'Execution-style murder': Killer of 19-year-old Calgary hockey coach sentenced to life in jail
A Calgary judge has sentenced a young man who shot and killed another man to life in prison with no chance of parole for 12 years.
In February, Hunter Van Mackelberg was convicted of second-degree murder for killing Kalix Langenau, when both men were just 19 years old.
The court heard Van Mackelberg fired a shotgun at the back of the victim's head at close range in the early morning hours of Feb. 15, 2020, at a rural property near Balzac.
Justice Glen Poelman told the court that "it was an execution-style murder" and Van Mackelberg "displayed a callous disregard" for Langenau.
He and Langenau were at odds over girls they were in relationships with, the court heard, and the killing was the result of years of tension between the two men.
Van Mackelberg, now 21, did not speak at his sentencing hearing.
BELOVED HOCKEY COACH
Several family members and friends read tearful victim impact statements during the sentencing hearing on Thursday.
His mother Tracy Henderson said her first child was the rock of the family, and now there is a piece missing.
"He was such a great child, such a great brother, such a great son," she told reporters outside the Calgary Courts Centre.
She then added, "12 years is definitely not enough in my opinion for the young life that was taken and the lives that have been destroyed ever since then."
His father, John Langenau, told the court he was in agony, as if pieces of his heart and soul had been ripped out.
"There's no such thing as justice when someone is torn from your life, especially someone as charismatic, inspirational, funny, good-hearted, patient and as lively as Kalix is," said Langenau.
Langenau is remembered as a children's hockey coach at Explosive Edge in Airdrie with aspirations of a career in the sport, and had applied to the Southern Alberta Institute of Technology for a broadcasting program.
Many family members say they are grieving for missed future milestones, holidays and celebrations that will never be shared.
Surviving family members have set up the Coach Kalix Foundation to provide sports equipment to children.
FACTS OF THE CASE
Friends said Langenau lived in Vancouver and was visiting Calgary for the Family Day long weekend.
Langenau had a previous relationship with Madeline Kot, the girlfriend of Van Mackelberg at the time of the crime.
Hours after multiple text messages were exchanged between the victim and Kot, the killing took place in a field Van Mackelberg and friends were familiar with.
The killer phoned his father to ask what to do with the body after the murder.
Defence lawyers argued the messages shared between the victim and the killer's girlfriend was provocation and a mitigating factor, but the judge dismissed that saying it was not a crime of passion.
Crown prosecutors argued that Van Mackelberg had a known history of disorderly behaviour and disregard for the law and asked for a parole eligibility after 18 years.
Speaking with reporters on Thursday, prosecutor Ron Simenik said the judge gave sound reasons for the sentence that was handed down.
"The fact these were young men is troubling to say the least," said prosecutor James Sawa.
"The justice had to balance the obviously heinous nature of the crime with the fact there's some prospect for Mr. Van Mackelberg to be rehabilitated and that is a difficult decision that he had to make."
Sawa then added, "it's still a life sentence."
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Liberals unveil plan to make hybrid House of Commons sittings permanent
Government House Leader Mark Holland unveiled Thursday the federal Liberals’ plans to make hybrid sittings in House of Commons a permanent feature.

4 very young children critically wounded in knife attack in French Alpine town
As bystanders screamed for help, a man with a knife stabbed four young children at a lakeside park in the French Alps on Thursday, assaulting at least one in a stroller repeatedly. The children between 22 months and 3 years old suffered life-threatening injuries, and two adults also were wounded, authorities said.
'Canada dry': Climatologist Dave Phillips foresees hot, dry summer countrywide
The hot, dry conditions that are fuelling wildfires countrywide are just the beginning of what summer could look like in Canada this year, according to Environment Canada senior climatologist Dave Phillips.
Wildfire battles continue under heat, air quality alerts over most of Canada
The battle against hundreds of wildfires continues, as almost every jurisdiction in Canada remains under either heat or air quality warnings from the federal government. The day after what was supposed to be national Clean Air Day, dozens of alerts remain in place for unseasonable heat or smoky air quality.
Smoke from Canadian wildfires forecast to reach Norway
Norwegian officials said the smoke from Canadian wildfires that has enveloped parts of the U.S. and Canada in a thick haze is expected to pour into Norway on Thursday.
Trans, non-binary students under 16 in N.B. need parental consent for pronoun changes
New Brunswick students under the age of 16 who identify as trans and non-binary won't be able to officially change their names or pronouns in school without parental consent.
Shannen Doherty reveals cancer has spread to her brain
Actress Shannen Doherty is letting her social media followers in on the spread of her breast cancer.
Pat Robertson, U.S. broadcaster who helped make religion central to Republican Party politics, dies at 93
Pat Robertson, a religious broadcaster who turned a tiny Virginia station into the global Christian Broadcasting Network, tried a run for president and helped make religion central to Republican Party politics in America through his Christian Coalition, has died.
Can face masks help protect you from wildfire smoke? Health expert explains
An official recommendation to wear a mask to protect yourself from wildfire smoke is being echoed by health experts as plumes of smoke make their way across parts of Canada, causing poor air quality.