Coaldale Minor Hockey Association is proud to select Stacy Roest as the second recipient and our first player to receive the “Tradition of Excellence” honour.  No alumni reflects the traits of character and hard work better than Stacy. He grew up in the Coaldale system and was able to parlay his skills and talents into a long and distinguished playing career in an era where size was favored over skill.  The former student of Sunnyside grew up just east of Lethbridge on his families acreage. Stacy embarked on his hockey career in Coaldale starting to play at age six. He played on several of CMHA’s most feared tiny mite and pee wee teams of the 80’s.  His leadership skills were evident very early on and most CMHA archive photos feature Stacy wearing the “C” on his jersey. When Roest reached bantam age, he was an integral part of the Val Matteoti Golden Hawks that won the Purolator Cup Championship as the best bantam team in Western Canada. 

In 1990, he joined the Medicine Hat Tigers of the Western Hockey League where he went on to have a successful five year stint amassing 445 points in his junior career. Once his junior season ended Stacy would return to Coaldale to graduate and play baseball with friends and former teammates at Kate Andrews High School. 

In 1994, he signed a contract with the Detroit Red Wings of the National Hockey League. From 1995 to 1998, he played with the Adirondack Red Wings, Detroit's farm team. From September 1998, Stacy went to Detroit's training cam and he made the team. he played for Detroit until 2000 when he was selected by the Minnesota Wild in the expansion Draft. He played with the Wild from 2000 to 2003. In 2003, he signed back with the Detroit Red Wings, moving back and forth between the Grand Rapid Griffins and Detroit Red Wings. 

In the summer of 2003, Stacy signed with the Rapperswil, Jona Lakers of the Swiss Elite League. Stacy is currently Director of player development for the Tampa Bay Lightning.  He presently resides in Vernon B.C. with his wife Billie and two children.

As important as all the statistics, awards and playing career the CMHA  selection committee chose Stacy for the honor based on his down to earth nature and development into a person respected not just in hockey but all circles he is involved in.  Congratulations!!