Hockey Nova Scotia is pleased to announce that Bedford Bandits goaltender Jared Sorhaindo is the winner of our 2023 Bill Riley Award.

The Bill Riley Award is presented annually to a player in Nova Scotia of African descent who embodies the characteristics and traits that Riley demonstrated during his hockey career including:

• An exceptional teammate
• Competitive
• Passionate about the sport
• Tenacious work ethic.

While Jared demonstrates elite skills between the pipes on the ice, his coaches say his best attribute is who he is off the ice.

A great brother and teammate, Jared brings a positive attitude and outlook to the rink everyday. He makes sure everyone feels welcome and accepted for who they are. He has a tireless work ethic and encouraging attitude that helps push his teammates to become better people and players.

The Bandits netminder is certainly mature well beyond his 13 years.

Despite playing at the highest level of hockey for his age, Jared still finds time to keep his grades up in school, as well as mentor the younger members of the Bedford & District Minor Hockey Association, helping with practices and goalie sessions teams at the U7 and U9-level.

This season, Jared emerged as one of the leaders on his Bandits team despite being one of the younger players on the roster. He is very deserving of the Bill Riley Award.

On Dec. 26, 1974, Amherst’s Bill Riley made history by becoming the third Black player to skate in the National Hockey League, and the first of African Nova Scotian descent, when he suited up for the Washington Capitals.

The hard-working and respected winger would go on to spend parts of five seasons in the NHL with the Capitals and Winnipeg Jets, scoring 31 goals and adding 30 assists in 139 career games.

On behalf of everyone at Hockey Nova Scotia, we would like to congratulate Jared on winning our 2023 Bill Riley Award.