Lacombe Composite High School teacher Lee Porath has been a dedicated NHL fan since she was a kid, and it's a passion that blends in with her work as a teacher. And to that end, she's been nominated for the 'Future Goals Most Valuable Teacher Award', which is presented by the NHL.
To come out on top, she needs the community's support by voting for her each day through to 11:59 p.m. (ET) on April 1.
To cast a vote for Porath, head to NHL.com/mvt, and click on her head shot. Folks can vote once a day, everyday, through to the end of the month.
According to the Future Goals website, "The Future Goals™ Most Valuable Teacher Program allows us to celebrate our everyday heroes in the classroom, the teachers, who do so much for children every single day. Students, faculty, administrators and parents can all show support for their favourite teacher by voting online."
One of Porath's colleagues - Darcy Davis - nominated her for the award. Porath is representing the Edmonton Oilers, and is in the running for the title along with 30 other teachers from across the continent - each representing a particular NHL team.
Porath said with the courses she teaches - which include various business subjects such marketing along with media, vehicle ownership, drama, and science 30 - integrating hockey concepts can be woven in quite naturally.
"We just did up a bunch of bags for the Ponoka U7 tournament with our new heat press," she said, adding that a couple of her business students are also creating proposals to try and get a grant to support projects for the hockey program at the school.
In the meantime, if she wins, she will be attending the All-Star game in February of 2026.
In a sense, she feels like she's already 'won'.
"In putting it out there on Facebook, some students have said some really nice, kinds things - so in reading those comments, I'm a winner not matter what," she said. "That has been a really neat experience."
As mentioned, Porath is indeed a true-blue hockey fan.
"Oh yes - my father raised me well," she said with a laugh. "I'm actually also a Blackhawks fan, too - which a lot of my students laugh at me for," she said. "But my Dad did raise me to be an Oilers fan."
Bolstering the Blackhawks connection is that former player Jeff Shantz is from Duchess, which is close to Porath's hometown, she noted.
Ultimately, it's tough to think of a more enthusiastic overall fan of the sport.
"What don't I love about hockey? It's just amazing. My husband and I, before we got married, actually went and watched the 2012 World Juniors in Edmonton," she recalled. "The emotion behind it - you watch the four nations, and you just see this passion behind it all.
"At the end of the day, it all shows so much hard work and dedication. I also have a lot of students who put a lot of time into hockey, and it has all helped me to connect with those kids."
Again, to vote for Porath, head to NHL.com/mvt.
