The Best There Ever Was

There are certain constants in this world that seemingly never change. Constants can be from a mathematical point of view where values like the force of gravity and the relationship of a circle's circumference to its diameter never change. We can talk about landmarks like the Eiffel Tower and the Statue of Liberty whose constant presence allow people to instantly think of Paris and New York City, respectively. We had one of those constants in Canada West women's hockey, so it may take some time to adjust to the fact that Alberta Pandas head coach Howie Draper will not be behind the bench next season and beyond as U SPORTS' winningest coach announced today that he was retiring from the game.

I'll get into his achievements with the University of Alberta Pandas in a minute, but there's one thing that stands out to me when it comes to what made Howie Draper so special. I often talk about how the people who manage the university game could and should be better in both managing and improving the game, but Howie Draper is one of the people whose stewardship of women's university hockey in Canada will never be questioned. Simply put, Howie Draper cared.

Under his guidance, the Pandas won 15 Canada West titles in 28 seasons. With Draper at the helm, the Pandas won eight U SPORTS National Championships including three in a row from 2002-04 that was part of six-straight U SPORTS National Championship Final appearances from 2002-07. Howie Draper led the Pandas to 715 total wins and 465 conference wins including setting a Canada West undefeated streak record that likely will never be matched where the Pandas did not lose in 86 games (83-0-3) from October 28, 2000 to February 12, 2005. His work behind the bench has seen him honoured as Canada West Coach of the Year eight times and U SPORTS Coach of the Year four times. Draper also coached Team Canada to a gold medal at the 2022 World Under-18 Championship in Wisconsin.

Yes, he's decorated and he certainly deserves those kudos as he was not only coaching hockey, but he was cultivating lifelong friendships among players. University of Alberta Director of Athletics Leah Pezer said, "The best coaches don't just change what happens on the ice, they change what people believe is possible in themselves and in each other. That's what Howie has done here. He has been a builder of excellence, but also of culture, trust, and belief. His imprint on Pandas Hockey is lasting, and we are better because of it."

Again, I point to how he made the game better as a large reason why Draper found so much success. In 2018, Draper spoke openly about his team's struggles in 2002 regarding LGBTQ inclusion following the introduction of U SPORTS' transgender policy for the 2018-19 season.

In 2016, the Pandas opened their doors to the Edmonton Female Athletic Club AAA program that eventually was named the Edmonton pands before becoming the Edmonton Junior Oilers in 2023. That partnership was an effort to raise the skill level of female hockey around Alberta with the rezoning of the AAA teams, eventually leading to the rebranded AFHL that now sends a vast number of young women to post-secondary institutions across North America.

"We want to ensure the players that play hockey have the best opportunity to reach whatever goals they may have in the sport," Draper told the Edmonton Journal's Derek Van Diest in 2016. "We would love to be able to say we'll have anywhere between 5-10 girls in the U-18 provincial program playing for Team Alberta. We would love to be able to say, coming out of this program, we'll have a few national team members down the road. That in of itself would be the greatest reward for all of us involved."

In 2013, Draper helped to organize an exhibition game between the Pandas and the ACAC's MacEwan Griffins in Ponoka, Alberta - a small town about 90 minutes south of Edmonton - in an effort to sell the university women's game as well as growing the game in smaller communities in Alberta to help strengthen Hockey Alberta.

His influence on his former players can't be ignored either as UNB Reds head coach Sarah Hilworth, former MacEwan Griffins head coach Lindsay McAlpine, and Windsor Lancers head coach Deanna Iwanicka all played for Howie Draper's Pandas in their careers. Having these women rise to the level of U SPORTS women's hockey head coaches is another honour for Draper, but his mentorship can go much further as these women can be role models for the players they coach as well!

Hilworth told Windsor's Mia Ines, "Howie coming into my life was one of the best things that could have happened. He has taught me about life and about being a good person. He taught me to be more than just a good hockey player. He was able to transform my game where I had confidence to become a strong player in the program, but he allowed me the opportunity in a safe environment to grow into the person I wanted to become. Howie was always there for me and continues to be – I will be forever grateful for his friendship."

We can talk about his Alberta Hockey Hall of Fame induction, his one season as head coach of the New York Sirens in the PWHL, his time as Team Canada's head coach at the FISU Universiade Games in 2013 where Canada won gold, or how he was playing in a band while coaching, but, for me, I have always been impressed by and held respect for how far the ripples in the water have travelled since Howie Draper began coaching the Alberta Pandas back in 1997.

Humbly, he'll tell you that he learned the same lessons from Clare Drake and he's just paying it forward, but Howie's impact on the game cannot be denied. Whether it be growing the game within Alberta's borders, making the game more accepting for LGBTQ+ players, teaching players how to become great coaches, or helping the AFHL find its way, Howie Draper has done more for the game in his 28 years behind the bench than some have done in their entire lives. Yes, there are accolades, awards, and a few rare misses that come with the success he's had at the U of A, but you don't leave fingerprints on the game like Howie has without it being intentional.

Just like it was while he spent a year coaching in the PWHL, there will certainly be a presence missing when the Alberta Pandas come to town next season. Howie Draper earned this retirement after giving 28 years of time, effort, and dedication to a program that he raised from infancy to the prominance it has today. And, as shown above, the effort he gave will continue to be seen across Canada for years to come thanks to everything he did to make the game better.

Thank you, Howie Draper, for being the best steward of women's hockey that I've seen in all my time involved with the game. Enjoy retirement with your wife, three kids, and your pup, and here's hoping that it's everything you imagined and more. You deserve it!

Until next time, raise your sticks high in honour of Howie Draper!