The Sport PEI awards took place this evening at the Rodd Royalty. The only curling finalists this year were the Special Olympics Curling Team, nominated for SCORE Team of the Year. Those honours went instead to the UPEI Women’s Hockey Team, who won the AUS championship for the first time ever last year.
UPEI Women’s Hockey Team (photo from www.gopanthersgo.ca)
Olympian Jared Connaughton was the big winner of the night, taking home both the Bell Aliant Sr. Male Athlete of the year, and the Lieutenant Governor’s Award, which goes to the Island’s top athlete as determined by the Sport PEI Board of Directors.
Here is a complete list of tonight’s winners:
PEI Mutual Official of the Year – Marguerite Middleton (swimming)
ADL Administrator of the year – Bob Bentley (biathlon)
Premier’s Award for sport organization of the year – Ringette PEI
Intercollegiate Female Athlete of the year – Stephanie Ramsay (Calgary, hockey),
Coach of the year award -Bruce Donaldson (hockey, UPEI Women’s Panthers)
Intercollegiate Male Athlete of the year – Connor McGuire (St. FX, cross-country),
President’s Award (awarded to a long-time volunteer) Ewen Stewart (PEI Roadrunners)
Masters Athlete of the Year – Mike MacKinnon (distance running)
SCORE Team of the Year – UPEI Women’s Hockey team
Jr. Male Athlete of the Year – Carsen Campbell (biathlon),
Rodd Hotels and Resorts Jr.Female Athlete of the year – Sarah Steele (hockey)
Bell Aliant Sr. Female athlete of the year – Janet Gamble (swimming)
Bell Aliant Sr. Male Athlete of the year – Jared Connaughton (athletics)
Lieutenant Governor’s Award – Jared Connaughton (athletics)