DEAN SMITH NAMED FINALIST FOR WILLIE O'REE AWARD
DARTMOUTH — Hockey Nova Scotia's Dean Smith is in the running for one of the National Hockey League's prestigious awards.
On Monday, the NHL announced that Hockey Nova Scotia Diversity and Inclusion Chair Dean Smith is one of three Canadian finalists for the 2023 Willie O’Ree Community Hero Award presented by Hyundai in Canada. Each award is given to an individual who – through the sport of hockey – has positively impacted his or her community, culture or society.
A public fan vote will help determine the winners. Fans 13 years of age and older are encouraged to start voting for the winners today until April 16 at 2 p.m. at NHL.com/OReeAward. Residents in Canada may only vote for any finalist in Canada. There is a limit of one vote per person per day and votes are subject to verification at any time.
So vote every day!
Dean is a Halifax lawyer with a passion for sharing his love for hockey by creating safe and welcoming spaces for everyone to enjoy the game. He served as Chair of Hockey Nova Scotia’s Diversity and Inclusion Task Force, and now sits on the Board of Directors as their Chair of Diversity and Inclusion. Smith also serves as Secretary to the Black Ice Hockey and Sports Hall of Fame Society, a not-for-profit highlighting and celebrating Black achievement in sport. He has dedicated himself to creating systemic change in hockey and is the driving force behind Hockey Nova Scotia’s Halifax-based Black Youth Ice Hockey Program, which strives to increase diversity in the game by introducing the sport to more than 30 young Black Nova Scotian’s each season with several graduates of the program advancing to elite levels of the sport in the province. Smith also helped lead Hockey Nova Scotia’s #StrongerTogether campaign with Recreation Facilities Association of Nova Scotia by partnering with arenas across the province and was an integral part of the organizing committee that launched the Halifax Hockey Summit.
The Willie O’Ree Community Hero Award honours former NHL forward Willie O’Ree, who on Jan. 18, 1958, became the first Black player to compete in the League. He used hockey as a platform to build character and teach life skills and has used his influence to foster positive values through the sport.
On behalf of all of us at Hockey Nova Scotia, we would like to congratulate Dean on being named a finalist and wish him the best of luck.
Don't forget to vote!