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University Of Alberta Golden Bears & Pandas

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Be The Roar

Sports Wall of Fame

Dave Breakwell

David Breakwell

  • Class
  • Induction
    2018
  • Sport(s)
    Golden Bears Hockey
• Member of the Golden Bears Hockey team from 1976-1979
• Three-time Canada West champion
• Played in three consecutive CIAU national championship finals, winning the national championship in 1978 and 1979
• 1978 Canada West first team All-Star, and national championship tournament All-Star
• Led the Bears in scoring in 1978, and finished his Bears career with 34 goals and 77 points in 70 Canada West conference games
• Played on Canadian National Team from 1978-79, and helped Canada win two Pacific Rim Tournaments (1978 and 1979), as a member of the Golden Bears

In each of the three seasons that David Breakwell played for the Golden Bears hockey team, from 1976 through ‘79, the team won the Canada West championship, and played in the national championship final, winning twice. That incredible run, followed by a third consecutive national championship victory in the 1979-80 season, cemented the legacy of those teams and athletes in the three different halls of fame.

Breakwell was a key contributor on those Hall of Fame bound Bears’ teams, playing as one of the top offensive centres on the team. In 70 career conference games in the Evergreen and Gold sweater, he recorded 32 goals and 80 points and was named a Canada West first team all-star in 1977-78, a season in which he led the Bears in scoring with 45 points in 20 games. He also notched 14 points in 12 career playoff games, including four goals and 12 points in nine University Cup national championship tournament games, and was named a national championship tournament all-star in 1977-78.

David’s offensive ability also helped him internationally when he played on the Canadian National Team from 1978-79, helping Canada qualify for the 1980 Winter Olympics. Breakwell also helped Canada win two Pacific Rim Tournaments, in 1978 and 1979, when the Golden Bears represented Canada and played against Team USA and the Japanese National Team.

He has continued to represent the Golden Bears hockey program very well as well an alumnus, including a term as the president of the Golden Bear Hockey Alumni Association. After earning his Bachelor of Commerce degree from the University of Alberta in 1979, he went to receive his Chartered Professional Accountant designation in 1982. He has held senior executive positions in the public and private sector, including as an Assistant Deputy Minister in Alberta’s Energy, Health and Infrastructure departments.

He also remained connected to the grassroots hockey community for 38 years, volunteering with the Edmonton Minor Hockey Association as a coach, manager and mentor. He has coached more than 800 local youth players, including 14 who went on to play in the NHL, and two Olympic gold medallists. His dedication and coaching excellence in the Edmonton hockey community, earned him the honour of being named a Lifetime Member of the South Side Athletic Club.

He is a proud addition to the University of Alberta Sports Wall of Fame.
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