Photo by Marcel Vander Wier
HALL OF FAMER 鈥� John Flynn, right, listens as Pat Hogan introduces him prior to his induction into the Sport Yukon Hall of Fame last night at the Westmark Hotel. Seated beside him, from right to left, are Jennifer Flynn with her grandaughter Hannah Hawkins, Melissa Hawkins, J.P. Hawkins with son Jack Hawkins, and Lisa Hutton (top). MAJOR WINNER 鈥� Yukon Olympian Zach Bell took home the International Male Athlete of the Year award.
It was an emotional night, filled with touching tributes, standing ovations and the announcement of a $500,000 legacy fund by the 2012 Arctic Winter Games Host Society.
It was an emotional night, filled with touching tributes, standing ovations and the announcement of a $500,000 legacy fund by the 2012 Arctic Winter Games Host Society.
More than 350 athletes, parents and local dignitaries packed the ballroom at the Westmark Whitehorse Hotel last night for the 37th anniversary of the Sport Yukon Awards.
Yukon-born Olympian Zach Bell and cross-country skier Emily Nishikawa took home the International Athlete of the Year awards.
Another skier, Katie Peters, was named National/Territorial Female Athlete of the Year, while shooter Nicholas Rittel won the male side.
Bell accepted his award to a standing ovation, before dedicating it back to the territory in an emotional speech.
"This isn't mine,鈥� he said of his plaque. "This is everyone's. I went to compete on behalf of all of you.鈥�
The 29-year-old cyclist previously won the award in 2010.
This summer, Bell was a medal favourite at the 2012 London Olympics in the omnium, where he finished eighth.
"In my opinion, these achievements are created by the people in this room,鈥� he told the crowd.
Later, Bell was presented with a Queen's Diamond Jubilee medal by Premier Darrell Pasloski.
Nishikawa won the international award for the second straight year, after another brilliant ski season in Canmore, Alta. Her mother, Joan Stanton, accepted the award in Nishikawa's absence.
Peters' award was also accepted by her mother, Margie Peters.
Peters' season included earning a gold ulu for Team Yukon with a spectacular win in the 10-km Classic at the Arctic Winter Games, and representing the territory at the Canadian National Championships.
Rittel's award came for his sniping abilities, which included setting a Canadian record this season for hitting 39 of 40 targets in the smallbore division at the 2012 Canadian Rifle Silhouette Championships.
"There's a lot of people who made this happen,鈥� Rittel said of his major award. "I want to thank them, mainly my parents.鈥�
One of the evening's biggest highlights came when 57-year-old Dawson City-native John Flynn was inducted into the Sport Yukon Hall of Fame.
Emotions flickered across Flynn's face as he accepted his hall of fame plaque while those in attendance stood up and honoured him with an ovation.
In a short acceptance speech, Flynn thanked Sport Yukon for the "incredible honour鈥� and encouraged the young athletes in the crowd to stay involved in sport.
Flynn was introduced by Pat Hogan, the other mastermind behind the Dawson City Nuggets-Ottawa Senators Stanley Cup challenge re-enactment that occurred in 1997. The two organized an oldtimer rematch that saw the Dawson City team retrace the steps of the 1905 Nuggets on their 22-day trip to Ottawa.
"John's vision and determination was a crucial part in making that trip a reality,鈥� Hogan said. "It was the trip of a lifetime.鈥�
He also praised Flynn's hockey career, saying the Nuggets captain will be remembered for his spectacular shot.
"He could shoot the eyes out of a gnat,鈥� Hogan said to laughter.
Other major winners included dog mushing coach Darren Kinvig as Coach of the Year, minor hockey coach John Grant as Administrator of the Year, and the U-19 men's volleyball team as Team of the Year.
Kinvig's coaching helped his daughter, Rachel, become the most decorated musher in Arctic Games history this year, when she won her seventh and eighth ulus.
He was humbled by his award, saying "there are lots of coaches in the Yukon that deserve the recognition.鈥�
Grant has been the driving force behind the Whitehorse Minor Hockey Association for many years, currently serving as past-president.
"Without a strong volunteer base in the community, we don't have these award nights,鈥� he said after accepting his award. "You'll find nothing more gratifying then giving a part of yourself to those endeavours.鈥�
The 2012 U-19 men's volleyball team achieved more success at the national level than any team before them, winning the territory's first gold medal in 26 years at the Arctic Winter Games.
The evening began with the announcement that the 2012 Arctic Winter Games Host Society would be leaving a $500,000 legacy.
"A number of factors contributed to this legacy,鈥� host society president George Arcand told the crowd. "To leave behind this type of legacy really demonstrates the impact of sport and hosting on our community.鈥�
Presenting this year's Arctic Winter Games in a fiscally responsible manner, the aid of major corporate funding partners, and ticket sales that far surpassed projected revenues helped create the legacy fund, which will benefit sport and culture in the community.
Arcand said 75 per cent of the funds will be dedicated to sport under the administration of Sport Yukon, 20 per cent will be dedicated to culture via the
Yukon Government's art branch, and the remaining five per cent will be used to create a permanent legacy of this year's games.
Arcand was awarded a Queen's Diamond Jubilee Medal by Yukon commissioner Doug Phillips.
The evening was emceed by hall of famer and former radio broadcaster Ron McFadyen.
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