Candidates List
Director at Large Risk and Safety Portfolio
Sam Bhalesar
My name is Sam Bhalesar. I am running for the position of Director of Risk and Safety. It has been a great privilege and honor to be in this position this past season. I met with many many of you through our team meetings (more than half), by phone calls and at the arenas.
This past year I wanted to change the way we approached risk and safety issues and to deal with bullying head on. Last season I felt it was important to build an organization on trust, transparency, safety and professionalism. When I came into the position I wanted to open the door for everyone to feel safe and to have a place where people can come and not feel worried about repercussions for speaking out. I feel confident that I was able to accomplish this as a first step. In my position, the decision to bring kids to hearings or deal with suspensions is very difficult. That is the worst part of the job. When I have to do this, I always try to see it from each parents’ side and approach it with empathy, kindness and the utmost respect. I want to continue building a safe place for everyone so that kids love and continue to play hockey. There is no room for bullying or harassment and that was my number one reason for standing for this position. I want to continue supporting coaches and giving them a platform where they can have a soundboard to make decisions and help children develop. And also to protect them.
My husband and I are proud parents to two boys who have played with KMHA for from the day they stepped on the ice. They just finished u11 and u14. I take great pride in being a part of this community and I’ve made lifelong friends through this association. I bring a lot of experience when it comes to Boards, Associations, and Community. I also bring to this position, training in safety from my roles at the hospital where I have been taught hands on safety and what to look for should an emergency arise.
It is important that each and every child has the same equal opportuniries and most of all that they have FUN. This is why I decided to put my name forward again for risk and safety, and to ensure all kids are protected and that we continue to ensure hockey is played with the highest level of care and ensuring our children are safe in every way possible.
I work as a Senior Advisor, managing numerous projects including Canadian energy projects, the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, Indigenous Justice Strategy, G7, G20, I currently serve as the Founder and CEO of the Canadian South Asian Women’s Chamber of Commerce, Board of Director with the Ottawa Community Housing Foundation, Queensway Carleton Hospital and the Canadian Broadcasting Standards Council. In May 2023, I was selected as Canada’s Chair of Negotiations and Diplomacy for the G100.
I also sit on the Board for Hockey Helps the Homeless where I also watch for the safety of X NHL players and teams that they are on.
All kids deserve the same treatment and training. I always ensures that parents, coaches and kids feel like a part of the team. My purpose of continuing on this board is to ensure that we bring fresh perspectives and keep growing this great Association. I sincerely hope you will give me another season to be a part of your Board and to allow me to continue to work for you.
Kayla O’Donnell
As an active member of the Kanata Minor Hockey Community, I have spent the past 2 seasons as convenor for the U7 program. For the 20205/26 season I am hoping to use my experience in risk management, as a certified ISO auditor, familiar with risk management practices in the workplace and extensive experience in developing and implementing strategic initiatives that enhance safety, ensure regulatory compliance, and mitigate operational risks, and bring that to the role of Director at Large, Risk and Safety with Kanata Minor Hockey. I understand the importance of taking a thoughtful, commonsense, and risk-based approach to decisions when managing difficult situations and hope to bring that forward in this role with Kanata Minor Hockey while upholding the core values of KMHA, HEO and Hockey Canada.
Director at Large Officials AA/A and B league rep
David Chin
Having a young child in KMHA over the past three years—progressing through U7, U9 house, and U9 competitive programs—I have personally experienced the challenges parents face when it comes to hockey development. Wanting to make a difference, I took the initiative in the 2023-2024 season by organizing development sessions for players in the 2015-2018 age groups, booking over 100 hours of ice time in 2024. Through this work, I collaborated closely with KMHA coaches, gaining valuable insights into the challenges they encounter and the improvements they believe are needed to strengthen our hockey program.
Some key initiatives I have led during the 2024-2025 season include:
- Collaborating with Sensplex tournament organizers and Gloucester Rangers association president to bring an U9 full-ice tournament to Ottawa for the 2025-2026 season.
- Advocating for KMHA coaches in league meetings and engaging with other HEO association representatives to build consensus on key motions.
- Volunteering to secure ice for the U9 Rep A year-end jamboree, ensuring it would not be canceled.
- Addressing referee concerns by working directly with the KMHA Referee-in-Chief to discuss and resolve issues.
- Pushing for an increase in the number of exhibition games allowed for Rep B teams under the pathway program.
- Consistently reaching out to impacted coaches to gather their feedbacks before important league votes.
If re-elected, I will continue to advocate for KMHA, ensuring our coaches, players, and families have a strong voice in league decisions. I remain committed to driving positive change and working closely with my fellow directors to enhance the hockey experience for all KMHA members.
I appreciate your support and the opportunity to continue serving our community.
Sean MacDonald
My name is Sean MacDonald. I was born and raised on the east coast and have lived in Ottawa for the last 25 years.
I’ve been a volunteer with KMHA for the last 8 years in several roles which I have truly enjoyed.
I have discovered how rewarding it can be to give your time to the game of hockey.
I look forward to being part of the KMHA board. I’m hoping to do my part to make the Kanata Minor Hockey Association a great experience for each of our athletes and their family, on and off the ice.
As Director at Large – Officials I will strive to uphold the quality of officiating in Kanata. I will work to maintain a positive environment for officials to develop. I’ll address issues or concerns related to officiating in a timely manner.
Tom Sweeney
Hockey has been a cornerstone of my life for decades, shaping my approach to leadership, teamwork, and development within the game. I bring a well-rounded perspective to this role, having been deeply involved in hockey as a player, coach, and highly competitive official.
- Coaching Experience: I have five years of coaching experience, coaching for both KMHA and KGHA across house league and competitive teams from U7 through U11. My coaching philosophy emphasizes playing with pace, making aggressive yet smart plays, and fostering a culture of respect, accountability, and sportsmanship.
- Playing Experience: With a lifetime of playing experience, I understand the game from an athlete’s perspective—how decisions are made on the ice, the importance of team dynamics, and the impact officiating has on the game’s flow.
- Officiating Experience: I previously spent 20+ years officiating at a highly competitive level, successfully managing high-intensity games with confidence, fairness, and consistency. I spent 14 years as an official within the Ontario Hockey League, along with being a Level 6 certified official with the privilege to have been selected to work 9 national championships. This experience has given me a deep appreciation for the demands on officials, their critical role in the game, and the importance of mentorship in developing young referees.
Why I Am a Strong Fit for This Role
As Director at Large, Officials, my goal would be to elevate officiating standards within KMHA, ensuring that officials are well-supported, well-trained, and equipped to uphold the integrity of the game. My combined experience as a coach, player, and high-level official allows me to bridge the gap between all stakeholders—coaches, players, parents, and officials—fostering a culture of mutual respect.
I am passionate about mentoring officials, helping them develop their skills, confidence, and game management abilities. I understand the challenges they face and am committed to advocating for their success while promoting a positive, development-focused approach across all levels of KMHA hockey.
I look forward to the opportunity to contribute to the growth of officiating within KMHA and to support the development of the next generation of referees.