The Winkler Flyers are pleased to announce Olympic Gold Medalist Jennifer Botterill will be the quest speaker of the Winkler Flyers Hall of Fame Dinner, November 10th at Quality Inn in Winkler. At that time, goaltender Duane Derksen, who played for the Flyers in 1980’s before going on to play 16 years of College and Professional Hockey will be inducted as the newest member of the Flyers Hall of Fame.
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Jennifer Botterill (Guest Speaker)
Through sustainable high performance and perspective, three-‐time Olympic Gold Medalist Jennifer Botterill has become one of Canada’s most successful athletes and the epitome of a champion. Joining Canada’s Olympic Hockey Team in 1998 at the age of 18 – its youngest member – Jennifer has gone on to win three gold medals and one silver, as well as five World Championships where she was twice named MVP.
Born and raised in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Jennifer grew up in a family of high achievers: her mother, Doreen, was a two-‐time Olympian in speed skating; her father, Cal, is a sports psychologist; and her brother, Jason, is a three-‐time World Junior Hockey Champion. Jennifer graduated with honours from Harvard and, as a member of the university’s hockey team concurrent with her studies, she was the only two-‐time winner of the Patty Kazmaier Award for the top player in women’s college hockey.
Currently a contributing broadcaster for Rogers Sportsnet and Hometown Hockey with Ron MacLean, Jennifer is also an in-‐demand motivational keynote speaker. Embracing the chance to connect with her audience and share some of the many lessons she has learned throughout her own pursuit of excellence, Jennifer’s message is delivered in a sincere and heartfelt way. With the belief that everyone can “Excel In Life,” she expresses the importance of being mindful in maintaining a ‘big picture’ perspective, especially in careers that require continual success with little room for recovery, from Olympic athletes to physicians.
She has shared her story at numerous high profile events for top organizations across the country, including Free The Children, RBC, Coca Cola, CAA and the Government of Canada. An inspiration on and off the ice, Jennifer’s insights are invaluable and her enthusiasm for turning life’s challenges into opportunities is always golden.
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Duane Derksen (Winkler Flyers Hall of Fame Inductee)
After growing up in Morden, Manitoba, Duane Derksen went on to play three seasons with the Winkler Flyers from 1985 to 1988. After concluding his junior hockey career, he was drafted into the NHL by the Washington Capitals who took him in the third round, 57th overall in 1988.
Derksen played four years with the University of Wisconsin (NCAA Div I) helping the Badgers win the Frozen Four in 1990. Over the next 12 years, Derksen played at various levels of professional hockey in the American Hockey League, East Coast Hockey League, International Hockey League and professional leagues in Finland and Germany.
“When I received the call from Ken Pearson I was literally flushed with emotions and could barely carry the rest of the conversation without pause,” said Derksen.
“It is such a great honour and I am truly humbled to say the least. The Winkler Flyers organization gave me an opportunity to carry out my dream of one day making it to college and the NHL. It was a privilege that I will never forget. I am really looking forward to the HOF weekend and to reconnect with the great community of Winkler/Morden where I grew up.”
Current Winkler Flyers’ Governor Dan Giesbrecht was a coach with the Flyers during Duane’s playing career and had these memories of the Flyers Hall of Famer.
“I remember Duane Derksen as a very skilled and personable athlete who was a fierce competitor and a great team player who hated to lose. He battled as hard during practices as he would during games. He hated it when any shot beat and he always owned his crease. No teammate or foe entered that space without him paying a price. He always gave the Flyers a chance to win and his teammates respected him for that. The Flyer fans loved for his outstanding but colorful play and did not mind when on occasion Duane got involved in some extracurricular activity. Duane possesses that special gift that all superior athletes and successful people have – the drive to succeed and become the best they could be in whatever they do. It is great to see that Duane has successfully transferred this gift into becoming a thriving businessman and a contributing citizen. Duane Derksen has definitely earned the privilege of being inducted into the Winkler Flyers Hall of Fame on November 10, 2018. Congratulations Duane! You are one of the many success stories of Winkler Flyer Hockey.”
The Flyers Hall of Fame Banquet will take place at the Quality Inn in Winkler on Saturday, November 10th. Cocktails start at 5:30pm with Dinner at 6:30pm. Tickets are $125 per person or $850 per table (8 people per table). A fundraising auction will also take place as part of the event.
For more info please call 204-325-9411 or email [email protected] or contact any Winkler Flyers board member.
Derksen will join Dan Giesbrecht (Builder), Peter Derksen (Coach), Ed Belfour (Player), Steve Harder (Player), Wade Sambrook (Player), and the entire 1991-1992 Winkler Flyers Championship team in the Hall of Fame.