Hockey Nova Scotia and President Brad MacKinley are proud to announce Dean Smith as the recipient of the 2026 President's Award.

This award was created in 1988 by former Hockey Nova Scotia President Ken Mantin and is presented annually to an individual who, in the opinion of the president, has made a remarkable contribution to the sport and has provided outstanding service to amateur hockey throughout Nova Scotia.

Dean is a Halifax lawyer with a passion for making hockey a safe and welcoming game for every Nova Scotian. He served as Chair of Hockey Nova Scotia's Diversity and Inclusion Task Force and now sits on our Board of Directors as Chair of Diversity and Inclusion, where he has spent every season since turning the task force's recommendations into action and making our sport more inclusive, one program and one partnership at a time.

He is the driving force behind Hockey Nova Scotia's Black Youth Ice Hockey Program, which introduces the game to more than 30 young Black Nova Scotians each season, with several graduates advancing to elite levels of the sport. He serves as Secretary of the Black Ice Hockey and Sports Hall of Fame Society, helped lead the #StrongerTogether campaign with arenas across the province, and was an integral part of the organizing committee that launched the Halifax Hockey Summit. In 2023, the National Hockey League recognized his impact with the Willie O'Ree Community Hero Award presented by Hyundai in Canada.

Dean's leadership has left every program and initiative he has touched better than he found it. We are fortunate to have someone with his vision and dedication as part of our Hockey Nova Scotia team.

On behalf of all of us, congratulations on your award, Dean. Thank you for everything you do.