On behalf of our government caucus, I would like to thank all the organizers, volunteers and staff who worked tirelessly to make Scotiabank Hockey Day in Canada a resounding success on February 12th. The national exposure and profile for Whitehorse and Yukon showcased to the rest of Canada our warm hospitality, pioneering spirit and proud sense of community.
The hard work of the local organizing committee, chaired by Walter Brennan and co-chairs George Arcand and Ranj Pillai deserve much of the credit for putting together the week-long celebration that caught the imagination of Yukoners, young and old alike. Likewise, the staff of CBC, both local and national, deserve our thanks for the exceptional work they did profiling our strong hockey traditions in Whitehorse and Yukon communities.
In true Yukon fashion, we told stories of our game by mixing sport and culture, whether it was the exhibit of hockey’s history in Yukon at MacBride Museum, or the collaboration of musicians and filmmakers to put on a magnificent show at the Yukon Arts Centre.
I must also thank our many NHL and CBC celebrity visitors. Whitehorse was abuzz with sightings of these national icons. Yukoners who had the pleasure of meeting these celebrities found them friendly and willing to take time with everyone. I am certain Yukoners will remember for the rest of their lives hosting Ron MacLean, Don Cherry, Lanny McDonald, Trevor Linden, Brad May, Reggie Leach and countless others who made the week truly special for everyone involved.
Scotiabank Hockey Day in Canada was an outstanding success and we will not soon forget the lasting stories and memories from this wonderful day. I would like to thank everyone who worked to bring this event to Yukon and making it such a truly memorable experience.
Premier Dennis Fentie
Whitehorse