RINGETTE CANADA ANNOUNCES NEW INDUCTEES INTO HALL OF FAME
Ottawa, ON–Ringette Canada is pleased to announce the 2025 inductees to the Ringette Hall of Fame: Angie Milbury, Builder; University of Alberta Ringette Coaches Bob Bailey, Bonnie Peters, John Romyn and Paul Hotke, Builder; and Benoît Ducharme, Official.
“We are delighted to welcome Angie Milbury, the coaches who started the University of Alberta ringette program, and Benoît Ducharme to the Hall of Fame,” said Debbie Frail, President of Ringette Canada. “They each have contributed to the sport in innumerable ways, and we are pleased to recognize them on this national level. The legacy they have created will impact the ringette community for generations.”
The Ringette Canada Hall of Fame recognizes outstanding contributions to the development of the sport of ringette and the outstanding achievements of ringette athletes, coaches, officials and administrators across Canada.
Angie Milbury – Builder has made a lifelong commitment to the development of ringette, both in New Brunswick and across Canada. Her unwavering support of the sport, on and off the ice, has allowed countless athletes and officials to thrive and create lasting memories.
Milbury’s ringette roots run deep in Fredericton, NB, where she was a player for nearly three decades, and coached ringette for 18 years, including Team New Brunswick. She also has officiated in Fredericton for 15 years, where she remains an on-ice official as of 2025. After years with the Fredericton Ringette Association Board of Directors, a unique opportunity arose for Milbury when the Canadian Ringette Championships descended upon Fredericton in 2013. She was a co-chair of the event, and continued to act as a mentor to future co-chairs for years to come, even as her involvement at the national level progressed.
Milbury served on Ringette Canada’s Board of Directors for nine years, including six as President. Some of the notable achievements include seeing ringette’s membership numbers grow to an all-time high, guiding the ringette community through the COVID-19 pandemic, development and implementation of numerous strategic initiatives to advance ringette in Canada and ensure it remains sustainable.
“For many years, Angie has been a driving force behind the promotion and advancement of ringette. Her passion for the sport has directly contributed to its expansion in [Fredericton], inspiring new generations to participate and excel. Angie embodies the very essence of what the Ringette Canada Hall of Fame represents—passion, commitment, and an enduring impact on the sport. Her contributions have significantly shaped the landscape of ringette in Fredericton and across Canada.” – Mike Walker, Fredericton Youth Ringette Association
University of Alberta Coaches Bob Bailey, Bonnie Peters, John Romyn, and Paul Hotke – Builder founded the University of Alberta ringette program in 2003, and continued as the program’s coaches until the 2019/2020 season. Over 17 years, their guidance and leadership helped their team, and the national ringette community as a whole achieve extraordinary success.
Committed to developing well-rounded student-athletes, they established a scholarship program that awarded over half a million dollars over 16 seasons to support players, and created a highly impactful “Ringette Scores on Cancer” tournament that raised nearly a million dollars in 11 years. In an effort to impact the community, the group launched a summer ringette camp that had more than 4,000 young participants take part, developed a school visitation program where they introduced thousands of children annually to ringette through gym ringette, and provided free ringette clinics and community outreach programs.
Their impact extended beyond their own school, as the group was instrumental in founding what was then called the Canadian University & College Ringette Association, developing the governance structure, bylaws, and establishing policies to ensure the growth and sustainability of university ringette across Canada. Under their leadership, the number of ringette teams grew from five in 2003 to nearly 20 in 2025.
Off the ice, team alumni remember their coaches for their leadership, commitment to developing well-rounded individuals, mentorship, and their tireless promotion of the sport of ringette.
“Bonnie, Bob, John, and Paul represent the heart and soul of ringette. Their collective efforts as coaches, builders, and mentors have elevated the sport and created a legacy that will continue to inspire future generations of athletes, coaches, and fans.” – Nicole Stadnyk
Benoît Ducharme – Official has been a constant, reassuring pillar of the ringette Officiating committee for many years.
A mainstay at the Canadian Ringette Championships, Ducharme attended 27 consecutive events as an on-ice Official, only missing one year due to an injury, earning his Level 5 along the way. Following his retirement as an on-ice Official after the 2024 Canadian Ringette Championships, Ducharme moved into a Supervisor position where he guides the next generation along their officiating pathways.
After achieving his Level 5, Ducharme officiated at four Canada Winter Games: 2003 Bathurst, NB, 2007 Whitehorse, YT, 2011 Halifax, NS and 2015 Prince George, BC. He has also officiated on the international stage at the 2007 World Ringette Championships in Ottawa, ON, followed by the 2008 World Club Championships in Sault St. Marie, ON.
As of 2025, Ducharme is a Master Instructor and Level 4 Evaluator, known for his engaging and informative courses, where he takes care to ensure every Official he encounters feels confident as they step onto the ice.
“Benoît has shared his passion for ringette at the local, provincial, and national levels. He is a reliable, conscientious, and calm partner. He supports his fellow officials by sharing his extensive knowledge and experience.” – Marilyne Dion
Please join us in celebrating and welcoming the newest inductees to the Ringette Hall of Fame.
About Ringette Canada
Ringette Canada is the national body that oversees ringette in Canada. Ringette is a Canadian sport that was invented in 1963 in North Bay, Ontario by Sam Jacks. There are currently over 30,000 players on nearly 2,000 teams across Canada, with over 1,500 officials and nearly 8000 coaches. Internationally, it is played in more than half a dozen countries worldwide. Ringette has been designated a Heritage Sport by Sport Canada and as part of the Sport for Life movement, ringette is well advanced at adapting Sport Canada’s Long Term Athlete Development model. Learn more at www.ringette.ca.