2026 FRED HESLOP AWARD - DAVID LE

For David Le, volunteering for North Vancouver Minor Hockey Association (NVMHA) for the last 12 years has been a labour of love that he gladly shares with his family.

In fact, the father of three children–Sydney, Logan and Owen and spouse of Geneva Chan–has kept himself busy since he first stepped into coaching some 30 years ago, leading his younger sister’s soccer team back in Alberta.

His philosophy has always been the same, watching minor athletes grow along with their peer groups.

“What I found through youth sports was that it was a very interesting opportunity to pull together families with similar values–kind of family first,” said Le. “One of my core beliefs was lead and inspire through vision, and lead through values. I've always approached my teams that I coach that way.”

This season, Le served as manager for his son Logan’s U18 A1 team, as well as sitting on NVMHA’s board of directors as U15 division director. He also contributes to the hockey operations committee.

For his efforts, Le was named one of five winners of BC Hockey’s 2026 Fred Heslop Awards, which honours members who have given outstanding service and who have devoted a volunteer effort and service to a minor hockey program in British Columbia and Yukon.

Le, who just returned from watching his daughter Sydney compete on Canada’s national junior field hockey team in Santiago, Chile, said that even with three children of his own involved in various sports, the family has always found a common denominator.

“We found these pockets of communities that we've built through youth sports that have been some of the best experiences of our entire lives and that’s part of the reason why I was so all-in with Logan's U18 A1 team this year,” he said.

“I've probably coached a third of that roster since they were six years old, even though I'm just a manager this year.”

So, to receive the Heslop Award in his son’s final year of minor hockey is truly special.

“It's a huge honour, obviously. I do it primarily because of my love for my kids and a very special group of kids that I've been very close to now for again, about 12 years,” said Le, who also has a strong love for the community.

“There are a lot of good families and friends that we've grown very close to along the way and, especially in their last year, you do anything you can to make that last year really special as the kids graduate. To me that's not work. That's just trying to do the best thing that you can for other people who really matter,” he said.

Le credits his wife for her support over the years.

“She's one of the only people that really understands how crazy and over the top I might get when it comes to giving back to these kids, these families in the community, and the sport. Without her understanding and support, it wouldn't be possible.”