35th Annual Georgetown Hockey Heritage Awards Dinner

Ted Arnott spoke at the 35th Annual Georgetown Hockey Heritage Awards Dinner in Acton on March 5, 2012. The following is the text of his remarks:

It’s a real honour to once again be here for the Hockey Heritage Dinner.

As the MPP for Wellington-Halton Hills, I want to express my special thanks to the
organizing Council and Committee:

Everyone who works so hard year after year to plan and prepare for this special night, the
first Monday in March as Dave Kentner always tells me, and make it such a big success.

I also want to thank our special guests, all of whom are fabulous ambassadors for Canada’s
favourite sport.

And, we say thanks to all of you for being here for dinner, so many of you coming year after
year.

We congratulate Neil Cotton on being honoured this year, for his many contributions to our
community as a outstanding player and coach.

Neil, you are deserving of this honour, and your example of leadership is one that others will
follow.

Now, I’m a proud hockey dad. Our son Phillip is 14 and plays Right Wing for the Centre
Wellington Fusion Bantams. My wife, Lisa, and I were both here in Acton on Saturday night
at 9, cheering him on and watching him assist on two goals.

There is no greater joy as a parent than to see your son or daughter work hard to
accomplish something worthwhile, and excel while they’re doing it.
Minor hockey programs teach that, as well as teamwork, and character, and fair play, and
integrity, and so much more.

Not surprisingly, these same qualities are what Canadians are known for around the world.
That’s one of the reasons why hockey is so tightly linked with what it means to be a
Canadian.

And like most hockey dads, I can’t tell you how much I appreciate those who take the time
to be the coaches, managers, trainers, officials, volunteers, arena staff and others, who give
so generously of their time to give our kids the chance to play Canada’s game.

So it’s great to have the chance to be here tonight, and to be able to say thanks to all of you
for everything you do to give the gift of hockey to the next generations.

Thank you.