2025 FRED HESLOP AWARD - TODD CUNNINGHAM

Todd Cunningham’s commitment to hockey began at a young age, growing up and playing the game in North Vancouver.

It continues to this day as he coaches not one, but two teen and pre-teen girl’s teams for both the North Shore Winter Club and North Shore Avalanche, where his two daughters play.

“I’m not one who likes the attention, but it means a lot,” he said of receiving the Fred Heslop Minor Hockey Award, recognizing five individuals who have made significant contributions to BC Hockey, their Association and community. “I love the coaching.

“Being on the ice, it’s great daddy-daughter time, and I realize that there are a lot of people who volunteer so much of their time, it’s what makes it all work. I love the coaching side of it, being on the ice with the kids. I don’t necessarily need to be recognized, that’s not why you do it. My daughters appreciate it a lot, I started to realize that as they get older, they like to have me out there.”

And Cunningham loves being there for them and their teammates.

“There are so many people that do so much for hockey. Every team you’re on there are four or five people that really make it work, on every team, no matter the level. The managers do a lot and they don’t always get the recognition,” he said of having a strong team around him for support.

This season his youngest daughter Emerson’s North Shore Winter Club team had its fair share of success, winning two of the three tournaments they competed in and added a playoff banner to round out the campaign.

His eldest daughter Maelle’s Avalanche team enjoyed a challenging season and won a tournament in Seattle. In fact, the Cunningham family maintained their commitment to the game even with Todd’s wife Sommer spending a month in hospital, facing a pair of spinal surgical procedures said nominator Marjorie Dubasov.

“Todd was still able to work full time, take care of his family and coach both teams successfully,” she said.

“There was a lot of juggling, not just the hockey, but the everyday life stuff,” said Cunningham. “Hockey was a release, the least stressful part of it. At the end of the year, she was feeling better and participating a lot more.

“The girls have four ice times each, a week. It was a lot of juggling. Thankfully (Sommer’s) doing a lot better now.”

Cunningham, who played Junior B hockey, still plays to this day and took up coaching at a younger age. He stepped away from that role before returning again with his daughters.

“I didn’t realize how much I’d missed. It’s fun, you’re around good people and no matter what is going around your life, I find it calming to be around the rink,” he said. “Kids want to be there, they’re happy to be there and families want to be there. I didn’t realize how much I missed it.”

Mario Annicchiarico is a freelance writer based in Victoria who has previously covered the National Hockey League’s Edmonton Oilers, as well as the Western Hockey League.