Rideau Hall, Saturday, January 28, 2012

It gives me great pleasure to welcome you to Rideau Hall this afternoon on the occasion of our annual Winter Celebration and the 2012 NHL All-Star Weekend.

I’m very pleased to host today, along with NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman, the launch of the Hockey is for Everyone Program Center for the Ottawa region, which will be operated by H.E.R.O.S, in co-operation with the Boys and Girls Club of Ottawa.

The NHL Hockey is for Everyone Program Center is a tremendous opportunity not only to introduce local youth to this great Canadian game, but also to instill in them a love of learning. 

Given my own experience with and affection for hockey, I am thrilled that this program encourages children from all backgrounds to lace up their skates to help build their skills and confidence.

I played hockey for many years, and being a member of a team encouraged me to do better and to study harder. I hope the children participating in this program will feel that same encouragement.

Of course, I am not the first governor general with a strong connection to hockey.

In 1872, Lord Dufferin built a skating rink at Rideau Hall, and more than a century later that same rink still welcomes many Canadians every winter.

Lord Stanley was such a fan of the game that, in 1893, he created the Stanley Cup, still one of the most recognized sporting awards in the world today. His family members were also fans—his sons helped found the Ontario Hockey Association and this institution’s first hockey team: the Rideau Hall Rebels. And his daughter, Isobel, became one of the first female hockey players in Canada.

Lord Byng and his wife were also hockey fans; the Lady Byng Memorial Trophy is still awarded in the NHL today. And most recently, the Right Honourable Adrienne Clarkson donated the Clarkson Cup to honour women’s hockey.

So, as you can see, governors general throughout history have made meaningful contributions to the game of hockey. And today, as we announce this new program, I know that young people in Ottawa, who may otherwise never have had the experience, will be able to make their own contributions to hockey and to the Ottawa region.

Some of our young people, those of you here today or others in the region, may choose to pursue the dream of an NHL career. Or perhaps hockey, and the confidence and skills it teaches, will lead you to tackle other challenges.

But no matter what you do, no matter the goals you set for yourselves, I know that our country can expect great things from you.

Hockey is truly for everyone, and I am delighted that this program is now available to the youth of our nation’s capital.

Thank you.