Dec. 17, 2024
Photo credit: Mike Bernard/Hockey Canada
Tyrone Henry reached two important milestones in his Team Canada career at the 2024 Para Ice Hockey World Championships. He not only played in his 100th international game, he won his second World Championship as Canada went undefeated at worlds and defeated the United States in the gold medal game.
Henry, a defenseman and alternate team captain, recorded six assists in the tournament. In the World Championship final the defence held USA to one goal, setting the stage for a 2-1 victory. Henry also just finished competing at the 2024 Para Cup where Canada finished with the silver medal, and was a member of the silver medal winning squad at the International Para Hockey Cup in October.
This is Tyrone’s second time receiving the Ottawa Sports Award as Athlete of the Year. The two-time Paralympian was first named Athlete of the Year in 2022.
Photo by Lintao Zhang/International Skating Union via Getty Images
The incredible Ivanie Blondin keeps impressing. The 34-year old won three medals at the world single-distance, long-track speed skating championships, including a gold in the team sprint. Blondin won also silver medals in the team pursuit and mass start at the Worlds.
Blondin was the 2024 Canadian Champion in three individual events, winning gold in the 1000m, 1500m, and the 3000m. At the first World Cup event of the 2024-25 season, she won gold in the 3000m. At the same event she made history by winning Canada’s first-ever medal (a bronze), in the mixed gender relay, a new discipline that was officially added to the World Cup circuit last season.
Her versatility and longevity have allowed the three-time Olympian to win her sixth Ottawa Sports Award as Athlete of the Year, tying Kristina Groves for the most major awards won in an athlete’s career. Blondin has won the award in 2023, 2022 (co-winner), 2021 (co-winner), 2019, and 2014.
*
The Coaches of the Year and Teams of the Year were also announced on December 17. The national championship-winning Gloucester Celtic FC Men’s Premier team and Carleton Ravens Women’s Basketball team were selected as Teams of the Year while Carleton Women’s Basketball Coach Dani Sinclair and Ottawa South United soccer coach David Fox are the Coach of the Year award winners.
The recipients of the Ottawa Sports Awards Lifetime Awards and Mayor’s Cup for 2024 were announced on December 12, with longstanding contributors to the sports of rhythmic gymnastics, curling, athletics, cricket, and field hockey being honoured.
These remarkable members of the community will be celebrated at the 2024 Ottawa Sports Awards Dinner, which will be held on February 5, 2025 at the Infinity Convention Centre. Tickets for the event are on sale now.
Further award announcements will include the individual sport award winners in over 70 sports, over 50 championship-winning teams from local clubs, and the Spirit of Sport Award, Special Recognition, and Community Sport Endowment recipients.
*
The Ottawa Sports Awards honours the finest in the Ottawa amateur sports community. Click here to view our past winners!