Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My kudos today are for a constituent of Fort Simpson. The Royal Bank of Canada has a very prestigious recognition called the Local Hockey Leaders Award. They choose 14 winners from across Canada annually. We know that it takes a lot of time and energy of volunteers to keep our national game of hockey going. We need to recognize all the work that organizers, coaches and parents give to this great sport.
This spring my hometown of Fort Simpson nominated Mr. Owen Rowe for the award and threw their full support behind him for his efforts and dedication to hockey as a coach, player, volunteer and parent.
I was very pleased to receive the news that the Royal Bank of Canada did select Mr. Owen Rowe for the Local Hockey Leaders Award for our region. Owen Rowe was recognized formally by being flown to Toronto for a special ceremony. He received his award, a signed Team Canada Jersey and $10,000 towards a registered hockey cause in Fort Simpson.
Also, he and the other winners are recognized in a permanent display at the Hockey Hall of Fame and there will be a banner recognizing his achievement in the Fort Simpson Arena.
Owen Rowe has been coaching minor hockey for the past 15 years. He also started and coached the Fort Simpson Women’s Hockey League, the Moosehide Mamas. He has been a player/coach on the senior men’s league and has taken many young men of Fort Simpson to compete in tournaments. The Fort Simpson Flyers are always the team to beat no matter where they go.
The people of Fort Simpson are proud of their players and the successes of our hockey teams. This is due in large part to the efforts of Mr. Owen Rowe. So you see how he has helped hockey on so many levels. He is definitely a local hockey leader. He has volunteered, raised funds, donated funds, coached and played, all for the love of hockey.
On behalf of my constituents and the community of Fort Simpson, I would like to congratulate Mr. Owen Rowe for this much deserved hockey leader award.
Thank you, Mr. Menicoche. The honourable Member for Nunakput, Mr. Jacobson.
