Kings Hockey receives multiple ACAC awards

Red Deer, March 16, 2018 – The Alberta Colleges Athletic Conference (ACAC) is pleased to announce Trevor Keeper of the Red Deer College Kings has been selected as the 2017-18 ACAC Men’s Hockey Coach of the Year. Two of his players have also been recognized for their outstanding achievements this season. Tanner Butler and Tyler Berkholtz have been named to the ACAC Men’s Hockey First All-Conference team.

Keeper, an instructor in RDC’s Kinesiology & Sport Studies department, has been the Head Coach of the RDC Kings since their return to ACAC competition in 2013-14 and has steadily built up the Kings Hockey program. This season, the Kings had 17 returning players and next season that number could jump to 21. Keeper led the RDC Kings to a 19-7-2-0 record this season and had his team near the top of the league in several categories. Along with 40 points and a third place finish in the regular season standings, the Kings had the second best penalty kill (90.5%) in the eight team league. Both their offensive output and goals against average ranked third in ACAC Men’s Hockey. This year, Keeper guided the Kings to the semi-finals.

“Trevor has been able to build a team which is very successful academically and athletically. Winning this award is representative of his five-year vision for Kings Hockey,” says Diane St-Denis, RDC Athletic Director. “It takes time to build a program, and being able to recruit and retain the student-athletes in ACAC Men’s Hockey is a big part of that.”

A pair of Keeper’s recruits, Tanner Butler and Tyler Berkholtz, have both made a positive impact with the Kings and were chosen as 2017-18 All-Conference selections.

Butler, the captain of the Kings, had an incredible season on the blueline. The fourth-year student- athlete contributed at both ends of the ice and recorded 12 goals and 21 assists while taking care of his defensive responsibilities. The smooth skating defenceman led by example all-season and was an integral member on the Kings’ special teams. The Kinesiology & Sport Studies student from Souris, Manitoba scored six power play goals and was a key player on the penalty kill. The former player for the Dauphin Kings added one game winning goal.

“I think that Tanner is the best two-way defenceman in the league. He led the d-men in scoring and finished fourth in league scoring. He is so good defensively, penalty killing and one-one-one,” says Keeper. “I think he is the ACAC version of a Nick Lidstrom type of defenceman. He is a quiet leader but he says the right things, and is very respected in the dressing room.”

Berkholtz was another important member of the RDC Kings this past season. The fifth-year student- athlete consistently brought a strong work ethic every game and was one of the heart-and-soul players wearing the crown. This year, the Management Certificate student from Penticton accumulated 16 goals and 22 assists which placed him second in league scoring. The assistant captain had five power play goals and two game winning goals while playing in all situations.

“Tyler has gotten better every year over the four years that he has been here,” says Keeper. “He is a competitor, never quits and always wants to win. He’s a mature player and he was a great leader for us.”

The awards were announced Friday, March 16 at the opening game of the ACAC Men’s Hockey finals.

Related Topics:feature Kings RDC Red Deer

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Our sweetest success yet: Smile Cookie Campaign breaks record

Published on June 11, 2025

Red Deer Public Schools

Just when we thought our smiles couldn’t get any bigger – they did! And we have the Red Deer community to thank for their overwhelming support.

We are so excited to share the total from the Tim Hortons Smile Cookie Campaign this past spring…and it’s very impressive. In fact, it’s an all-time record, and we couldn’t be more grateful.

Over the long-week campaign held April 28-May 4, Red Deerians indulged in a lot of cookies – $80,773 worth! These funds will go directly to helping struggling readers become readers of potential through Reading College, a project of The Foundation for Red Deer Public Schools.

Reading College, held each July, provides students with identified reading gaps an incredible summer experience that builds their skills, confidence, and love for reading. Students leave the program with stronger reading and writing abilities, and a solid foundation for success in school and life. Now in its 14th year, 1,000 students have graduated from Reading College.

“We continue to be amazed by the generosity of our community and the partnership with Tim Hortons,” said Kristine Plastow, Board Chair for The Foundation for Red Deer Public Schools. “These dollars directly impact kids who need extra support to become confident readers. The difference this program makes is life-changing.”

Tanya Doucette, Tim Hortons Restaurant Owner in Red Deer, said it’s incredible to see what can happen when a community comes together. The simple act of purchasing a cookie by so many amazing guests, makes a huge difference for young students right here in Red Deer.

“This record-breaking year shows how much our guests care. We are so pleased to support Reading College and help give students the tools they need to thrive,” she said.

Red Deer

Red Deer Student honoured with Chief Youth Courage Award

Published on June 10, 2025

Red Deer Public Schools

When you meet Brayden Chenier, a Grade 8 student at GH Dawe School, it’s clear why he’s been chosen to represent youth across Alberta. Brayden is the proud recipient of the Integrated School Support Program Provincial (ISSP) Chief Youth Courage Award, presented by the Calgary Police Youth Foundation, in recognition of his resilience, leadership and commitment to his community.

The award celebrates students who demonstrate courage and dedication to becoming a responsible and caring citizen, especially within a diverse school and community, and was presented earlier this spring at the Calgary Police Awards Gala. As part of the honour, Brayden will now serve as a youth ambassador, helping to raise awareness about child and youth crime prevention, education, and intervention programs across the province.

“It’s pretty surreal that I will be all over the province for a year,” said Brayden. “I am looking forward to helping out in the community.”

Brayden has been part of the ISSP program through GH Dawe School since 2023 and has benefited greatly from the support offered.

With the support of the mental health professional, Brayden has been able to successfully navigate a variety of challenges in his life including coming to terms with his disability and navigating a tragic loss in his life.

Born with clubfoot, Brayden has never let his physical disability stand in his way. He is an avid athlete in a number of sports including hockey, basketball, golf, track, volleyball and soccer. His goal is working towards becoming an athlete in the Paralympics.

Brayden was nominated by GH Dawe School Counsellor Amy Johansson, who described him as a compassionate, kind, hardworking, and honest person who is driven and motivated to be his very best at all that he attempts.

She added that within the GH Dawe School community, Brayden is a highly respected citizen by all students and staff. “He is highly committed to sports connected to our school, as well as sports outside of our school community. Brayden works diligently at his academics. And is so very helpful and caring, always. Brayden works to overcome a list of things that he will not allow to hold him back.”

GH Dawe School is part of Alberta’s Integrated School Support Program – a child wellness initiative aimed at improving academic performance and the overall well-being of students. The program supports schools like GH Dawe with services to meet the diverse needs of students and families.

As he takes on his role as a provincial ambassador, Brayden continues to be a role model for his peers and a reminder of the power of perseverance and community support.