Kelly McCrimmon to receive honorary diploma from Assiniboine

BRANDON, Man. (May 15, 2019) – Assiniboine Community College will be presenting Kelly McCrimmon with an honorary diploma in Business Administration at this year’s graduation ceremony in Brandon.

Mr. McCrimmon is well-known and respected across Manitoba and beyond for his passion and contributions to the hockey world, including the decades he served as general manager, head coach, and owner of the Brandon Wheat Kings.

Earlier this month, McCrimmon was named General Manager for the Vegas Golden Knights, having joined the hockey operations team less than three years prior. He was also recently named a 2019 inductee for the Manitoba Hockey Hall of fame.

“Mr. McCrimmon has spent much of his career investing his time and talent in Brandon and the Westman region,” said Assiniboine president Mark Frison. “He’s the embodiment of hard work, perseverance, and passion rolled into one, and we are thrilled to be recognizing and celebrating him for a lifetime as a community-minded businessman.”

In 1992, McCrimmon purchased one-third ownership of the Wheat Kings from partner Bob Cornell, later taking sole ownership in 2000. During his time with the Wheat Kings, the team won more than 400 games, played in four Memorial Cups, and captured ten Eastern Division pennants and six Eastern Conference Championships.

Through the Wheat King’s scholarship program, hundreds of former players have received financial support for post-secondary education, offering them the tools for success following their hockey careers.

The team has leveraged its profile over the years to raise thousands of dollars for local charities including the United Way, MS Society of Canada, Westman Dreams for Kids Foundation, Cancer Care Centre, Western Manitoba Cancer Care, the Brandon Humane Society, and the Brandon Regional Health Centre Foundation.

Many credit McCrimmon for his efforts that brought the 2010 Memorial Cup to Brandon, generating millions of dollars for the local economy, resulting in significant upgrades to the Keystone Centre.

In August 2016, McCrimmon was named Assistant General Manager of the Vegas Golden Knights, a team that went to the Stanley Cup Final in its first season (2017-18).

That team also broke the NHL record as the fastest expansion franchise to win its first 20 games. Earlier this month, McCrimmon announced his next move forward, when he was named General Manager for the Golden Knights, effective September 1.

He and his wife, Terry, have two grown children, Chelsea and Micky.

Mr. McCrimmon will address Assiniboine graduates at the June 13 ceremony in Brandon, which begins at 2 p.m. at the Keystone Centre’s main arena.

(Source: ACC Release)