CHEERS: To the strong Prince Edward Island presence at the 2018 Winter Olympics in PyeongChang. Summerside’s Heather Moyse is competing in bobsled; Peter Gallant of Stratford is coaching the South Korean women’s curling team; physiotherapist John Flood of Charlottetown is working with three Canadian athletes on Team Canada; Robbie Doherty of Charlottetown – a well-known local curler - is working with CBC on its curling coverage; and Morgan Bell, an employee with Hockey Canada, is working with the women’s hockey team. Kirk MacPhee of the Bonshaw area is volunteering for the host committee with Team Sweden; while Ye Eun Park, a Seoul, South Korea, native, played 12 games with the UPEI Panthers women’s hockey team in 2015-16. She is playing for South Korea at the Olympics. Then we have a pair of P.E.I. Rocket alumni who are teaming up again on Canada’s men’s hockey team - Maxim Lapierre and Marc-Andre Gragnani; and Bruce Rainnie, longtime P.E.I. Compass broadcaster, is hosting CBC’s curling coverage. For its size, the Island is certainly displaying a strong showing at the Winter Olympics. And there are likely more Islanders there who will turn up before the Games end in two weeks.
CHEERS: To Murray Harbour native Brad Richards who delivered emotional remarks Saturday during on-ice ceremonies to retire the sweater of Tampa Bay Lightning legend Vincent Lacavalier. The #4 jersey was raised to the rafters in pre-game ceremonies at Amalie Arena. Richards detailed how he and Lecavalier had been teammates for the better part of their teenage years and as young adults, including Tampa Bay which drafted both in 1998 and where they won a Stanley Cup together in 2004. It’s rare to see two players have the opportunity to play with each other for that long, going back to their days at Athol Murray College of Notre Dame in Wilcox, Sask.
CHEERS: To Confederation Centre of the Arts CEO Jessie Inman who is stepping down to pursue educational opportunities and spend more time with family. Inman had returned home to become the Centre’s first female CEO in 2011. Under her leadership, there was a total rebuild of the theatre and the world premiere of a major Canadian musical, Evangeline. Inman’s resignation takes effect on July 25.
CHEERS: To six graduating seniors of the UPEI Panthers men’s hockey team who were honoured Friday night before the home game against Dalhousie Tigers. Forwards Marcus Power, Brent Andrews and Darcy Ashley, defenceman Ryan MacKinnon and goalies Matt Mahalak and Connor Wilkinson are completing their fourth year of studies. If they all leave, it will result in a massive recruiting project for coach Forbie MacPherson who leads the team into opening playoff action this week against St. Mary’ Huskies.
JEERS: To CARI which has allowed the sound system at MacLauchlan Arena to dissolve into a real mess. Public address announcer Dave Holland tries his best but the sound cuts in and out, and he can’t be heard by anyone in the upper bowl of the arena. It’s a real toss-up on scoring announcements. It was a pleasant change to hear Holland loud and clear at Eastlink Centre Saturday night where UPEI played as part of Hockey Day in Canada.
CHEERS: To Island EMS, P.E.I.’s province-wide ambulance service which was nationally recognized for achieving one of the highest levels of accreditation in Canada’s health care sector. Island EMS was accredited with commendation by Accreditation Canada, following an evaluation of its management, operations and paramedic services. The accreditation is valid for five years.
CHEERS: To mental health advocate Margaret Trudeau who will be the keynote speaker at the Nova Scotia Co-operative Council’s 69th annual banquet June 13th, 2018 at the Best Western Glengarry Hotel in Truro. Ms. Trudeau, the mother of the current prime minister, is a Canadian icon, celebrated both for her role in the public eye and as a respected mental health advocate. The N.S. council is the economic development agency of co-operatives and credit unions across the province.
