RBC Insurance, with support from Hockey Canada and the Hockey Hall of Fame, today recognized Canada’s most dedicated hockey volunteers as part of the third annual RBC Local Hockey Leaders program.
Thirteen RBC Local Hockey Leaders – one from each regional Hockey Canada branch – will be recognized in a special display at the Hockey Hall of Fame. Each winner will receive $10,000 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.
“RBC Insurance is very proud to reward Canada’s ‘behind-the-scenes’ hockey volunteers,” said Neil Skelding, President and CEO, RBC Insurance. “The efforts of these selfless individuals often go unnoticed and seldom result in trophies or awards, so we are proud to turn the spotlight on their efforts through the RBC Local Hockey Leaders program. Hockey is an important part of Canadian communities, and volunteers are the ones who keep it going.”
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 2002 Olympic gold medalists Ryan Smyth and Kelly Béchard select the winners based on guidelines that include dedication, leadership, commitment and impact on hockey and hockey players in their community.
“Each fall we team up with RBC Insurance and the Hockey Hall of Fame to search Canadian communities for those tireless hockey volunteers who go beyond the normal call of duty and inspire others,” said Bob Nicholson, President, Hockey Canada. “This year we received more than 1,000 outstanding nominations for leaders that organize, administer, fundraise, coach and do whatever it takes to keep hockey vibrant in their communities.”
RBC initiated the RBC Local Hockey Leaders program in 2003-2004 to recognize individuals who dedicate their time to hockey at the community level. To date, the program has donated more than $300,000 to grassroots hockey initiatives across Canada.
“We applaud RBC Insurance for investing in Canadian communities through the RBC Local Hockey Leaders program,” added Nicholson.
For more information and biographies on all of the RBC Local Hockey Leaders, please visit www.rbcinsurance.com.
2006 Regional RBC Local Hockey Leaders:
Region | RBC Local Hockey Leader | Community |
Région | Chef de hockey RBC | Communauté |
Hockey North | Gregory Rowe | Hay River, NT |
British Columbia | Vince Harriott, | North Vancouver, BC |
Alberta | Randy Bouvier | Edmonton, AB |
Saskatchewan | Dennis Todd | Regina, SK |
Manitoba | Eileen Swerdyliak | Ritchot, MB |
Ontario | Tom Fairbairn | Stratford, ON |
Northwestern Ontario | Irwin Nicol | Nipigon, ON |
Ottawa District | Marion Budarick | Amherstview, ON |
Quebec | Ghislain Dumais | Montreal, QC |
New Brunswick | Dave Wheaton | Sackville, NB |
Nova Scotia | Sherry Ritcey | Lunenburg, NS |
Prince Edward Island | Cedric Gallant | Wellington Station, PEI |
Newfoundland & Labrador | Eric Clarke | Blaketown, NFLD |
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.
For further information, please contact:
Brian Findlay or Bob Stellick, 416-603-9452
Jackie Braden, Media Relations, RBC Financial Group, 416-974-2124
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