Hockey Canada Resumes Order of Hockey in Canada
The national governing body has revived its prestigious recognition program after a hiatus.
Updated on Oct. 27, 2026 in Hockey
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Hockey Canada has officially resumed the Order of Hockey in Canada, a program established in 2012 to honour significant contributions to the sport. The organization has appointed a new selection committee to manage the upcoming inductees.
Why it matters
The program was paused following the controversy surrounding the 2018 world junior team that emerged in May 2022. Resuming the awards marks a return to the organization's tradition of recognizing individual achievements within the sport.
Since its inception in 2012, the program has recognized 36 individuals for their contributions to the sport. The most recent class was inducted in June 2022, with the program now set to return for the Class of 2026.
The players
Hockey Canada
The national governing body for ice hockey in Canada responsible for overseeing the sport and its various programs.
Steve Yzerman
A legendary hockey player and executive who serves as a member of the newly appointed selection committee.
Jayna Hefford
A celebrated Canadian former professional ice hockey player who is part of the award selection committee.
Angela James
A pioneer of women's hockey in Canada who serves as a member of the program's selection committee.
Kyle Dubas
A prominent hockey executive who has been appointed to the committee overseeing the revived award program.
The details
Hockey Canada appointed a diverse selection committee to oversee the return of the program, including Jayna Hefford, Angela James, France St-Louis, and Steve Yzerman. Other members tasked with the selection process are Shannon, Kyle Dubas, Tyler McGregor, Anne Merklinger, and Shawn Redmond.
Timeline
The Order of Hockey in Canada was originally established in 2012.
Sexual assault allegations against the 2018 world junior team members became public in May 2022.
The most recent class was inducted into the program in June 2022.
Hockey Canada announced the return of the program on October 27, 2026.
Season Trajectory
The resumption of this awards program follows the 2018 world junior team sexual assault allegations, which previously forced the pause of the program. This move marks a departure from the suspension period triggered by those events as the organization attempts to normalize its institutional traditions.
The reactivation of this program sets the stage for the selection of the Class of 2026, which will be the first new group inducted since 2022. Hockey fans and industry observers will monitor the selection committee's upcoming announcements to see how the organization evaluates contributors in the current environment.
The takeaway
The return of the Order of Hockey in Canada signals an attempt to restore long-standing institutional traditions within the national governing body. Observers should watch for the announcement of the 2026 class to understand how the organization plans to balance legacy recognition with its current operational mandate.
What happens next
Hockey Canada plans to announce the official inductees for the Class of 2026.
Further reading
For more on the latest developments in the sport, visit Hockey.
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