|
January 27, 2009
NR.016
CALGARY, AB – Hockey Canada has announced the 13 minor hockey teams that have been chosen as the
beneficiaries of this year’s ‘Future Team Canada’ program. In December, Hockey Canada partnered with the
Wayne Gretzky Foundation and the Hockey Canada Foundation to launch the fifth year of the ‘Future Team
Canada’ program that rewards and recognizes minor hockey teams across the nation for the amount of heart they
show rather than the amount of games they win.
Entries consisted of a team roster and a short essay outlining their team’s values, special
characteristics, community involvement and dedication that could make them a ‘Future Team Canada’.
Every player on each of the 13 teams will receive a Team Canada jersey, stick and a hockey bag bearing the
Wayne Gretzky Foundation and Hockey Canada logos. Along with this comprehensive equipment package, each team
will also receive a $1,999 cash award to be used for team development activities, and a coaching package
consisting of development materials, a Hockey Canada Coaches’ Club membership and equipment.
|
Branch
|
Team
|
City
|
|
Branche
|
Équipe
|
Ville
|
|
BC Hockey
|
Powell River Kings Bantam
|
Powell River, BC
|
|
BC Hockey
|
Vancouver Thunderbirds Atom
|
Vancouver, BC
|
|
Hockey Alberta
|
Leduc Roughnecks Novice
|
Leduc, AB
|
|
Hockey Manitoba
|
Greendell Falcons Peewee
|
Winnipeg, MB
|
|
Hockey New Brunswick
|
Eel River Bar Hawks Midget
|
Eel River, NB
|
|
Hockey New Brunswick
|
Moncton Redhawks Atom
|
Moncton, NB
|
|
Hockey Newfoundland & Labrador
|
Bar Arena Rovers Atom
|
Bay Roberts, NL
|
|
Hockey Northwestern Ontario
|
Elks Slovak Legion Novice
|
Thunder Bay, ON
|
|
Hockey Nova Scotia
|
Metro Boston Pizza Midget
|
Halifax, NS
|
|
Hockey PEI
|
North River Girls Bantam
|
Charlottetown, PE
|
|
Ontario Hockey Federation
|
Humber Valley Sharks Peewee
|
Toronto, ON
|
|
Ottawa District Hockey Association
|
Kanata Cyclones Peewee
|
Kanata, ON
|
|
Saskatchewan Hockey Association
|
Gravelbourg Stars Peewee
|
Gravelbourg, SK
|
“Although all 13 teams are to be commended for being selected, each and every team entry merits
recognition and they should all be considered champions,” said Wayne Gretzky. “The success of this program
was evident by the excellent quality of the essays received and the difficulty in selecting the 13 teams that
will benefit from this unique initiative. When all was said and done, the thirteen teams that were chosen are
deserving of the title ‘Future Team Canada’ for their dedication and commitment to the true spirit of our
game.”
The Wayne Gretzky Foundation believes that hockey instills many positive life skills and contributes to
the physical, emotional and social growth of young people. Canada’s national teams share and promote these
positive life skills in the work they do with young Canadians.
“Once again we are very pleased to have been part of this exceptional program which recognizes another 13
very worthy youth hockey teams from across the country. During the last five years, over 1,000 deserving
young Canadians have participated in this remarkable program,” said Noel Fader, director of fund development
for Hockey Canada. “Those selected as the program beneficiaries are truly representative of the Hockey Canada
Foundation’s shared values and our mission to support the Hockey Canada dream by promoting passion,
participation, and excellence in our game.
The outcomes of the ‘Future Team Canada’ recognition program and the principles championed by the Wayne
Gretzky Foundation, the Hockey Canada Foundation, and Hockey Canada demonstrate a shared vision for the
future of our game.
|
