Abbotsford, BC…The University of the Fraser Valley Student Life, Athletics and Residence life departments hosted their third annual UFV Leadership Night, on Friday, November 30th, in conjunction with the Abbotsford Heat, the American Hockey League affiliated of the Calgary Flames. The Leadership night brings together student leaders from all over the campus to attend a Heat hockey game after they meet Ryan Walter, President of the Heat and former NHL player with Washington, Montreal and Vancouver from 1978 to 1993. Ryan speaks to the student-leaders on their future as leaders in all walks of life, not just athletics and then invites the students to watch an AHL hockey game at the AESC.
This year the former 1986 Stanley Cup winner and his staff had a surprise for the student-leaders they had an opportunity to meet NHL Hockey Hall of Fame legend, Mr. Yvan Cournoyer, who played for the Montreal Canadiens from 1963 to 1979 winning 10 Stanley Cups with the Habs. In addition to meeting with Mr. Cournoyer before the game, five student-leaders including fourth year women’s soccer forward Danika Snook, Chilliwack, BC had an opportunity to meet Mr. Cournoyer between the first and second periods in an AESC box.
The hockey great signed autographs and answered any questions the five student leaders asked. “I had a great time and meeting Mr. Cournoyer was exciting,” said Snook.
“We feel extremely fortunate to have the opportunity to work with a professional organization like the Abbotsford Heat and in particular their president, Ryan Walter. For our students to interact and learn about leadership from someone who is so passionate about it like Walter is great, and to meet a hockey icon like Yvan Cournoyer is extra special. He’s a legend and we were thrilled to have the opportunity,” Said UFV Athletic Director Rocky Olfert.
Among the Cascades student-Athletes in attendance were Alexa McCarthy of the women’s basketball team, who has won UFV’s Department of Athletics Humanitarian Award the past two years for her community work. Mitch Lock, of the men’s golf team, the 2011 Cascades Male Athlete of the Year. In all there were 75 student-leaders invited and 25 members of the UFV Cascades athletic department were present.
Photo One: Mr. Cournoyer with Danika Snook, women’s soccer team
Photo Two: Mr. Cournoyer with UFV Cascades mascot Sasq ‘ets
Photo credit: Tree Frog Imaging
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