2026 Alumni & Guests Attending Hockey Day In Houston

The Howe Family

The most famous family in hockey history (Mr. Hockey® Gordie Howe, Mrs. Hockey® Colleen Howe, and their sons Mark and Marty) called Houston home from 1973-1977 winning 2 World Hockey Association AVCO World Trophy championships while turning Houston into a Hockey Town in the 1970's. To this day, the Howe family has deep ties to Houston including providing a $25,000 matching donation towards Hockey Day In Houston in 2025 and 2026.

Mark Howe

Former WHA Houston Aeros forward who later transitioned to defense is a, WHA Hall of Famer (2010), US Hockey Hall of Famer (2003), and Hockey Hall of Famer (2011). After the WHA and NHL merger Mark would play for the Hartford Whalers, Philadelphia Flyers, and Detroit Red Wings. Mark's number 2 is retired by the NHL Philadelphia Flyers (2012).

Marty Howe

A former WHA Houston Aeros forward, Marty was inducted to the WHA Hall of Fame in 2010. After the merger of the WHA and NHL, Marty would play for the Hartford Whalers and Boston Bruins.

Chie Chie Yard (née Sakuma)

The only Houston born and raised Olympic ice hockey player from Houston when she played for Japan in the 1998 Olympics and becoming Houston's first professional female hockey player. Prior to her professional and Olympic career, Chie Chie played for the Metropolitan Houston Hockey Association followed by NCAA Division 1 hockey at Brown University. Following her playing career, Chie Chie interned and became full time in the National Hockey League, where today she serves as Group Vice President of Events.

Bill "Foxy" Dineen

The only head coach of the WHA Houston Aeros, winning 2 Avco World Championships with the Aeros. Bill would also coach the New England Whalers in the WHA, the AHL Adirondack Red Wings, and the NHL Philadelphia Flyers, where he coached his son Kevin. Foxy would be inducted into the WHA Hall of Fame in 2010 and is often credited for the idea of how to bring the Howe's to Houston.

Chuck Watson

A Houston business entrepreneur, Chuck is the founder of Dynergy and Eagle Energy Partners. An Oklahoma State University Alum, Chuck would become a minority of the NFL Houston Texans and was the owner for the IHL/AHL Houston Aeros. Under Chuck's leadership, the Aeros won the IHL Turner Cup for the 1998-1999 season and the AHL Calder Cup in the 2002-2003 season. Following the Aeros relocation, Chuck retained ownership of the Aerodrome Ice Skating Complex in the Willowbrook area, where today it provides amateur hockey players and ice skaters and opportunity to share their passion of ice sports.

Terry Ruskowski

A Houston hockey fan favorite and leader, Rosco won the WHA Avco World Championship with the Aeros in his rookie season of 1974-1975. When the Aeros suspended operations, Terry joined the WHA Winnipeg Jets, where he won his 2nd championship. With the WHA/NHL merger, Rosco would go on to play for the Chicago Black Hawks, Los Angeles Kings, Pittsburgh Penguins, and Minnesota North Stars. As a player, Terry is the only major league professional player to captain 4 teams. Upon retiring Rosco got into coaching and would serve as the head coach of the IHL Aeros for 2 seasons.

Bobby Reynolds

A professional hockey veteran of over 1,000 games, Bobby would play 2 seasons with the IHL Houston Aeros before returning to his hometown of Flint, Michigan to finish his career. Prior to his professional career, Bobby was a national champion with Michigan State University. After retiring Bobby would coach 2 seasons in Flint, before relocating back to Houston. Upon relocating back, Bobby would become an amateur referee and coach with the Houston Jr. Aeros/Wild organization. Bobby would also open Reynolds Hockey Academy to provided further development both academically and athletically for youth hockey players in Houston.

Shelly Pottorf

The 1st Houston born and raised female NCAA Division 1 hockey player, Shelly tended the net for Princeton University, including being an all Ivy League selection in 1992. After college, Shelly would become hockey director at the Aerodrome- Sugar Land and coaching youth hockey. Shelly was one of the founders of the "HERicane" all girls hockey camp bringing in other NCAA coaches to Houston.

Blair Stewart

Known as a hard nosed, gritty forward, Blair spent seven years in the NHL with the Detroit Red Wings, Washington Capitals, and Quebec Nordiques. Blair returns to Houston where he played for the CenHL Houston Apollos in 1980-81

Michel Petit

A 16 year NHL veteran, playing for 10 teams with over 800 career regular season games played, Michel now calls The Woodlands home, serving as the CEO of Blueline Slapshot LLC.

Graeme Townshend

An 11 year professional hockey player, Graeme is the first Jamaican born NHL player debuting with the Boston Bruins. Graeme also played with the New York Islanders and Ottawa Senators. In 1994, Graeme signed with the IHL Houston Aeros where he became a fan favorite and was recognized as the IHL "Man of the Year" for his contributions on the ice and off the ice through his community contributions. Post playing career Graeme became a minor league coach and NHL developmental coach. In 2011 Graeme became the first coach of the Jamaican Men's Hockey Program, .

Jack Stanfield

A current Houston resident, Jack won the AVCO World Trophy as a player with the WHA Houston Aeros later becoming a coach, broadcaster, and executive with the team. Jack holds a dubious distinction of his only NHL game was with the Chicago Blackhawks during the playoffs. After retiring from hockey, Jack became a pioneer in sports broadcasting based out of Houston.

Chilly

Houston's favorite K-9 was the IHL and AHL Houston Aeros mascot. When the Aeros left Houston, Chilly remained in his hometown and will make special public appearances such as the Harris County- Houston Sports Awards, 50th reunion of the WHA Houston Aeros, Hockey Day In Houston, and supporting youth hockey in Houston.

Pete Dineen

Representing the Dineen family, Pete was a Philadelphia Flyers draft pick. Pete would play 11 professional seasons including stops with the LA Kings and Detroit Red Wings. After playing, Pete entered the coaching world and also served as Director of Player Personnel for the IHL Houston Aeros from 1994-1997.

Pete Donnelly

A Houston area resident, Pete had 9 year professional hockey career spending time in the WHA and even had a famous call up with his hometown Detroit Red Wings. Upon retiring, Pete moved to the Houston area where he would become a coach with Clear Lake in the ISHL.

Ron Grahame

Back stopping the WHA Houston Aeros to a AVCO World Championship, Ron was a 2 time WHA goalie of the year, and 1974-1975 playoff MVP. Ron would then go on and play in the NHL with the Boston Bruins, LA Kings, and Quebec Nordiques before retirement and becoming the Senior Associate Athletic Director at his Alma Mater, the University of Denver. Ron is WHA Hall of Famer and a class of 2025 Houston Hockey Hall of Famer.

Charlotte Grahame

The former Vice President of Hockey Operations for the Colorado Avalanche, Charlotte is one of only 17 women with her name etched onto the Stanley Cup, winning the cup in 2000-2001 with the Avalanche. She is also part of the only mother and son pair to have their names etched onto the Stanley Cup after her son John won the cup with the Tampa Bay Lightning!