|
March 1, 2007
GN006
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
TORONTO, March 1, 2007 — 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 fourth annual RBC Local
Hockey Leaders program.
Each winner will receive $10,000 to put towards grassroots hockey 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 2006/2007 RBC Local Hockey Leaders.
“Canadians have a tremendous passion for hockey, and this passion was reflected in the more than 1,000
submissions we received for this year’s RBC Local Hockey Leaders program,” said Neil Skelding, President and
CEO, RBC Insurance. “RBC Insurance is very proud to help the most deserving of these hockey volunteers take
their rightful place in the Hockey Hall of Fame.”
2007 Regional RBC Local Hockey Leaders:
Region RBC Local Hockey Leader Community
Hockey North - Dale Smith - Cambridge Bay, NU
British Columbia - Gary Edwards - Cecil Lake, BC
Alberta - Brian Ennis - Red Deer, AB
Saskatchewan - Johnny Ford - Gray, SK
Manitoba - Henry Kazina - Tyndall, MB
Ontario - Murray Howard - London, ON
Northwestern Ontario - Dan Reynard - Kenora, ON
Ottawa District - Raymond & Cheryl - Graham Ottawa, ON
Quebec - Robert Nutbrown - Canton d’Ascot, QC
New Brunswick - Gary Brooks - Fredericton Junction,NB
Nova Scotia - John Murphy - Yarmouth, NS
Prince Edward Island - Terri MacDonald - Central Bedeque, PEI
Newfoundland & Labrador - Joseph Lane - Port Aux Basques, NFLD
A panel of experts including Hockey Hall of Fame Director of Public Affairs Ron Ellis, Chair of the Board
for Hockey Canada René Marcil, and 2006 Olympic gold medalists Jennifer Botterill (Women’s Ice Hockey) and
Jean Labonté (Men’s Sledge Hockey) selected the winners based on guidelines that include dedication,
leadership, commitment and impact on hockey and hockey players in their community.
“If you visit any arena in Canada, chances are you will hear people talking about the RBC Local Hockey
Leaders program and about a volunteer in their community who is a perfect candidate for recognition,” said
Bob Nicholson, President, Hockey Canada. “This program resonates across the country, because every Canadian
community has individuals that organize, administer, fundraise, coach and do whatever it takes to keep hockey
vibrant in their communities. We appreciate RBC’s continued leadership in recognizing these volunteers.”
RBC initiated the RBC Local Hockey Leaders program in 2003 to recognize individuals who dedicate their
time to hockey at the community level. The program has donated more than $450,000 to grassroots hockey
initiatives across Canada, including the $130,000 donated on behalf of the 2006/2007 RBC Local Hockey
Leaders.
For more information and biographies on all of the RBC Local Hockey Leaders, please visit www.rbclocalhockeyleaders.com.
About RBC Insurance
RBC Insurance provides a wide range of creditor, life, health, travel, home, auto and reinsurance products
and services to more than five million clients in Canada, the U.S. and internationally. These products and
services are offered through a wide variety of distribution channels, including the telephone, independent
brokers, travel agents, a proprietary sales force and the Internet. More information is available at www.rbcinsurance.com.
|
