Ian Kennedy discusses Dean Smith winning the Willie O'Ree Community Hero Award, Team USA winning the World Para Hockey Championship, and Geraldine Heaney returning to the Toronto Six.
Growing the Game is Ian Kennedy’s weekly feature examining the global game, how social issues impact the sport, and how hockey’s important cultural shift continues to evolve.
Dean Smith Wins Willie O’Ree Community Hero Award
Halifax, Nova Scotia’s Dean Smith was named the winner of the Willie O’Ree Community Hero Award, which recognizes a Canadian who impacted their community, culture, and society through hockey.
“Dean gives back to Halifax, Nova Scotia in so many different ways to grow the game, and the work he has done with Hockey Nova Scotia over the years has been incredible to positively impact families,” stated Willie O’Ree, a Carnegie Initiative board member.
“Dean constantly works to create a friendly and safe space for everyone to enjoy the great sport of hockey and he truly showcases what this award is all about. Congratulations to Dean on this very well-deserved honor.”
Smith was the chair of Hockey Nova Scotia’s diversity and inclusion task force and is the secretary for the Black Ice Hockey and Sports Hall of Fame Society.
Smith, a lawyer, served as chair of Hockey Nova Scotia’s Diversity and Inclusion Task Force and currently is a member of the board of directors as their chair of diversity and inclusion. He is also the secretary to the Black Ice Hockey and Sports Hall of Fame Society.
The American winner will be announced at the NHL Award Ceremony on June 26.
USA Golden at World Para Ice Hockey Championships
Team USA went undefeated in Moose Jaw, Sask., to win gold at the World Para Ice Hockey Championships. Facing Canada in the gold medal game, the USA put in a dominant performance, winning 6-1 to take gold.
Declan Farmer, considered one of the best players in the world, paced the Americans by scoring two goals, including what would eventually stand as the game-winner, a shorthanded marker late in the first period. Farmer finished second in tournament scoring with 12 points in five games.
The event marked the first time Canada hosted the World Para Ice Hockey Championship.
Hall of Famer Geraldine Heaney Back with the Six
Hockey Hall of Fame member and longtime Team Canada star Geraldine Heaney will return to the PHF’s Toronto Six for a second season behind the bench as the coach.
Heaney led the Toronto Six to their first-ever Isobel Cup as PHF champions. It was the first time a Canadian champion has ever won the Isobel Cup.
“It was a great group last year, and we were very successful,” said Heaney. “It was my first year coaching professional women’s hockey in the PHF, and I had a blast. It was a lot of fun. I learnt a lot, and I just want to see what we can do again next year. Repeating is obviously one of the hardest things to ever do in sport, so that’s a challenge, and I’m always up for a good challenge.”
The Toronto Six are run by multiple Canadian national team legends, including GM Angela James and team president Sami Jo Small.