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Hockey Calgary is deeply saddened by the passing of Perry Cavanagh, an extraordinary volunteer and leader whose dedication to youth hockey and sport in Calgary spanned more than three decades.
Perry’s involvement in minor hockey began over 30 years ago as a coach for his oldest son’s team. From there, his commitment to the game grew, moving into administrative roles where he served as President of the Southern Alberta Tyke Hockey Association, the Properties Sports Hockey Association, and the Minor Hockey Association of Calgary (now Hockey Calgary). In 1998, he joined the Hockey Calgary Board of Directors and went on to serve two terms as President, remaining on the board until 2014. During this time, Perry was instrumental in pioneering the Respect in Sport program. He worked alongside Sheldon Kennedy and Wayne McNeil on this cornerstone initiative designed to reinforce positive behaviours and support the role of parents and guardians in youth sport. Over the years, he also supported the Calgary Police Service’s Power Play youth drop-in initiative, and collaborated with Dr. Carolyn Emery, PhD, on research into sport-related concussions. Perhaps his greatest accomplishment during his time with Hockey Calgary was chairing the committee that eventually saw the expansion of Max Bell Centre to two arenas, ensuring improved access to hockey facilities for generations to come. In 2022 Max Bell 2 was officially renamed the Perry Cavanagh arena, cementing Perry’s lasting legacy in Minor Hockey in Calgary.
At the provincial level, Perry represented Zone 9 (Calgary) as a member of the Hockey Alberta Board of Directors in 2010 before joining the Hockey Alberta Foundation in 2013, working to “improve the quality of life of Albertans through hockey.”
Beyond hockey, Perry served as Chairman of Sport Calgary from 2015–2019, representing Calgary’s amateur sport community, and contributed to organizations including Comrie’s Sports Equipment Bank Society and the Don Hartman North East Sportsplex Society.
Perry’s leadership, passion, and selfless dedication to Calgary’s hockey community have left a lasting legacy. He will be remembered not only for his countless contributions to the game but for the positive impact he had on everyone he worked with. Hockey Calgary extends our deepest condolences to Perry’s family, friends, and all who were fortunate to know him.