Klippers’ Kyler Smith Recognized as RBC Community Ambassador
RBC is once again teaming up with the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League (SJHL) for the sixth consecutive year to spotlight the league’s athletes who are making a positive impact in their communities.
From each SJHL team, one player who has demonstrated exceptional dedication to their community and serves as a strong leader both on and off the ice will be selected to join the 12-member RBC Community Ambassador team.
The RBC Community Ambassadors are lauded for their efforts in making a meaningful difference and giving back to the communities in which they play. Each Ambassador will receive recognition during an RBC Game Night*, accompanied by a charitable donation from RBC to a local school in their community.
SJHL enthusiasts will have the opportunity to cast their votes online for the RBC Community Ambassador they believe deserves the RBC Community Award at the conclusion of the SJHL regular season. This added distinction will also come with an additional donation from RBC in the player’s name to a school within their local community.
Last year’s recipient of the RBC Community Award, Clay Sleeva of the Yorkton Terriers, received his award and had the opportunity to contribute $2,500 to Canora Composite High School.
“Winning the RBC Community Ambassador Award was one of the highlights of last hockey season” said Sleeva, now of the Melfort Mustangs. “I enjoy giving back to the community, especially when they support us so much, so to see all the votes and support from the fans meant the world. You don’t have to win the award either, just being a part of the community and interacting with the kids and fans shows the character person you are.”
“The SJHL is honored to continue this partnership and bring back the RBC Community Ambassador Program,” SJHL Director of Marketing and Partnerships Jacob Faith said. “Partnerships like this that give back to the community while engaging with on-ice play are the types of relationships that are valuable beyond measure for our league and the twelve member communities. We’re all looking forward to the battle to be crowned the SJHL’s RBC Community Ambassador this season!”
“RBC’s decades-long partnership with SJHL reflects our shared enthusiasm for amateur hockey and giving back to communities, both of which are part of the connective fiber here on the prairies,” says Dale Rohovich, Regional Vice President, Northern Saskatchewan & Manitoba and Nunavut. “The RBC Community Ambassador program is just one way to recognize and reward the care and leadership of the recipients in a pay-it-forward fashion. Thank you and congratulations to all the players celebrated by their teams with this special acknowledgement.”
This year’s RBC Community Ambassadors will be recognized at RBC Game Nights taking place between January 6th and March 6th.
RBC Game Nights:
Battlefords North Stars: Saturday, January 13th
Estevan Bruins: Friday, January 26th
Flin Flon Bombers: Friday, February 16th
Humboldt Broncos: Wednesday, March 6th
Kindersley Klippers: Friday, January 12th
La Ronge Ice Wolves: TBA
Melfort Mustangs: Friday, February 23rd
Melville Millionaires: Friday, February 2nd
Nipawin Hawks: Wednesday, February 28th
Notre Dame Hounds: TBA
Weyburn Red Wings: Tuesday, February 6th
Yorkton Terriers: Saturday, January 6th
Get to know all of the RBC Community Ambassadors on all SJHL social media pages. The SJHL Social Media Channels will be sharing videos and stories on each nominee on the day of their team’s game night, and on the SJHL.ca website, where voting for this year’s RBC Community Ambassador will take place.
2023-2024 RBC-SJHL Community Ambassador Team:
Battlefords North Stars – Bradley Blake
La Ronge Ice Wolves – Jacob Cossette
Weyburn Red Wings – Jacob Visentini
Estevan Bruins – Keagon Little
Melfort Mustangs – Leith Olafson
Yorkton Terriers – Jye Zawatsky
Flin Flon Bombers – Joey Lies
Melville Millionaires – Tucker Buhay
Humboldt Broncos – Chase Cooke
Nipawin Hawks – Maguire Ratzlaff
Kindersley Klippers – Kyler Smith
Notre Dame Hounds – Vincent Palmarin
With files from SJHL.ca