January 31, 2003

Culture, Heritage and Tourism Minister Eric Robinson, minister responsible for sport, today announced that the Brandon Wheat King's Jordin Tootoo and the Swift Current Bronco's Ian White are the latest recipient's of Manitoba's Order of Sport Excellence Award.

"Ian and Jordin's performance with Canada's National Junior Hockey Team at the 2002 World Junior Hockey Championships finals in Halifax last December and their commitment to sport in the Western Hockey League (WHL) deserve to be commended and celebrated," said Robinson. "As Manitoba athletes, they are role models for many young people who love the game of hockey and aspire to sports excellence."

Nineteen-year-old Tootoo is a fourth round draft choice of the NHL's Nashville Predators. He is in his fourth season in the WHL after playing with the Manitoba Junior Hockey League's OCN Blizzard. White is an eighteen-year-old defenceman in his third season with the Broncos.

"Awards ranging from merit certificates for provincial competition winners to gold medal medallion awards for the Olympics, Paralympics, Commonwealth Games, Pan Am Games and world championships provide a well-deserved recognition of Manitoba athletes," said Robinson.

The minister noted that Sport Manitoba is the lead programming, planning and funding agency for the development of amateur sport in the province and works in partnership with over 100 sport organizations. More than 3,000 Manitoba athletes are recognized with Sport Excellence Awards annually.

The Manitoba Order of Sport Excellence Awards and gold medallions will be officially presented to the players by Robinson and Family Services and Housing Minister Drew Caldwell today just before the scheduled game between the Wheat Kings and Broncos at the Keystone Centre in Brandon.

Churchill-born Jordin will be joined by his parents Barney and Rose Tootoo, his grandmother Jenny Tootoo and his uncle George Hickes, Speaker of the Manitoba legislature. Ian's parents Allan and Diana and grandparents Ben and Edna Martens are also expected to travel from Steinbach to Brandon for the ceremony.

More information about the Sport Excellence Award is available by calling Sport Manitoba at 204-926-8350 or visiting the Web site at http://www.sport.mb.ca

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