Presenting partner Canadian Tire Corporation and The CI to honour the inaugural seven HCTA recipients at the Hockey Hall of Fame in January
(Toronto, Ontario and Boston, Mass – Nov 12, 2022) The Carnegie Initiative (CI), in partnership with Canadian Tire Corporation (CTC), is excited to announce the launch of the Herbert Carnegie Trailblazer Award (HCTA) program. HCTA aims to honour the unsung heroes of the hockey world, recognizing those who use the sport as a vehicle to create positive social change, embodying the CI’s mission of ensuring that hockey is inclusive, supportive, and welcoming to all.
The HCTA program was named in honour of legendary Black hockey player Herb Carnegie, who will be posthumously inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in November. Carnegie himself was a trailblazer who, in 1955, after a 17-year playing career, founded the Future Aces Hockey School to empower youth to become positive leaders in their communities. The Future Aces Creed – have a positive attitude and be a good citizen – had been adopted by numerous school boards, shaping the lives of thousands of young people on and off the ice.
“The HCTA program reflects my father Herb’s work and passion over many decades to make sport a powerful tool for positive change. He kept scoring throughout his life and career – ‘keeping the red light on’ – just like these seven special individuals are currently doing in their communities,” said Bernice Carnegie, Co-Founder, The Carnegie Initiative.
The Carnegie Initiative and Canadian Tire Corporation proudly honour the following seven inaugural HCTA recipients from throughout North America that exemplify Herbert Carnegie’s work and legacy:
- Alexandria Briggs-Blake, The Tucker Road Ducks (US)
- Kirk Brooks, Founder of Seaside Hockey – Skillz Hockey (CAN)
- Stephane Friday, Hockey Business for Hockey Indigenous (CAN)
- Moezine Hasham, Hockey 4 Youth (CAN)
- Nate Mata, RGV Roller (US)
- Brock McGillis, LGBTQ+ Activist (CAN)
- Zarmina Nekzai, The Hockey Girls of Kabul (CAN)
These extraordinary Trailblazers will receive their award and recognition at a gala reception in January at The Hockey Hall of Fame in Toronto as part of the Carnegie Initiative Summit 2023.
“We are proud to partner with the Carnegie Initiative to advance our shared mission of driving positive change in hockey culture,” said Kim Saunders, Vice President, ESG Strategy, Community Impact and Sport Partnerships. “These seven Trailblazers are true leaders on and off the ice who work to foster a more inclusive and equitable game for the next generation – that’s deserving of recognition.”
“With the goal of making hockey accessible to everyone, these ‘Trailblazers’ have opened new paths within the sport, improving the lives of many through their work and leadership,” said Bryant McBride, Co-Founder, The Carnegie Initiative. “Their innovation of thought, undaunted courage, and steadfast vision has created substantive change in the world of hockey.”
The HCTA program will be supported by an extensive media campaign over the next several months, including full video profiles on each Trailblazer. The CI’s media partner Rogers Sports & Media will also supply broadcast inventory on Sportsnet in support of the campaign.
ABOUT THE CARNEGIE INITIATIVE
MISSION: Work to ensure that hockey is inclusive, supportive and welcoming to all. The Carnegie Initiative (The CI), named in honor of legendary hockey player and social justice pioneer Herb Carnegie, was created to ensure opportunity and access to hockey everywhere. Co-founded by Bernice Carnegie and Bryant McBride, and in conjunction with leading academic institutions, The CI aims to accelerate the work started by Herb Carnegie more than 50 years ago to make hockey more diverse and inclusive.
In short, with the help of our partners and supporters, The CI aims to change the culture of hockey
ABOUT CANADIAN TIRE CORPORATION
Canadian Tire Corporation, Limited, (TSX: CTC.A) (TSX: CTC) or “CTC”, is a group of companies that includes a Retail segment, a Financial Services division and CT REIT. Our retail business is led by Canadian Tire, which was founded in 1922 and provides Canadians with products for life in Canada across its Living, Playing, Fixing, Automotive and Seasonal & Gardening divisions. Party City, PartSource and Gas+ are key parts of the Canadian Tire network. The Retail segment also includes Mark’s, a leading source for casual and industrial wear; Pro Hockey Life, a hockey specialty store catering to elite players; and SportChek, Hockey Experts, Sports Experts and Atmosphere, which offer the best active wear brands. The more than 1,700 retail and gasoline outlets are supported and strengthened by CTC’s Financial Services division and the tens of thousands of people employed across Canada and around the world by CTC and its local dealers, franchisees and petroleum retailers. In addition, CTC owns and operates Helly Hansen, a leading technical outdoor brand based in Oslo, Norway. For more information, visit Corp.CanadianTire.ca.
Website: carnegieinitiative.com IG/Twitter: @carnegieinit
Contacts: STEPHANIE J. GEOSITS/ [email protected] CAN: +1 647 228 7667 and USA: +1 917 721 7667