QMJHL STAR SIDNEY CROSBY (NOVA SCOTIA) AND NICOLE HEKLE (MANITOBA) RECIPIENTS OF PRESTIGIOUS CANADA GAMES AWARD

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Ottawa, ON – Sidney Crosby and Nicole Hekle are this year’s recipients of the prestigious Roland Michener Canada Games Awards. The bursaries and medals are to be presented to the winners at the 31st Annual Canadian Sport Awards by Mr. Larry Smith, Chairman of the Board of the Canada Games Council. The Canadian Sport Awards are to be held on Tuesday, March 23 in Toronto.

The Roland Michener Canada Games Award is presented every two years to Canada Games athletes who exemplify strong leadership skills on and off the playing field combined with an ongoing commitment to scholastic and athletic excellence.

Sidney Crosby, one of the hottest prospects since Mario Lemieux, did not disappoint at the 2003 Canada Winter Games leading the tournament in goals scored and points. Haling from Cole Harbour, Nova Scotia, Sidney led team Nova Scotia to their best finish since the 1979 Canada Winter Games. Sidney is an honor student in grade 11 at Harrison Trimbele High School. He is currently playing for the Rimouski Oceanic in the QMJHL and is leading the league in points.

“It was an unbelievable experience to be able to represent your province and to compete against the best athletes in the country,” stated Sidney.

Nicole Hekle, a Team Manitoba athlete at the 2003 Canada Winter Games, led the tournament in scoring and helped her team win a silver medal in ringette. Nicole was the captain of her team as well as Team Manitoba’s flag bearer at the Opening Ceremonies of the Games. She is currently studying business at the University of New Hampshire on a full hockey scholarship.

“I often look back at my Canada Winter Games experience and realize what an incredible opportunity it was for me as an athlete,” said Nicole. “I remind myself of the tremendous pride I felt in being a member of Team Manitoba and representing my sport at the Games. I am honored to have been selected as a recipient of the 2003 Roland Michener Canada Games Award”

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Canada Games Council/Conseil des Jeux du Canada
TEL: (613) 526-2320 FAX: (613) 526-4068
web: www.canadagames.ca
email/courriel: [email protected]

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“Roland Michener was a great motivator of Canadian youth and he encouraged them to be part of Canada’s great future by achieving their full potential,” states Mr. Larry Smith. “Sidney and Nicole are two extraordinary athletes who exemplify the meaning of this award. The Canada Games Council is very proud to recognize them on the evening when Canada’s sport heroes are being celebrated. There is no doubt in my mind that we will be hearing a lot more about Sidney and Nicole in the very near future.”

Held every two years, alternating between winter and summer, the Canada Games are Canada’s premiere multi-sport event, drawing some of the best young athletes from every province and territory. The next Canada Summer Games will be held from August 5th through 20th, 2005 in Regina, Saskatchewan. The 2007 Canada Winter Games will be hosted in Whitehorse, Yukon.

The Canada Games are made possible through the cooperation and support of the Canadian and provincial/territorial governments, the host municipalities and the Canada Games Council. For more on the Canada Games visit www.canadagames.ca.

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For more information please contact:

Eric Chene
Sport Technical Coordinator
Canada Games Council
(613) 526-2320
[email protected]