Sask. hockey community loses long-serving leader

The Saskatchewan hockey community is mourning the loss of one of its most influential builders, North Battleford native Graham Tuer, who passed away at the age of 87 earlier today.

Tuer, who’s involvement in hockey goes back over 50 years, was inducted into the Saskatchewan Hockey Hall of Fame in the builders category at a ceremony hosted by the Battlefords North Stars at the Civic Centre last month.

The Saskatchewan Hockey Association (SHA) said he was “instrumental” in creating the Saskatchewan development model, which combines the efforts of the three biggest hockey leagues in the province — the Western Hockey League, the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League and the Saskatchewan Midget AAA Hockey League — to offer a development and education program for athletes in Saskatchewan.

“Graham devoted his life to the game of hockey in multiple capacities and within many organizations,” the SHA said in a press release. “His absolute passion for the game of hockey and drive to assist and help others was unparalleled. Tuer’s involvement in hockey spans more than five decades as a volunteer, administrator, general manager and scout at every level in minor and junior hockey in Saskatchewan.”