Dandjinou, Sarault, Howe and Blondin capture Athlete of the Year honours; Brooklyn McDougall selected as Community Champion of the Year

OTTAWA, ONTARIO – Speed Skating Canada is proud to unveil the list of deserving individuals from across the Canadian speed skating community that were selected as recipients for the organization’s annual award program for their accomplishments during the 2024-25 season.

Skaters from four different provinces were selected for Athlete of the Year awards, with William Dandjinou (Montreal, Que.) and Courtney Sarault (Moncton, N.B.) earning short track honours, and Connor Howe (Canmore, Alta.) and Ivanie Blondin (Ottawa, Ont.) taking home the prizes for long track. Meanwhile, fellow national program athlete Brooklyn McDougall (Calgary, Alta.) became the fourth consecutive long track skater to win the award for Community Champion of the Year since its inception in 2022, thanks in large part to her involvement with the Women’s Centre of Calgary this past season.

Several deserving candidates were also recognized for their hard work and dedication off the ice. Yannick Desmeules (Chicoutimi, Que.) was selected as Coach of the Year following a successful season at the head of Canada’s junior short track team, Alberta’s Andrew Cross was named Official of the Year, and Brenda Shields Hennigar of the Peninsula Speed Skating Club was chosen as Volunteer of the Year.

Quebec’s Dubreuil-Loignon Family – which includes Olympians Robert Dubreuil, Arianne Loignon and Laurent Dubreuil – will receive the Gagné Family Award for their lifelong impact on the sport, while CODEPS were chosen as Partner of the Year in recognition of their longstanding involvement with short track speed skating competitions in Sherbrooke.

Meanwhile, five local speed skating clubs will receive funding courtesy of the Intact Insurance Club Excellence Award, which supports grassroots development initiatives that help the sport grow and thrive within their community. As grand prize winner, the Westman Speed Skating Club (MB) will receive a $10,000 grant to support its project, as well as a visit from two Canadian Olympians as part of this spring’s Medals on Tour initiative.

Please join us in congratulating the full list of recipients below:

Athlete
Male Short Track Athlete of the Year: William Dandjinou (QC)
Female Short Track Athlete of the Year: Courtney Sarault (NB)
Male Long Track Athlete of the Year: Connor Howe (AB)
Female Long Track Athlete of the Year: Ivanie Blondin (ON)
Community Champion of the Year: Brooklyn McDougall (AB)

Coaches
Coach of the Year: Yannick Desmeules (QC)
Coaching Award of Excellence: Alanna Handley (QC)
Coaching Award of Excellence: Marc Gagnon (QC)
Coaching Award of Excellence: Philippe Clément (QC)

Officials
Official of the Year: Andrew Cross (AB)
Official Award of Excellence: Jason Coutu (SK)
Official Award of Excellence: Moyca Stoffel (SK)
Official Award of Excellence: Bernard Després (QC)

Community
Volunteer of the Year: Brenda Hennigar (BC)
Partner of the Year: CODEPS (QC)
Family of the Year: Dubreuil/Loignon Family (QC)

Intact Insurance Club Excellence Award
Winner: Westman Speed Skating Club (MB)
Finalist: Speedy Kids Oval Program (NS)
Finalist: CPV Les Élans de Jonquière (QC)
Finalist: Ottawa Pacers Speed Skating Club (ON)
Finalist: West Island Cyclones (QC)