Vernon teacher’s Larry Kwong tale wins $250 award

Two writings. Two honours. Two countries. One subject. Vernon elementary school teacher Chad Soon’s desire to have Vernon hockey player Larry Kwong’s story reach out to new audiences is working. Soon’s article, The Legend of Larry Kwong and his Legions, won the B.C. Historical Federation’s Anne and Philip Yandle Best Article Award. It’s the story about Kwong becoming the first Chinese-Canadian player in the NHL. The story profiles Kwong, who grew up in Vernon, where he played minor hockey. He went on to senior hockey

in Trail, Nanaimo, and Vancouver, among other places. He played a single shift for the New York Rangers in 1948, at the fabled Forum in Montreal against the Canadiens, then continued his playing and coaching career in Quebec, the U.S., and Europe. One judge called Soon’s story: “Highly engaging and accessible. This article excels in storytelling and narrative cohesion, making it a compelling read for a broad audience. It successfully recovers an important but under-represented figure in Canadian sport history.” Another called it: “Well-researched and

well-written about a true Canadian original.” “I’m such a fan of British Columbia History magazine, so I was thrilled to be able to contribute an article,” Soon said. “Each issue is a treasure trove of B.C. stories, full of fascinating facts and thought-provoking perspectives. The publication team deserves a ton of credit.” Soon’s article can be found here. Soon teaches at Mission Hill Elementary, and serves on the board of the BC Historical Federation and the Okanagan Historical Society (Vernon branch). He is also the

author of The Longest Shot: How Larry Kwong Changed the Face of Hockey, published in 2024. The award was announced Saturday during the BCHF’s awards gala in Vancouver and comes with $250 and a certificate. Honourable mentions were also presented to A Case History of Bringing Back a Species on the Verge of Extinction, by the Okanagan Nation Alliance; and Shipbuilding in the West Kootenay and Okanagan: A Historical Overview, by Michael A. Cone. Philip Yandle was the founder, editor, publisher, printer, binder, and distributor

of the BC Historical News (now BC History) from 1968 to 1977. His wife Anne Yandle was also very active in the BC Historical News for almost 40 years and served as its book reviews editor. In 2007, the BCHF renamed its Best Article Award Award in honor of the Yandles. In his life, said Soon, Kwong made many friends, breaking barriers and stereotypes across North America and Europe with his winning smile. With all the noise today about division, it was heartening for Soon

to hear that the story of a Chinese Canadian is connecting with American kids in the Mount Rushmore State. The South Dakota Library Association selected The Longest Shot for it’s statewide student reading program, and Grade 4 and 5 students voted Kwong’s story the South Dakota Children’s Book winner. “Deep thanks to the South Dakota Library Association for selecting The Longest Shot and to the fourth and fifth graders who voted Larry’s story the winner,” said Soon. “I can see Larry’s smile now!” The Longest

Shot: How Larry Kwong Changed the Face of Hockey was shortlisted for Canadian and provincial book honours in 2025, and was the winner of the Chinese Canadian Historical Society of B.C.’s Dr. Edgar Wickberg Prize for the best book on Chinese Canadian history.

Chad Soon, Larry Kwong, Vernon hockey, NHL first Chinese-Canadian, B.C. Historical Federation, Anne and Philip Yandle Best Article Award, BC History, Mission Hill Elementary, The Longest Shot, South Dakota Library Association