The Alberta provincial courthouse in Lloydminster, where former Lloydminster Minor Hockey Association executive Aaron Troy Foster was sentenced Oct. 15 to two years in a federal penitentiary for defrauding the non-profit of more than $273,000. (Kenneth Cheung/battlefordsNOW)

By Kenneth Cheung

EMBEZZLEMENT

‘This breach of trust is shocking’: former Lloyd hockey exec gets 2 years for stealing over $273K

Oct 15, 2025 | 4:45 PM

A former executive of the Lloydminster Minor Hockey Association (LMHA) was sentenced Wednesday to two years in a federal penitentiary for defrauding the non-profit of more than $273,000 over five years.

Aaron Troy Foster, 41, appeared in Lloydminster’s provincial court Oct. 15 for sentencing after earlier pleading guilty to one count each of fraud over $5,000 and theft over $5,000.

Judge Clifton Purvis called the offence “shocking,” describing it as a breach of trust against a community-run youth sports organization built entirely on volunteers.

Court heard Foster served on the association’s executive from 2017 to 2024 and managed its finances. Between Oct. 16, 2019, and Sept. 27, 2024, he created 45 fake invoices worth $141,140.24 through three shell companies — Buzz Off Solutions, 238 Hockey and Heads Up Hockey — none of which had legitimate dealings with the association.

An agreed statement of facts described a second scheme between December 2021 and February 2024, when Foster diverted an additional $132,000 from tournament entry fees, team-uniform payments and charity golf fundraisers. On 80 occasions, he deposited e-transfers meant for the association into his own accounts.

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The total loss was $273,140.24.

Purvis said the fraud struck at the heart of a volunteer organization that supports roughly 1,200 young players. Reading from one victim-impact statement, he said, “This is not just about stolen money – it’s about stolen trust, stolen integrity and stolen confidence in a beloved organization. The effect of this crime will be felt for years to come.”

Calling the crime highly sophisticated and prolonged, Purvis added, “The irony couldn’t be greater … Mr. Foster had kids in this organization. He’s stealing from his own kids.”

The judge said that without Foster’s guilty plea and full restitution, he would have imposed a four- to five-year penitentiary term instead of two.

Foster repaid the entire amount before sentencing by selling his family home- leaving his wife and three children to move in with relatives.

Crown prosecutor Jordan Kerr sought a two-year sentence, arguing restitution should not “radically reduce” punishment. Defence lawyer Dan Chivers asked for one year, citing Foster’s clean record, remorse and complete repayment.

In a tearful statement, Foster apologized to the association and the wider community.

“Truly sorry, I am, for the harm I caused, the trust I broke and the pain I brought upon my family and community. I accept responsibility for my actions and the consequences,” he said.

“I will spend the rest of my life trying to make this right and be a better person.”

Purvis declined to impose probation or a victim-fine surcharge and ordered that seized exhibits be returned or forfeited if unclaimed. All remaining counts were withdrawn.

He said the sentence should serve as a deterrent.

“This breach of trust is shocking and a strong message needs to be sent to others in trust positions not to abuse their trust and steal.”

A representative of the LMHA declined battlefordsNOW’s request for comment but said a public response is expected to be posted in the near future.

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Kenneth.Cheung@pattisonmedia.com