau. One of their first decisions was to offer a roster spot to McDonald, who was an underage 14-year-old centre that came out to Mintos camp just to get some extra skating work.

This story of mine appeared in the Prince Albert Daily Herald. To read the full article, feel free to click right here.

Lehner surprised, pumped for Prince Albert Sports Hall of Fame induction

Katelyn Lehner pictured in 2013. (Photo courtesy Katelyn Lehner)

Katelyn Lehner didn’t think she was going to get any more accolades from her life in track and field.

The 31-year-old has been very focused on her singing career for about the past half decade. She never thought she would get the call to become a member of the Prince Albert Sports Hall of Fame.

“I was so shocked,” said Lehner. “It was such an exciting phone call to get.

“I’ve been retired for five years now. I felt like all of my track accomplishments had kind of run their course. It was super exciting to be getting that call and to be recognized in my home town.

“Immediately, it just brought back a lot of really good memories of my sport days and growing up and competing and training in Prince Albert. I feel very honoured to be included in this year’s class.”

Starting in the sport at age 12, Lehner would become one of the most decorated athletes to come out of track and field in Prince Albert. While attending St. Mary High School, Lehner won gold in every discipline she entered in taking part in the Prince Albert High School City Championships and the North Central District Championships. Her success came in the 100-metre and 200-metre races, high jump, long jump and 80-metre hurdles.

This story of mine appeared in the Prince Albert Daily Herald. To read the full article, feel free to click right here.