Curl PEI was proud to host the 2025 ADL Awards Celebration on Tuesday, June 10 at the Lone Oak Brewery and Taproom in Borden-Carleton. With nearly 50 people in attendance, the evening was a wonderful opportunity to come together and recognize the dedication, achievements, and spirit of our curling community.
The night began with a social, giving guests time to connect, share stories, and enjoy the welcoming atmosphere at Lone Oak. The formal program followed, led by Curl PEI Vice President, Daniel MacFadyen, who served as the evening’s Master of Ceremonies.
Daniel presented the following awards, each representing excellence on and off the ice:
Junior True Sport Awards
In memory of the late Craig MacKie—longtime Island curler, Curl PEI board member, and champion for inclusion and community building—we proudly presented the Junior True Sport Awards for the third year. Craig was a firm believer in the True Sport principles of Give Back and Include Everyone, and these values are at the heart of this award.
The Junior True Sport Award may be presented annually to up to two junior curlers who go above and beyond to make a positive impact in their club and community. Eligible to U16, U18, or U21 athletes, recipients are recognized for fostering inclusivity and demonstrating leadership both on and off the ice.
This year, Curl PEI is thrilled to honour Norah MacKinnon and Emmett Brothers as the 2025 Junior True Sport Award recipients.
(L-R) ADL Representative, Jacqueline Lecky, Norah MacKinnon and Emmett Brothers
Norah MacKinnon has been curling for seven years and has quickly become both a strong competitor and a dedicated leader within the sport. With medals at U13 through U18 levels and experience representing PEI at Atlantic Rockfest in Halifax, Norah’s competitive résumé is impressive. But it’s her off-ice contributions that truly set her apart. She coached an U12 team to a silver medal—becoming the youngest coach at that year’s provincial event—and played an active role in Cornwall Curling Club’s development programs, particularly the Little Rockers. Her initiative to start a curling club at East Wiltshire Junior High has introduced the sport to more than a dozen new youth curlers. Norah’s commitment to the sport, her peers, and her community reflects her natural leadership, positivity, and strong alignment with the principles of True Sport.
Emmett Brothers is a young curler who has gained the admiration of teammates, coaches, and the Montague Curling Club community alike. A participant in Rockfest and a consistent presence at every team practice, Emmett approached the season with a commitment to growth and a team-first mindset. Always kind, encouraging, and respectful—whether winning or facing tough games—Emmett embodies what it means to be a good teammate and sportsperson. He worked hard to improve both technically and mentally, always giving his best and staying upbeat. Emmett is a role model for positivity, sportsmanship, and quiet leadership on the ice.
Congratulations to Norah and Emmett! Your efforts are making the curling community in PEI stronger, more inclusive, and more welcoming—just as Craig MacKie envisioned.
Outstanding Athlete of the Year
The Outstanding Athlete of the Year Award recognizes a curler who leads by example through sportsmanship, dedication, leadership, and community engagement. While all skill levels and age groups are eligible, competitive success is a key component. This award celebrates not only what an athlete accomplishes on the ice—but how they do it, and the impact they have beyond the game.
Curl PEI is proud to honour Amanda Power as our 2025 Outstanding Athlete of the Year.
(L-R) ADL Representative, Jacqueline Lecky and Amanda Power
In 2024, Amanda Power delivered a truly remarkable performance on the national stage. While expecting her second child, she skipped her team to a silver medal finish at the Everest Curling Club Championships, posting a dominant 9–1 record. Her outstanding leadership, tactical acumen, and calm presence under pressure earned her the respect of fellow competitors—who voted her the tournament’s Most Valuable Player.
While club-level curling may not receive the same spotlight as elite competition, the Everest National Championship represents the pinnacle for athletes who juggle curling with full-time careers and family life. Amanda embodies this balance with poise, perseverance, and passion. Alongside her competitive success, she continues to make meaningful contributions to her community through her work as an Occupational Therapist.
Amanda’s story is one of resilience and inspiration. She has shown that it is possible to pursue excellence on the ice while embracing the demands of motherhood and professional life. Her success is a powerful example to young athletes—especially women—who may wonder if they need to step away from sport to focus on family or career. Amanda proves that you can do both, and do both extraordinarily well.
Congratulations Amanda, and thank you for showing us what true strength, determination, and leadership look like.
Coach of the Year
The Coach of the Year Award honours an individual who leads with integrity, commitment, and care—someone who not only helps athletes reach their potential but also instills a lifelong love for the sport of curling. Nominees must be certified at minimum as Club Coach Youth “Trained” or Competition Coach “Trained,” and must demonstrate high standards of personal conduct, mentorship, and leadership.
Curl PEI is proud to recognize Richard MacEwen as the 2025 Coach of the Year.
(L-R) ADL Representative, Jacqueline Lecky and Richard MacEwen
Richard’s dedication to the curling community at the Cornwall Curling Club is second to none. Nearly every Sunday this past season, Richard brought his sons to the club for extra practice—but his support didn’t stop there. He regularly stayed late to assist with the Parasport and Learn to Curl programs, and also lent his time and expertise to Come Try Curling events and IRSA (Immigrant & Refugee Services Association) sessions. All of this was in addition to coaching a junior boys team and competing himself in seniors and club-level championships.
Richard’s leadership on and off the ice is driven by both knowledge and heart. He is known for setting clear goals, offering constructive feedback, and creating a positive environment for learning. Whether he’s introducing new concepts or refining skills, Richard brings a thoughtful and encouraging approach that resonates with both new and experienced curlers. He is widely respected by fellow coaches and the youth he mentors.
What makes Richard truly stand out is his ability to make everyone feel welcomed, valued, and supported. His presence at the curling club—always with a smile—embodies the spirit of community and lifelong learning that this award celebrates.
Thank you, Richard, for your outstanding commitment to coaching and growing the game. Congratulations!
Team of the Year
The Team of the Year Award celebrates a group of athletes who demonstrate excellence, sportsmanship, leadership, and a commitment to their sport and community. While all levels and age groups are eligible, competitive achievement is a key consideration. This award recognizes not just performance, but how the team carries itself both on and off the ice.
Curl PEI is thrilled to name Team Power as the 2025 Team of the Year.
(L-R) ADL Representative, Jacqueline Lecky, Team Power Second, Emily Best & Skip, Amanda Power
Team Power—consisting of Skip Amanda Power, Mate Sara Spafford, Second Emily Best, and Lead Janique LeBlanc—put on a phenomenal display of talent and determination at the Everest Curling Club National Championship in Barrie, finishing with a silver medal. The team went undefeated (6–0) through round robin play and lost a nail-biting final in an extra end, 10–9. Their strong showing earned individual honours for Janique LeBlanc, who received the tournament Sportsmanship Award, and Amanda Power, who was named Most Valuable Player.
The road to nationals was paved with hard work and sacrifice. Amanda and Emily both competed while expecting children, a testament to their grit and love for the game. Janique, who works as a travel nurse supporting Indigenous communities, missed part of the season but gave 110% effort whenever she was able to join the team.
Team Power committed to regular training sessions with high-performance coach Peter Gallant, focusing on technical refinement and strategic development. The results spoke for themselves: they outscored opponents by a 3:1 ratio, allowed only four stolen points while stealing 31, and scored three or more points in 13 different ends—without ever giving up more than two in a single end until the final.
Their commitment to continued improvement, resilience in the face of personal and logistical challenges, and stellar performance on the national stage make them truly deserving of this honour.
Congratulations, Team Power—you continue to be a shining example of what dedication, teamwork, and heart can achieve.
Volunteer of the Year
The Volunteer of the Year Award recognizes an individual whose exceptional contributions to their local curling club set them apart from all other volunteers across the province. This honour is reserved for those who demonstrate extraordinary commitment, service, and dedication to the sport at the grassroots level.
Curl PEI is proud to name Travis Coffin of the Souris Curling Club as our 2025 Volunteer of the Year.
(L-R) ADL Representative, Jacqueline Lecky and Travis Coffin
Travis has gone far beyond the call of duty to ensure that curling thrives in Souris and the surrounding area. For the past 12 years, he has led the ice crew at the Eastern Kings Sportsplex, a shared facility that also hosts hockey, ringette, and skating. Creating high-quality curling ice under those conditions is no small feat—but Travis has embraced the challenge with incredible dedication. His work begins in the early hours of the morning—often as early as 5:30 a.m.—to ensure the ice is ready for evening draws.
His tireless efforts and attention to detail have made curling possible in Souris week after week, season after season. He has developed an expertise in arena ice preparation and shares his knowledge to support the sport’s success in a community where volunteer efforts are crucial. His contributions are instrumental in keeping the spirit of curling alive in Eastern Kings.
In addition to his local efforts, Travis also volunteered at the Grand Slam of Curling event in Charlottetown in the fall of 2024, further demonstrating his commitment to the sport across the Island.
Travis’s exceptional talent, generosity, and quiet leadership have not gone unnoticed. He is an essential part of the Souris curling community and a deserving recipient of this province-wide recognition.
Thank you and congratulations, Travis!
Mentor of the Year
The Mentor of the Year Award honours an individual or group whose passion for curling and dedication to community development has made a lasting impact. This award recognizes those who go above and beyond to grow the sport—preserving existing programs, launching new ones, and creating welcoming spaces for curlers of all levels. Strong personal conduct and a love for teaching are hallmarks of this award.
Curl PEI is proud to name Rushell MacDonald of the West Prince Curling Club as the 2025 Mentor of the Year.
(L-R) ADL Representative, Jacqueline Lecky and John Martin (accepting on behalf of Rushell MacDonald)
Rushell has been a cornerstone of curling development in West Prince. Prior to the formation of the West Prince Curling Club (WPCC), she was an active member of the former Maple Leaf Curling Club in O’Leary, where she played a vital role in the after-school junior program. Her passion for youth development and inclusion carried through to the establishment of WPCC, where her commitment remained unwavering.
During WPCC’s inaugural 2024 season—a shortened season by all accounts—Rushell supported the Learn to Curl program while also being the sole volunteer helping the club manager manage its Facebook presence and communicate club news. With a new manager coming on board for the 2024–25 season, Rushell once again stepped in, ensuring a smooth transition and continuity of club communications and outreach.
Her contributions didn’t stop there. Rushell led the development of a new website for WPCC, setting the foundation for the club’s 2025–26 season to include full online registration and payment capabilities. These tools are essential for growing modern sport organizations, and Rushell’s leadership and technical skill have placed WPCC on a path to sustainable success.
Rushell’s impact has been recognized beyond her club. One fellow PEI club manager shared that WPCC’s Facebook page—thanks to Rushell’s efforts—has “set the bar just a bit higher” for all curling clubs on the Island. Her work has made WPCC more visible, more accessible, and more engaging for new and existing members alike.
Through her mentorship, technological leadership, and dedication to adult Learn to Curl programs, Rushell has made a lasting mark on her community. She embodies everything this award was created to celebrate.
Thank you, Rushell, for being a champion for growth and inclusion in curling. Congratulations!
Contributor of the Year
The Contributor of the Year Award recognizes an individual or group who has made a truly exceptional contribution to the management, development, or promotion of curling over the past season. Nominees may be paid or unpaid, but what sets them apart is their outstanding commitment to the curling community through action, leadership, and impact.
Curl PEI is proud to name Glenn Rogers of the Summerside Curling Club as the 2025 Contributor of the Year.
(L-R) ADL Representative, Jacqueline Lecky and Glenn Rogers
Glenn’s dedication to curling in Summerside and across Prince Edward Island has been nothing short of remarkable. In addition to competing provincially at the 2025 PEI Senior Championships and representing PEI at the 2024 Canadian Club Curling Championships as a member of the Blair Jay rink, Glenn has quietly been doing the behind-the-scenes work that keeps clubs running—and thriving.
A former member of the Silver Fox C&YC Management Board, Glenn currently serves on the Summerside Curling Club Executive, where he has led the Capital Grants Committee for the past two seasons. This volunteer role has demanded a tremendous amount of time and energy, from writing grant proposals and crunching financial numbers to attending meetings and advocating for the club’s future.
At the end of the 2023–24 season, the future of curling at the Silver Fox was uncertain. The club’s compressor and chiller systems were at the end of their life, and the six sheets of curling stones also needed replacement. Traditional fundraising would have taken years—but thanks to Glenn’s leadership, the club didn’t have to wait.
By leveraging a generous donation from the Rotary Club of Summerside, Glenn successfully secured more than $300,000 in federal and provincial funding for capital equipment and facility upgrades. His efforts ensured that not only could the club continue operating, but it could also offer an improved curling experience for all members. Every funding request submitted was approved—a testament to Glenn’s hard work, organization, and persuasive communication.
Throughout the process, Glenn remained positive, practical, and determined. His sense of humour and steadfast optimism gave the club’s leadership confidence that he would get the job done—and he did.
Glenn’s efforts will have a lasting impact on curling in Summerside and serve as an inspiring model of what passionate, skilled volunteerism can achieve.
Congratulations, Glenn, and thank you for everything you’ve done for your club and community!
Curl PEI President Jane DiCarlo was on hand to present the prestigious President’s Award:
(L-R) ADL Representative, Jacqueline Lecky, representing the Souris Curling Club’s Ice Crew, Travis Coffin and Curl PEI President, Jane DiCarlo
This year’s President’s Award goes to a group of volunteers whose hard work and hospitality make curling truly special in Souris.
The Souris Curling Club Ice Crew—Travis Coffin, Ian MacDonald, Allan Fay, Shane MacLure, and Norman MacIntosh—are five dedicated individuals who, every single week, transform a hockey rink into a place where curling can happen. Late Monday nights, they’re out flooding the ice by hand, and by 5:30 a.m. Tuesday morning, they’re back again to nip, pebble, and prep until the surface is as good as it can be. It’s about five hours of work—and they do it more than 20 times a season, all so curlers can enjoy one night of play each week. That level of commitment is simply outstanding.
This crew never asks for recognition, but they truly deserve it. Their dedication, attention to detail, and the way they create such a welcoming environment for everyone is something really special.
Curl PEI President Jane DiCarlo was honoured to present this year’s President’s Award to Travis, Ian, Allan, Shane, and Norman in recognition of their exceptional talent, unmatched dedication, and unwavering commitment to curling in Souris.
A special moment of the evening came when Curl PEI Secretary Travis Jones acknowledged Amy Duncan, Executive Director of Curl PEI, for her remarkable 15 years of service to the organization. Amy’s unwavering dedication and tireless efforts have been instrumental in supporting and growing the sport of curling across Prince Edward Island.
Thank you to everyone who attended and helped make the 2025 ADL Awards Celebration such a memorable event. Congratulations once again to all of the award recipients — your contributions continue to inspire our curling community!
