Anne and Philip Yandle Best Article Award 2026

A story about the first Chinese-Canadian player in the NHL has won the BC Historical Federation’s Anne and Philip Yandle Best Article Award.

“The Legend of Larry Kwong and His Legions,” by Chad Soon, appeared in the Fall 2025 issue of British Columbia History magazine. It was chosen by a panel of judges from among 25 eligible articles published in the magazine last year.

The story profiled 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, then continued his playing and coaching career in Quebec, the US, and Europe. The story is available at https://www.bchistory.ca/news/13558227.

One judge called the 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 underrepresented 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 BC stories, full of fascinating facts and thought-provoking perspectives. The publication team deserves a ton of credit. I’ll be renewing my subscription!”

Soon is a Vernon teacher who 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. Honorable 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.

One judge called the former story “An excellent survey of Okanagan Nation’s struggle to restore their salmon in the context of hydroelectric development” and another said it was “Strong in research depth and originality. Effectively integrates Indigenous knowledge with environmental history in an accessible way. Its use of diverse sources is sophisticated and well-balanced.”

Cone’s story was also praised as “Well-researched and clearly structured, demonstrating solid historical methodology and effective use of primary sources.”

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.