Ken Mantin has been around hockey and sports for such a long time, you’d be convinced he’s one of our senior citizens  collecting an old age pension. Truth is, Ken’s still a year shy of turning 60.  

 But, yes, he has been around for decades. That’s because his contributions to sports began 43 years ago. He was just a 17-year-old when he became secretary of Halifax’s minor hockey association. He remained in the position for eight years.  

Born in Halifax, he graduated from St. Patrick’ s High School and Saint Mary’s University. His working career began as clerk of works for the City of Halifax. From 1965 to 1967 he was secretary-manager of the Colchester Legion Stadium in Truro. He was secretary-treasurer of the Atlantic Provinces Arena Managers Association.  

 In 1967 , after holding positions with several sports governing bodies in the province, he joined the Canadian Amateur Hockey Association (CAHA), working in Winnipeg and Ottawa. He rose to the office of development coordinator at the CAHA, which at the time regulated and promoted the activities of 500,000 players on 25,000 teams.  

Mantin served as the CAHA’s representative to the Canadian Amateur Sport Federation, Canadian Coaches Association,  Canadian Olympic Association and the CAHA-NHL joint negotiating committee. He was also responsible for the CAHA’s rules committee and clinic program.  

 He resigned in 1971 to become the first executive director of Sport Nova Scotia, the umbrella organization formed a few months earlier to promote, encourage and stimulate interest in amateur sports in the province.  

 Since returning to Nova Scotia, he has maintained a high profile in the sports community. He was at Sport Nova Scotia for more than a decade, overseeing its rise as a major leader in amateur sports. His hard work and dedication was noted by everyone around him.  

 Yet his profile probable became even more noticeable when he took over the presidency of the Nova Scotia Hockey Association, one of the most difficult executive positions in any sport in this province. Again, he served with dedication, sparked by his love for the game that evolved during his years playing at minor, school, university and junior levels.  

Mantin’s presidency wasn’t always smooth sailing. Opponents rose up at times but his many efforts to improve the game in all aspects kept silencing opponents. He was the leader, the inspiration and the driving force behind hockey’s highly-heralded plan of action that brought improvements in administration, development, officiating, coaching and discipline.  

His battle against on-ice violence was another area in which he made significant progress. He argued wisely that it is the  responsibility of hockey itself to put an end to fighting in the only sport that permits fisticuffs as part of the action. He has  convinced many people that an overall fighting ban is the best course of action for the sport. When that day comes, Mantin  will have played a significant role.  

Ken Mantin’s work has not gone unnoticed. In 1988, the CAHA recognized his efforts, presenting him the highest honor granted by the organization. The meritorious award acknowledged his contribution to the development of hockey at all levels. Later that year, Mantin was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in Toronto where his name was added to the CAHA honour role.  

Now, in what was considered long overdue, Kenneth Charles Mantin is being inducted into the province’s highest athletic chamber, the Nova Scotia Sport Heritage Centre Hall of Fame.  

Like the other honours, the recognition is greatly deserved. A humble man in many ways, but a proud man nonetheless, Ken has been a magnificent credit to his province and to the many sports he served faithfully and diligently.  

Bio Courtesy of Hugh Townsend