Charlottetown, PE – February 7th, 2018 will be another special night in Island sport as Sport PEI prepares to host its 44th annual awards night at Holland College’s Florence Simmons Performance Hall.  The evening will showcase the Island’s finest amateur sporting accomplishments from 2017.

Leading the field of athletes will be the nominees for the 3 Points Aviation Senior Athletes of the Year, including male finalists Mark Arendz (para nordic & biathlon), Billy Bridges (sledge hockey), and Brett Gallant (curling).  On the female side,  Veronica Keefe (wrestling), Shannon MacAulay (hockey), and Bailey Smith (athletics) will look to take top spot.

Winners have been determined in the following categories: ADL Administrator of the Year – Brenda Millar (volleyball) PEI Mutual Insurance Official of the Year – Farida Chishti (table tennis) ADL Masters Athlete Award – Cory Jay (cycling) SCORE! Team of the Year – Holland Hurricanes Men’s Soccer

After last years’ success the event will return to Holland College’s Florence Simmons Performance Hall, and familiar faces of Matt Rainnie of CBC and Jo-Anne Holden will be back to emcee the proceedings.  

“Recognizing our Island’s finest athletes, officials, coaches, and volunteers is an important part of amateur sport,” said Sport PEI President, Ryan Innis. “They have all worked tirelessly on and off the field, and deserve every bit of distinction they are going to receive.  As PEI’s level of athletes continues to improve, we are not only showing the nation our strength, but now the world is getting a taste of what we are capable of.”

Tickets are $25 and are available by calling Sport PEI at (902) 368-4110.

The full list of athlete finalists is as follows: PEI Mutual Insurance Coach of the Year – Peter Gallant (curling), Eddie MacDonald (rugby) and Joe Ryan (volleyball) 

Synergy Fitness & Nutrition Intercollegiate Male Athlete of the Year – Stephen Anderson (UNB hockey), Ibrahima Sanoh (Holland Hurricanes soccer) and John Patrick Stevenson (Canisius College baseball) 

Synergy Fitness & Nutrition Intercollegiate Female Athlete of the Year – Jenna Mae Ellsworth (UPEI basketball) Abbey MacLellan (UBC field hockey), and Hannah Taylor (Brock wrestling)

DP Murphy Hotels and Resorts Junior Male Athlete of the Year –  André Boudreau (biathlon/cycling), Noah Dobson (hockey), and Ligrit Sadiku (wrestling) 

DP Murphy Hotels and Resorts Junior Female Athlete of the Year – Emma Jinks (squash), Alexa McQuaid (swimming), and Hannah Taylor (wrestling)

3 Points Aviation Senior Male Athlete of the Year – Mark Arendz (para nordic & biathlon), Billy Bridges (sledge hockey), and Brett Gallant (curling).  

3 Points Aviation Senior Female Athlete of the Year – Veronica Keefe (wrestling),  Shannon MacAulay (hockey), and Bailey Smith (athletics)