Carey Price was awarded the the Vezina Trophy last night in Los Vegas, at the National Hockey League‘s annual awards event.
The Vezina Trophy winner is decided by the 30 General Managers of the NHL. They vote on the best goalie of the season.
Carey Price, a hero to hockey fans in Montreal, took the opportunity in accepting his fourth award of the evening, to reflect on his upbringing.
“Be proud of your heritage”
“I would like to take a moment to encourage First Nations youth,” said Price, who grew up in Anahim Lake, British Columbia, a largely aboriginal community of around 350 people.
“People would say it’s very improbable that I’d make it to this point in my life,” he said in a minute-long speech to some of the most decorated hockey players in the world, while accepting the Vezina trophy.
“I made it here because I wasn’t discouraged. I worked hard to get here, took advantage of every opportunity that I had. And I would really like to encourage First Nations youth to be leaders in their communities. Be proud of your heritage, and don’t be discouraged from the improbable.”
He ended his speech by saying “sunachailya” — “thank you” in the Dakelh language, spoken by the Ulkatcho people, who are part of the Carrier First Nation.
Last night Carey Price was also awarded the Hart Trophy, which is for the NHL’s most valuable player decided by pro hockey writers, then the Ted Lindsay Award which is for most outstanding player, decided by players, and the Jennings Trophy for the fewest goals allowed, which Price shared with Corey Crawford of the 2015 Stanley Cup-winning Chicago Blackhawks.
“I’m just grateful,” Price said. “I’m immeasurably blessed to do what I do.”
“my sincere condolences”
Carey Price walks the talk. Last week, in a simple gesture of condolence, he touched the lives of the many people still grieving the loss of the Cree hunters killed in a cabin fire.
Just before Father’s Day, last Sunday, Jason Coonishish received a letter from Carey Price, which said he had learned Coonishish was going through a “difficult time” and that he wanted to offer his support and sincere condolences on behalf of the team, according to CBC.
Coonishish’s son Chiiwetin, 22, and his brother Emmett, 39, were found dead on April 1 along with Charlie Gunner, 37, Kevin Loon, 33, and David Jimiken, 38, in a hunting cabin that had been destroyed by fire at Bussy Lake, about 300 kilometres north of Chibougamau, Quebec.
Coonishish told CBC he was surprised and touched that Price would take the time and reach out to other First Nations when he hears their stories. He said the families are all still struggling with the losses, describing it as a roller coaster with some good days and some not so good.
Coonishish says he hopes to bring Cole, Emmett’s son, and Koby, the son of Charlie Gunner, to Montreal and to a Montreal Canadiens game to meet Price in person.
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