Photo Credit: Freeze Frame Photos
The annual memorial award, now in its third year, recognizes and provides funds to local hockey players pursuing post-secondary education each year The families of Kyle Vanderburg and Don Gagnon are thrilled and honoured to present this year’s Kyle Vanderburg and Don Gagnon Memorial Scholarship Award to two student athletes who will be attending post-secondary 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 recipients have played hockey since the young age of four and have given back to the Sault Ste. Marie community through volunteer work on and off the ice.
Cole, a grade 12 student at Superior Heights, will study Math and Science in the Concurrent Education program at Lakehead University. He plans to become a teacher for students in grades 7-12.
“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.”
Carter, a graduate from St. Mary’s College, is looking forward to 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 are as follows:
● Nathan Palmer – 2023
● Haley Howe – 2023
● Adrian O’Dell – 2023
● Brooke Brazeau – 2022
● Milana Perri – 2022
The Kyle Vanderburg and Don Gagnon Memorial Award has been made possible through funds raised at the annual Kyle Vanderburg Memorial Golf Tournament as well as generous community supporters who share the passion that Don and Kyle had for helping young athletes flourish.
To learn more about the award and other initiatives that honour the legacies of Kyle and Don, visit their website.
