A Century of Hockey Canada wouldn’t be possible without the millions of volunteers who dedicate their time and efforts to making minor hockey a success throughout the country, and Canadian Tire in partnership with Hockey Canada is recognizing those people on a local level during the year-long cross-country tour.
On Wednesday, Trail Canadian Tire owner Craig Lattanville presented Greater Trail Minor Hockey Association treasurer Brenda Butlin with the Canadian Tire Hero of Play award at the Century of Hockey caravan at the Trail Memorial Centre.
“It’s an honour,” said Butlin. “There is a need for people to be volunteering, especially people without children in the system.”
Amidst the high-tech interactive displays, video screens, and 100 years of hockey artifacts, organizers from Hockey Canada introduced Butlin and presented her with a Hockey Canada jacket and jersey, and her name on the Hero of Play trophy.
Butlin has been involved with hockey in Trail for over 13 years as an executive member of the Rossland-Trail Minor Hockey Association (RTMHA) and the newly formed Greater Trail Minor Hockey Association (GTMHA). She volunteered through the years that her son Brandon played minor hockey and continued on after he left. Butlin helped shepherd the amalgamation of the RTMHA and Beaver Valley minor hockey into the GTMHA as treasurer and remains involved behind the scenes to ensure finances are kept under control and minor hockey remains affordable for families in Trail.
The Hero of Play honour is awarded to a volunteer in each of the 100 cities the caravan visits this year in celebration of a century of Hockey Canada.
Lattanville, a big supporter of local sport in Trail particularly the Canadian Tire Jump Start program, was proud to be a part of the award ceremony.
“I think it’s a big part of our community here in Trail and more importantly across the nation,” said Lattanville. “It’s a great accomplishment that Brenda and others have achieved for the outcome of hockey, absolutely.”
The Hockey Canada Century Tour hits the road today for Red Deer, and will wind up the year at the World Junior Hockey Championship in Toronto and Montreal Dec. 26 to Jan. 5.