Memorial award a huge assist for two local hockey players

The recipients of the annual Kyle Vanderburg and Don Gagnon Memorial Scholarship Award have been announced.

The annual award is being presented this year to two student athletes who will be attending post-secondary institutions this fall.

Cole Cond and Carter Doucette are the recipients of the third annual award, which honours the legacies of Don and Kyle in support of future leaders who share the love of hockey.

Both Cond and Doucette have played hockey since they were four years old and have given back to the Sault Ste. Marie community through volunteer work on and off the ice.

Cond, currently a Grade 12 student at Superior Heights, will study math and science in the concurrent education program at Lakehead University in the fall and plans to become a teacher in Grades 7 to 12.

“To be recognized by two monumental people in the Sault Ste. Marie hockey community is a blessing,” Cole said. “The money awarded will help with the increasing cost of housing and food and help with the cost for a meal plan and residence during my first year of post-secondary education.”

Doucette, a graduate of St. Mary’s College, will be studying business and mathematics at the University of Waterloo starting in September.

“This scholarship not only alleviates financial pressures but also fuels my determination to excel in my studies and contribute meaningfully to my community,” Carter said. “Kyle and Don's legacies inspire me to strive for excellence and make a positive impact, both on and off the ice. I am deeply grateful for this support and am committed to honouring their memory through my future endeavours."

Both 2024 recipients were granted $1,000 scholarships in honour of Kyle and Don.

The award will be granted annually to local students with a passion for hockey who are entering their first year of university or college.

Previous recipients of this award include:

• Nathan Palmer - 2023
• Haley Howe - 2023
• Adrian O’Dell - 2023
• Brooke Brazeau - 2022
• Milana Perri - 2022

The award has been made possible through funds raised at the annual Kyle Vanderburg Memorial Golf Tournament as well as community supporters who share the passion that Don and Kyle had for helping young athletes flourish.