Sport Manitoba – April 22, 2017 (Winnipeg, MB) – Each year, Sport Manitoba’s annual Night of Champions presented by Manitoba Chicken Producers celebrates sports excellence in Manitoba, and there was plenty to celebrate on Saturday night as athletes, coaches, officials, and volunteers were recognized for their remarkable achievements in sport in our province.

Quotes

“Sport Manitoba is tremendously proud of the accomplishments tonight’s nominees, inductees and winners. We are proud to host an event that recognizes, inspires and celebrates sport excellence in our province.”
Laurel Read, Interim CEO of Sport Manitoba

“Congratulations to all the nominees and recipients.  They’re proof that dedication and hard work leads to success.  As chicken farmers. Whether in sport or on the farm, we’re all striving for excellence.” 
Stuart Nikkel, chair of Manitoba Chicken Producers

“Members of the Manitoba sports media, as they have more than 60 years, are again pleased to play a role in selecting and honouring Manitoba’s top athletes and teams in 2016. Congratulations to all the winners and finalists for your noteworthy achievements in the past year.”
Terry Frey, President, Manitoba Sportswriters and Sportscasters Association

Award Recipients

Sport award recipients announced on April 22, 2017 at the Club Regent Event Centre included

Sport Manitoba Awards

Manitoba Chicken Junior Female Athlete of the Year
EMMA GRAY, rowing

Manitoba Chicken Junior Male Athlete of the Year
NOLAN PATRICK, hockey

Calm Air Junior Team of the Year
BRANDON WHEAT KINGS, hockey

IMPACT Female Coach of the Year presented by Manitoba Liquor & Lotteries
LORIE HENDERSON, gymnastics

IMPACT Male Coach of the Year presented by Manitoba Liquor & Lotteries
MING PU WU, athletics

OPIN Official of the Year
KELLY MAHONEY, triathlon

Great-West Life Outstanding Volunteer
GEORGE McLEOD, golf

Manitoba Sportswriters and Sportscasters Association Awards 

The Nott Autocorp Male Athlete of the Year – Open Category
DAVID ONYEMATA, football

The Labatt Female Athlete of the Year – Open Category
CHANTAL VAN LANDEGHEM, swimming

The Maurice Smith Memorial Award – The Winnipeg Free Press Team of the Year – Open Category
WINNIPEG GOLDEYES, baseball

Cactus Jack Wells Impact Award
2016 NHL Heritage Classic

Manitoba Sports Hall of Fame Inductions

The Night of Champions also featured special veteran inductions into the Manitoba Sports Hall of Fame. Bruce M. Hudson was inducted posthumously in the Athlete category for his careers in curling and baseball. The 1954 & ’55 Manitoba All-Stars were inducted in the Team category for lacrosse.

Manitoba Aboriginal Sports and Recreation Council

The Manitoba Aboriginal Sports and Recreation Council also recognized their athletes and volunteers of the year at the event:

Manitoba Aboriginal Female Athlete of the Year 
AIYANA HART, multi-sport

Manitoba Aboriginal Male Athlete of the Year
LINDEN McCORRISTER, hockey

Manitoba Aboriginal Female Volunteer of the Year
CELICIA AMOS

Manitoba Aboriginal Male Volunteer of the Year
JAIME LEE MOUSSEAU
 

About

Sport Manitoba is a not for profit organization and the lead planning, programming and funding agency for the development of amateur sport in Manitoba. Located in the Canada Games Sport for Life Centre, Sport Manitoba partners with over 100 organizations to deliver sport in our province and is responsible for programs including the Power Smart Manitoba Games, Coaching Manitoba, Team Manitoba, Manitoba Sports Hall of Fame, Fit Kids Healthy Kids, and KidSport. Services provided include the Sport Medicine Clinic, Performance Centre, Fitness Centre and Sport Resource Centre. 
 
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Link to nominee bios
 
For live streaming, event photos and as it happens announcements please check out our social media channels:
Twitter (as it happens & livestream)  
Facebook (photo album following event)
Instagram (stories)

For more information please contact:

Tara Skibo
Communications/Public Relations Officer
Sport Manitoba
cell: 204-781-1438
tara.skibo@sportmanitoba.ca