Falcons Hockey Association

Wally Kormylo's contributions to hockey at the grassroots level are legendary.  A self-taught skater from Winnipeg, Man., it is estimated that Kormylo has passed on his passion for skating and hockey to more than 50,000 kids in over 60 yers of service, and he continues to do so today, at the age of 83.

Kormylo's greatest impact may have come in suburban Chicago, where his coaching resume includes stints with Lake Forest College, Lake Forest Academy, the Chicago Minor Howks, the Chicago Young Americans, the Highland Park Leafs, the Glenview All Stars, the Falcons Hockey Association and the Korean American Ice Hockey Association.

After moving to Chicago in 1949, Kormylo began his professional career in power skating.  In 1953, he became the first head hockey coach for the U.S. Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, Colorado.  He later became a renowned instructor at various skating camps, and helped an 11 year-old Wayne Gretzky at such a camp in Belleville, Ontario, in 1972.

Kormylo also volunteered for more than 30 years at the Stan Mikita Hearing Impaired Hockey School.  During that time, the late former Chicago Blackhawks coach Keith Magnuson saw his emphasis on power skating and invited Kormylo to help his team on a regular basis.  Many of the players, like Troy Murray, Dennis Savard and Darryl Sutter, took to Kormylo's teachings instantly.

Kormylo was inducted into the Illinois Hockey Hall of Fame in 2005 and the Falcons Hockey Hall of Fame in 2009.  Additionally, he has been recognized by the Chicago Wolves, and the city of Highland Park, Illinois, which honored Kormylo with a day in his name.

Along with his wife of 54 years, Darlene, Kormylo is the father if six children, including sons, Craig, Kent and Rodger, and daughters Debi, Sandee and Shari.  He is also grandfather to 14 and great-grandfather to six.  He and his wife reside in Kenosha, Wisconsin.

excerpt taken from USA Hockey President's Awards Program