13 dedicated hockey volunteers to be recognized in the Hockey Hall of Fame and receive $10,000 each, courtesy of RBC Insurance, towards grassroots hockey in their community
March 6, 2008 — RBC Insurance, with support from Hockey Canada and the Hockey Hall of Fame, today recognized Canada’s most dedicated behind-the-scenes hockey volunteers as part of the annual RBC Local Hockey Leaders program.
Each winner will receive $10,000 towards a registered charity/hockey cause in their community and a signed Team Canada jersey. A banner recognizing the achievement will also be raised in the winner’s local arena. In addition, the 13 RBC Local Hockey Leaders – one from each regional Hockey Canada branch – will be recognized in a special permanent display at the Hockey Hall of Fame, which will be unveiled in April at a special ceremony honouring the 2007/2008 RBC Local Hockey Leaders.
“For the past five years we have been amazed at the selfless contributions hundreds of Canadians are making to support hockey in their communities,” said Neil Skelding, President and CEO, RBC Insurance. “This year is certainly no exception, and RBC Insurance is very proud to continue the tradition of recognizing the most deserving of these hockey volunteers in the Hockey Hall of Fame.”
2008 Regional
RBC Local Hockey Leaders:
Region
RBC Local Hockey Leader
Community
Hockey North
Mike Gravel
Inuvik, NT
British Columbia
Doug Bondue
Port Alice, BC
Alberta
Garry Wolosinka
Viking, AB
Saskatchewan
Robert “Sam” Somerville
Eatonia, SK
Manitoba
Laurent Kerbrat
St. Laurent, MB
Ontario
Angelo Giajnorio
Niagara Falls, ON
Northwestern Ontario
Russell Desjarlais
Kenora, ON
Ottawa District
Ron Baker
Brockville, ON
Quebec
France Bedard
Port Cartier, QC
New Brunswick
Jean Pelletier
Dalhousie, NB
Nova Scotia
Graham Parker
Middleton, NS
Prince Edward Island
June Sencabaugh
Murray River, PEI
Newfoundland & Labrador
Dave Ingram
Clarenville, NFLD
A panel including National Women’s Team member Jennifer Botterill, National Men’s Sledge Hockey Team Captain Jean Labonté, hockey legend Ron Ellis, Dr. Allan Morris, chair of the Hockey Canada Board of Directors and other Hockey Canada officials selected winners from hundreds of nominations submitted through the program website. Hard work, dependability, enthusiasm and leadership were among the criteria considered during the evaluation of submissions.
“Every Canadian community has individuals that organize, administer, fundraise, coach and do whatever it takes to keep hockey vibrant in their communities,” said Bob Nicholson, President, Hockey Canada. “We appreciate RBC’s continued leadership not only in recognizing these volunteers, but also in providing the funding to replace aging equipment, improve facilities and generally make hockey more accessible.”
In 2003, RBC initiated the RBC Local Hockey Leaders program to recognize individuals who dedicate their time to hockey at the community level. Over the past four years RBC Insurance has awarded more than $500,000 to grassroots hockey activities across Canada through the RBC Local Hockey Leaders program.
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