Melfort Mustangs' captain Leith Olafson lines up against Nipawin Hawks' captain Maguire Ratzlaff, both of whom have been named SJHL/RBC Community Ambassadors, for a ceremonial puckdrop (photo courtesy/Broad Leaf Media, Facebook)

By Ben Tompkins

RBC Community Ambasadors

Mustangs’ Olafson, Hawks’ Ratzlaff, Broncos’ Cooke named SJHL Community Ambassadors

Dec 19, 2023 | 1:12 PM

The Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League and RBC have partnered up for the sixth time, to highlight the league’s athletes making a difference within their community.

One player from each club who has shown ‘exemplary commitment to their community, and is a strong leader both on and off the ice’ has been named to the 12-member RBC Community Ambassador team.

“RBC’s decades-long partnership with the SJHL reflects our shared enthusiasm for amateur hockey and giving back to communities, both of which are part of the connective fibre here on the Prairies,” explained Dale Rohovich, RBC Regional Vice President, Northern Saskatchewan, Manitoba and Nunavut.

“The RBC Community Ambassador program is just one way to recognize and reward the care and leadership of the recipients in a pay-it-forward fashion. Thank you and congratulations to all the players celebrated by their teams with this special acknowledgement.”

RBC Community Ambassadors are recognized for making a difference and giving back to the communities where they play, as each ambassador is celebrated at an RBC Game Night and will be honoured by a donation from RBC to a school in their local community.

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This year’s ambassadors include Humboldt Broncos’ defenceman Chase Cooke, as well as Nipawin Hawks’ and Melfort Mustangs’ captains, Maguire Ratzlaff and Leith Olafson.

“It’s exciting, having been in Melfort for three years, it’s really nice to get some recognition for being out in the community and helping out. I think it’s a big responsibility, but also a big honour,” Olafson told northeastNOW.

“I think that it’ll be a fun night to get some recognition and hopefully, get some money to help out with a school in Melfort… the kids in the community are great and they support us so much, so it’s awesome to give back to them and help out with their school.”

SJHL fans will be able to vote online for the RBC Community Ambassador of their choice to be honoured as the recipient of the RBC Community Award at the end of the SJHL regular season.

This additional honour is accompanied by an additional donation from RBC in the player’s name to a school in their local community.

Last year’s RBC Community Award winner was former Yorkton Terriers’ captain, Clay Sleeva, who because of his award was able to donate $2,500 to Canora Composite High School.

“Winning the RBC Community Ambassador Award was one of the highlights of last hockey season,” said Sleeva, who is now a member of the Melfort Mustangs.

“I enjoy giving back to the community, especially when they support us so much, so to see all the votes and support from the fans meant the world. You don’t have to win the award either, just being a part of the community and interacting with the kids and fans shows the character and person you are.”

This year’s RBC Community Ambassadors will be recognized at RBC Game Nights taking place between Jan. 6 and March 6.

Humboldt will hold its game night on Wednesday, March 6, while Nipawin and Melfort will hold theirs on Wednesday, Feb. 28 and Friday, Feb. 23, respectively.

“Competition is always good, so I am excited to work towards the $2,500 and hopefully, I can show that I’m one of the best for the community out of the league,” Olafson added.

Fans can get to know all of the RBC Community Ambassadors on the SJHL’s social media pages, where videos and stories will be shared of each nominee on the day of their team’s game night.

The SJHL website will also have such things, as well as being the place to vote for this year’s RBC Community Ambassador.

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Ben.Tompkins@pattisonmedia.com

On X @BenTompkins_8