Three community leaders from across Canada were announced Monday by the NHL as finalists for the Willie O’Ree Community Hero Award.
The O’Ree award is given to someone who positively influences their community, culture or society through hockey.
The Canadian finalists for the 2026 Willie O’Ree Community Hero Award are:
Doug Grandy of Fredericton is founder and coach of the Rink Rebels Female Hockey Organization. The organization is community‑driven and supported by families, volunteers and leaders who share a vision of using hockey to shape confident, young people who give back to their communities.
Vinnie Matteo of Montreal founded Avalanche Kidz, a hockey organization that has programs for children aged 4 to 13 with autism, neurodivergent conditions and developmental challenges. The community is designed to create an atmosphere where children gain confidence, form social connections and experience a genuine sense of belonging on and off the ice.
Sonny Sekhon of Edmonton founded the Punjabi Elite League, a competitive ball hockey program for people of all skill levels, promoting physical fitness and connection within the Punjabi community. The program hosts more than 200 athletes, and half of participants are youth. Sekhon is also on the planning committee for the South Asian Canada Cup.
Steven Thompson (Seattle), Bill Tobias (New York) and Kendal Troutman (Los Angeles) are the American nominees.
Each of the two winners — one in the U.S. and one in Canada — will receive $30,000 in the form of a donation to a charity of their choice.
The Willie O’Ree Community Hero Award is named in honour of the former forward who made history on Jan. 18, 1958, as the first Black player to compete in the NHL. O’Ree’s impact on hockey has also earned him a Congressional gold medal and induction into the Hockey Hall of Fame. He is a Member of the Order of Canada.