Mark DeMontis is a top 3 finalist for the 2024 NHL Willie O’Ree Community Hero Award!
Mark DeMontis, founder of Canadian Blind Hockey and a member of Canada’s National Blind Hockey Team is one of the top 3 finalists of the 2024 Willie O’Ree Community Hero Award presented by Hyundai Canada! The award is presented annually “to an individual who – through the game of hockey – has positively impacted his or her community, culture or society.
The winner of the award will receive $25,000 USD towards a charity of their choice, and Mark has chosen Canadian Blind Hockey. This could be a huge potential win for our organization and the entire Blind Hockey community!
We need your votes!
Anyone in Canada can vote once a day, each day!
From Monday May 6, 2024, 1:00 p.m. ET to Sunday May 19, 2024, 11:59 p.m. ET
How to vote:
- Click on the blue bar under the nominee’s videos.
- Vote for Mark
- Enter your name, email, favourite hockey team
- There are two confirmation boxes to select, 2 last ones are optional
- Click submit!
Thank you!
Here’s a personal note from Mark:
Hey friends,
I’m honored to be named one of three finalists for the 2024 Willie O’Ree community hero award presented by Hyundai.
After losing my NHL dream unexpectedly at 17 from sight loss my family and I founded Courage Canada, now Canadian Blind Hockey, which offers programming and competitions for Canadians who are blind and partially sighted of all ages. For over 15 years we’ve worked tirelessly in communities across the country creating opportunities for children and youth with disabilities to get a shot at our nation’s game. From the early days of inline skating over 8000km for the cause to starting blind hockey programs and camps and establishing the world’s first and largest blind hockey tournament, we’ve seen firsthand the impact hockey programs have had on thousands of people with disabilities. Now we need your help to make our game even more accessible!
We encourage you to share the link with family, friends and colleagues to spread the word!
A heartfelt thank you to my brother Luca for the nomination, and to all of you for your unwavering support throughout the years. Your votes and efforts in sharing this honor with your community mean the world to me.
I am forever grateful.
Mark DeMontis
