Stacey Wakabayashi - 

1. Stacey “Walk Right By Me” was a legendary Japanese Canadian forward from Kamloops, BC. 

2. He was a prolific scorer at every level. In 1982-83, he played 42 games in the @bchockeyleague with the Vernon Lakers and scored 77 points. 

3. In the following season, Stacey suited up for his hometown Kamloops Junior Oilers of the @whlhockey and recorded 70 points in 72 games, helping the team to capture the President’s Cup. 

4. From 1984-89, Stacey played 149 games for the @ualberta. There, he put up an astounding 298 points and won a University Cup in his final season with the Golden Bears. Stacey won several college awards during the championship run, including the Senator Joseph A. Sullivan Trophy (outstanding university hockey player in Canada); @thehockeynews Canadian University Player of the year; the Wilson Challenge Trophy (U of A’s most outstanding male athlete); and the UBC Hockey Alumni Trophy (recognizing sportsmanship and ability in Canada West).

A humble leader, Stacey graciously remarked, “I was reluctant to receive those recognitions, because to me that was just my role on the team. My role on the team was to produce offensively, and my contribution was no more than the guys that were penalty killers or hard-working checkers, and our goaltenders. My role just happened to be the one where you typically get some of that recognition. For me, all of those individual recognitions and accomplishments are simply a reflection of people around me, and that’s how we’re all taught.” 

5. In 1987-88, he also won a Spengler Cup with Team Canada. Despite these accolades, and even though he received offers to play in Europe and the minor leagues, Stacey opted to pursue his dream career of being a teacher after graduating with an education degree. He has worked as an elementary school teacher and, since 2006, also served as a consultant for the Provincial Outreach Program for Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder. He was inducted in the University of Alberta Sports Wall of Fame in 2004.

Special thanks to @kevinbhandal for the heads up on Stacey’s nickname! 👍