Lynne Kiang loves hockey almost as much as life itself and has trouble saying no to anyone involved in the game.
For the last 21 years, the mom of two has devoted the vast majority of her free time either at the ice rink or organizing stuff off it.
From team manager to tournament chair to ice scheduler, Kiang has done everything, bar coaching for either Richmond Minor Hockey or the Pacific Coast Amateur Hockey Association.
So it should come as no surprise to anyone who knows her that shes made it to the final 20 in the Kraft Hockey Goes On contest which recognizes volunteerism in the sport and carries a top prize of $100,000 for the winners association.
It was all my husbands fault, said Kiang about why she first stepped into the local hockey scene in 1992 as a team manager.
He and his friend decided to become non-parent coaches and part of the way through that season, the team manager quit and I was asked to step in.
I did that for the next couple of years and then they needed help with running a tournament. I became chair of that tournament in my year involved with it.
Even giving birth to her first child, Ben, in 1995 didnt stop her from taking on yet another role at Richmond Minor Hockey, this time as divisional manager.
Someone said to me, I guess you cant help out now? recalled Kiang.
I said, why? I just came to the rink each time with Ben in my arms and when I eventually had two toddlers running around, I brought the two of them with me as well. They ran around under the table while I volunteered.
And during her many years as the associations ice scheduler, there were many hair-raising weeks and months of solving the allocation puzzle.
Back in those days it was a lot more difficult, we didnt have email or the Internet and only a few people had cell phones, she said.
It was all old fashioned phone calls. And one year the igloo broke down and we had to rotate the closure around everyones schedule.
We basically had to have a new schedule every day, it was crazy.
Kiang now spends most of her free time working for the Pacific Coast Midgets Rep League and was genuinely humbled when she learned of her contest nomination and finalist berth.
Its a complete shock and an honour to be in there with so many other great names.
This past season has also been extra special for Kiang, as she basked in the parental glow of being able to witness her sons, now age 17 and 15, playing on the same team for the first time.
So why, given the personal significance of the year just passed and having put in an incredible 21-year shift, would she keep doing what shes doing?
When I see their smiling faces at the end of a game or when they score a goal, it makes it all worthwhile, admitted Kiang.
I love the sport, the people, the kids. Its one of the best games in the world. There are other sports with great volunteers, but theres nothing quite like hockey.
The grand prize winner from the Pacific region will win $100,000 for their selected minor hockey association.
Four second prize winners will be awarded $20,000 for their selected associations.
