ABOUT THE AUTHOR- 

Mark Weninger

I was born in Saskatoon, Sask. and raised in the small village of Fabyan, Alta. At the age of 14, I moved to Lethbridge, Alta. I graduated from the University of Lethbridge in 1980 and spent 35 years working in Human Services for the Government of Alberta before retiring in 2016. I golf in the summer and play old-timer hockey in the winter.

I come from a family passionate about hockey. My oldest son Matthew played junior hockey with the Kindersley Klippers and Flin Flon Bombers of the SJHL. He received an NCAA Division I scholarship to St. Lawrence University in Canton, NY., in 2010. He was the starting goalie during his entire four seasons for the Saints, establishing numerous goaltending records for the program. He currently works for Hockey Alberta and is the goaltending coach for the Moose Jaw Warriors of the Western Hockey League. Matthew had the privilege of coaching, with former Bronco Dave Barr, at the U18 World Championships in 2021 where Canada won a gold medal.

My son Evan played minor hockey for many years. I always considered him to be the “hardest worker of the bunch.” While smaller in stature compared to others his age, he was tireless, a grinder and great team member. While Evan never pursued hockey beyond the Bantam level, he was actively involved in numerous other sports throughout his teen years.

My daughter Sarah played midget hockey for the Southeast Tigers of the AFMHL for three seasons before playing five seasons of U Sports hockey from 2012 to 2017 with the Mount Royal University Cougars. When she graduated she was the all-time leading scorer in the program. Sarah volunteered with HEROS for three years. This opportunity was instrumental in her winning U Sports’ Marion Hilliard Award for student-athlete community service. Further, her experience with HEROS helped her begin a career working with youth and families struggling with trauma, addiction and mental health issues.

My brother Bill’s three boys all played goal. James played Junior B in Calgary while David played on the last Centennial Cup-winning team in 1995 with the Calgary Canucks before playing four seasons at Michigan Tech. Drafted in the third round of the 1996 NHL draft by the Washington Capitals, he played one season in the AHL before retiring from the game. His younger brother, Todd, played two seasons with the Calgary Canucks before playing college hockey at Michigan Tech.

My brother Tom’s son, Mike played Junior B in Lloydminster and was part of a provincial championship team coached by former Bronco Brent Dallyn. Mike scouted for the Medicine Hat Tigers during the early 2000’s and was part of two WHL championship teams with the Tigers in a scouting capacity.

Mark Weninger   info@lethbridge-broncos-blog.com