sami jo small jennifer botterill

Golden girls highlight Esso Cup banquet

Jennifer Botterill and Sami Jo Small to speak at Canada’s National Female Midget Championship

Jason La Rose
|
February 16, 2017
|

A pair of Olympic gold medallists – and Manitobans – are coming to Morden.

Jennifer Botterill and Sami Jo Small have been announced as guest speakers for the awards banquet at the 2017 Esso Cup. The banquet is scheduled for the morning of Friday, April 28 at the Access Event Centre.

“It is awesome to have Jennifer and Sami Jo come to Morden,” said Clare Agnew, chair of the host organizing committee. “They will be around the community for the day participating in the banquet, a presentation to the players and participating with ceremonial puck drops. They are both amazing women and ambassadors to female hockey and to Canada.”

Botterill, who retired after winning her third Olympic gold medal at the 2010 Games in Vancouver, still ranks fifth in all-time scoring with Canada’s National Women’s Team, recording 174 points (65 goals, 109 assists) in 184 games.

In addition to her Vancouver gold, the Winnipeg native helped Canada to the top prize at the Olympics in 2002 and 2006, in addition to a silver in 1998, and won five IIHF World Women’s Championship gold medals (1999, 2000, 2001, 2004, 2007) during a 13-year career with Team Canada.

She was also named Most Valuable Player at women’s worlds in 2001 and 2004, and took Top Forward honours in 2001.

Small appeared in 51 games for Canada’s National Women’s Team across 10 seasons, winning Olympic gold in 2002 and 2006, along with IIHF World Women’s Championship gold in 1999, 2000, 2001 and 2004.

Named Top Goaltender at women’s worlds in 1999 and 2000, Small finished her career with a 40-6-0 record, leaving her third in all-time wins, trailing only Kim St-Pierre (64) and Charline Labonté (45). She posted a 1.04 goals-against average, best among all goaltenders who played more than two games with Team Canada.

Tickets for the Esso Cup awards banquet are available for $25 at the Access Event Centre during regular business hours. There are a limited number of tickets available for the general public.

“Our banquet committee is working tirelessly on every detail,” said Darcie Reimer, chair of special events for the host committee. “It’s exciting to see it all come together, and with Jennifer and Sami Jo involved it’s going to be a memorable morning.”

For more information:

Esther Madziya
Manager, Communications
Hockey Canada

(403) 284-6484 

emadziya@hockeycanada.ca 

Spencer Sharkey
Manager, Communications
Hockey Canada

(403) 777-4567

ssharkey@hockeycanada.ca

Jeremy Knight
Manager, Corporate Communications
Hockey Canada

(647) 251-9738

jknight@hockeycanada.ca

Recent News
Most Popular
Videos
Photos
HCC: One For All in Yellowknife
One For All celebrated women’s hockey with more than 300 participants.
2023-24 NWT: CAN 6 – USA 1 (Game 7)
Spooner and Maltais scored twice to lead Canada to win the series.
2023-24 NWT: CAN 3 – USA 0 (Game 6)
Maschmeyer made 27 saves for the shutout to tie the Rivalry Series.
2023-24 NWT: CAN 4 – USA 2 (Game 5)
Bell, Fast and Stacey scored late to help Canada stay alive.
Schedule