Special award for hockey players to honour legacies of Don Gagnon and Kyle Vanderburg

In honour of the late Don Gagnon and Kyle Vanderburg, an award of $750 will be granted each year to two local hockey players entering university or college, a news release issued today stated.

Full text of the release follows:

The families of Kyle Vanderburg and Don Gagnon are pleased to announce a new award to benefit young hockey players here in the Sault.

The two annual $750 awards in honour of Kyle and Don will be granted to two students with a passion for hockey who are entering their first year of university or college.

Don Gagnon’s involvement in the game of hockey began in 1986 and he has impacted the lives of so many children and families in the local hockey community with his skill and his devotion to the game.

Kyle Vanderburg had the honour of coaching alongside Don and was a tremendous role model to the young athletes that he coached and played with.

This award will honour Don and Kyle’s legacies and support future leaders who share the love of the game.

“We are both proud and excited to be able to offer the Don Gagnon Memorial Coaches award to a young hockey player that embodies all the skills and passion that Don possessed for the sport of hockey,” the Gagnon family says. “Having been such a prominent figure in the hockey community, this will be a great way for us to ensure that his legacy lives on and continues to help and touch the lives of young hockey players in Sault Ste. Marie.”

Highlighting the meaning this award has to Kyle’s memory, the Vanderburg family says, “Kyle loved playing hockey, after graduating with his sports management degree he started coaching with Don Gagnon. He easily made connections with young players, in his short time behind the bench he was a strong influence. This award acknowledges how important hockey was to Kyle, and his passion for the development of young players.”

Eligible applicants will have participated in a hockey league in the Algoma region and be enrolled in a recognized post-secondary institution.

For more information on award eligibility or to view the application form, please click here. Applications will be accepted until March 31 and can be submitted to [email protected].