Speed Skating Canada – Toronto, June 9, 2017 – Speed Skating Canada is pleased to announce its 2017 annual award winners which were unveiled Friday, June 9, at its Awards Reception held in Toronto, Ontario, during its Annual General Meeting.

The recipients were elected based on nominations put forth by Speed Skating Canada’s members and committees. 

Among them, two-time Olympic medalist, including gold in the 1000m in Vancouver, Christine Nesbitt from London, ON, was inducted into Speed Skating Canada’s Hall of Fame.

Speed Skating Canada’s Hall of Fame
Christine Nesbitt (London, ON) – Athlete

Athletes of the Year – Long Track
Jeremy Wotherspoon Male Athlete of the Year Award
Vincent De Haître (Cumberland, ON)

Catriona Le May Doan Female Athlete of the Year Award
Ivanie Blondin (Ottawa, ON)

Rising Star Athlete of the Year Award 
Tyson Langelaar (Winnipeg, MB)

Athletes of the Year – Short Track
Marc Gagnon Male Athlete of the Year Award
Samuel Girard (Ferland-et-Boilleau, QC)

Female Athlete of the Year
Marianne St-Gelais (Saint-Félicien, QC)

Guy Daignault Rising Star Athlete of the Year Award
Pascal Dion (Montréal, Rivière-des-Prairies – Pointe-aux-Trembles borough, QC)

Coach of the Year Award
Bart Schouten (Calgary, AB)
(Presented to a coach who has demonstrated meaningful, long term involvement with a club, regional, branch, or national association as a coach as evidenced by the achievements outlined in the nomination form.)

Honour Roll

Marianne St-Gelais (Saint-Félicien, QC)
2016-2017 500m Overall World Cup Champion

Vincent De Haître (Cumberland, ON), Laurent Dubreuil (Lévis, QC), Christopher Fiola (Montréal, Mercier-Hochelaga-Maisonneuve borough, QC), Olivier Jean (Lachenaie, QC)
2016-2017 Team Sprint Overall World Cup Champion

(Presented to any speed skater or speed skating team who wins a gold, silver or bronze medal at a Winter Olympic Games, wins a senior or junior world championship title, wins an overall World Cup title, or holds an officially recognized Olympic, senior or junior world record; such athlete will automatically be recorded on the honour roll of the Speed Skating Canada Hall of Fame. The same person or team can be recorded several times for different achievements.)

John Hurdis Outstanding Volunteer Award
André Beaulieu (Repentigny, QC)
(Presented to a Speed Skating Canada member(s) whose outstanding service as a volunteer has resulted in a significant contribution to the advancement of speed skating at the national and/or international level.)

Jean R. Dupré Administrator of the Year Award
John Maurice (Iqaluit, NU)
(Presented to an administrator who has made an outstanding contribution to the sport of speed skating in Canada.)

Jean Grenier Award
Nathalie Lambert (Montreal, QC)
(Presented to an outstanding volunteer who has contributed to the betterment of our sport.)

René Marleau Official of the Year Award 
Carmen Cameron (Quebec City, QC)
(Presented to any Speed Skating Canada official who has demonstrated meaningful, long term involvement with a club, region, branch, or the national association.)

Guy-Marcoux Officials Mentor Award 
Dave Thomson (Calgary, AB)
(Presented to an individual who has made contributions to the sport of speed skating in the development of officials, and who demonstrates excellence in mentoring, has been outstanding in supporting, encouraging, and promoting the professional and personal development of speed skating officials.)

Gagné Family Award
Morrison Family (Fort St. John, B.C.)
(Dennis, Carol, Julie, Jay and Denny)

(Presented to a family who has made an outstanding contribution to the development of the sport of speed skating in Canada.)

Coaches Award of Excellence
Anne-Christine Cloutier (Amqui, QC)
(Presented to a coach who have made contributions to the sport of speed skating in the role of a coach. The award is not given based on the achievement of athletes, but on the demonstrated ability to assist in the development of athletes and the sport, including grassroots to high performance coaches.)

Officials Award of Excellence
Richard Thériault (Rivière-du-Loup, QC)

(Presented to an individual who has made contributions to the sport of speed skating in the role of an official. The award is given based on the demonstrated ability to assist in the development of officials in the sport, including grassroots to high performance officials.)

Peter Williamson Memorial Trust Fund Bursaries
Pascal Dion (Montréal, Rivière-des-Prairies – Pointe-aux-Trembles borough, QC)

Alexandre St-Jean (Quebec City, QC)
(Bursaries given to athletes who best combine athletic and scholastic achievement; have the ability to communicate well with coaches and fellow skaters; and show elements of leadership and are positive role models for other athletes.)

Canadian Championships Shields 
Doreen Ryan Shields: Long Track
Québec

Pat Underhill Shield: Short Track
Québec

(Presented to the best provincial/territorial teams in long track and short track speed skating, combining all the Canadian championships.)

Additional details regarding Speed Skating Canada’s Awards are available at www.speedskating.ca.

About Speed Skating Canada
Speed Skating Canada (SSC) is the governing body for competitive long track and short track speed skating in Canada. Founded in 1887, the association is comprised of 13 provincial and territorial branches representing more than 14,000 individual members, and counting. SSC believes that sport is an apprenticeship for life and prizes respect for others, integrity, excellence of effort, as well as a safe, healthy environment. SSC recognizes and values its outstanding volunteers who give freely of their time and expertise. It also celebrates the 63 Olympic medals won by Canadian athletes since 1932, as well as the coaches, officials and other dedicated individuals who helped them on their journey.

SSC is proud to be affiliated with partners that share the same vision and values including our premium sponsors Intact Insurance, as well as our funding partners, the Government of Canada, Own the Podium, City of Montreal, Calgary Olympic Oval and WinSport Canada.

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For information:
Patrick Godbout
Communications & Media Relations Manager
Speed Skating Canada
Email: pgodbout@speedskating.ca  
Phone: 514 213-9897
Website: www.speedskating.ca   
Facebook: www.facebook.com/SSC.PVC  
Twitter: www.twitter.com/SSC_PVC

Kerry Dankers
Long Track Program and Communications Coordinator
Speed Skating Canada
Email: kdankers@speedskating.ca
Phone: 403-589-8960
Website: www.speedskating.ca   
Facebook: www.facebook.com/SSC.PVC  
Twitter: www.twitter.com/SSC_PVC