Winter Celebration 2012
To launch the program, His Excellency received from Gary Bettman, NHL Commissioner, the 2012 All-Star jersey autographed by the 16 youth from the Boys and Girls Club of Ottawa.
Sat, 01/28/2012 - 12:00 Sgt Ronald Duchesne, Rideau Hall GG2012-0015-001
On Saturday, January 28, 2012, Their Excellencies the Right Honourable David Johnston, Governor General of Canada, and Mrs. Sharon Johnston hosted the annual Winter Celebration, where visitors can come experience Nordic sports and traditions through a variety of free outdoor activities presented on the Rideau Hall grounds. Prior to the event, the Governor General met with volunteers and staff in the cafeteria.
Sat, 01/28/2012 - 12:00 MCpl Dany Veillette, Rideau Hall GG2012-0014-001
Norm Flynn, Executive Director of H.E.R.O.S., talked about the premise of H.E.R.O.S. which is to empower children of diverse ethnicities from socio-economically challenged neighbourhoods through ice hockey and education. H.E.R.O.S. uses ice hockey as a catalyst to promote positive behaviour by focusing on skills development, self-esteem enhancement, team building and leadership training.
Sat, 01/28/2012 - 12:00 Sgt Ronald Duchesne, Rideau Hall GG2012-0015-011
NHL Ambassador Willie O'Ree also talked about the benefits of the program.
Sat, 01/28/2012 - 12:00 Sgt Ronald Duchesne, Rideau Hall GG2012-0015-012
His Excellency put on his hockey gear and joined the youth from the Boys and Girls Club of Ottawa during their drills.
Sat, 01/28/2012 - 12:00 Sgt Ronald Duchesne, Rideau Hall GG2012-0015-014
Along with Rick Mercer (right), Their Excellencies stopped at the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands to visit the display on the evolution of speed skates over the years.
Sat, 01/28/2012 - 12:00 Pvt Ariane Montambeault, Rideau Hall GG2012-0014-051
Her Excellency embarked on a short, thrilling sled ride on the grounds of Rideau Hall.
Sat, 01/28/2012 - 12:00 Pvt Ariane Montambeault, Rideau Hall GG2012-0014-052
Her Excellency couldn't resist some delicious taffy on snow.
Sat, 01/28/2012 - 12:00 Pvt Ariane Montambeault, Rideau Hall GG2012-0014-053
His Excellency also met with students of Nunavut Sivuniksavut who shared their Inuit culture and language to the public through drumming, dancing and throat singing.
Sat, 01/28/2012 - 12:00 Pvt Ariane Montambeault, Rideau Hall GG2012-0014-054
Her Excellency Sharon Johnston tasted a hot beverage offered by Her Excellency Else Berit Eikeland, Ambassador of the Kingdom of Norway (middle).
Sat, 01/28/2012 - 12:00 Pvt Ariane Montambeault, Rideau Hall GG2012-0014-055
Her Excellency met with members of the Nakkertok Cross-Country Ski Club, aged seven to 12, who provided information and demonstrations on cross-country skiing.
Sat, 01/28/2012 - 12:00 Pvt Ariane Montambeault, Rideau Hall GG2012-0014-058
NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman also delivered a speech.
Sat, 01/28/2012 - 12:00 Sgt Ronald Duchesne, Rideau Hall GG2012-0015-008
His Excellency delivered remarks on the importance of the hockey program: "Given my own experience with and affection for hockey, I am thrilled that this program encourages children from all backgrounds to lace up their skates to help build their skills and confidence. I played hockey for many years, and being a member of a team encouraged me to do better and to study harder. I hope the children participating in this program will feel that same encouragement."
Sat, 01/28/2012 - 12:00 Sgt Ronald Duchesne, Rideau Hall GG2012-0015-007
The official mascot of the Ottawa Senators Hockey Club was also in attendance!
Sat, 01/28/2012 - 12:00 Sgt Ronald Duchesne, Rideau Hall GG2012-0015-004
The Governor General then headed outside to meet with partners who provided activities to the public. One of them was sculptor Armando Baisis who carved a magnificient Diamond Jubilee ice sculpture on the occasion of Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee.
Sat, 01/28/2012 - 12:00 MCpl Dany Veillette, Rideau Hall GG2012-0014-002
The Governor General and His Excellency Risto Piipponen, Ambassador of the Republic of Finland, raced each other on a kick sled.
Sat, 01/28/2012 - 12:00 MCpl Dany Veillette, Rideau Hall GG2012-0014-003
His Excellency was also introduced to traditional Inuit winter activities.
Sat, 01/28/2012 - 12:00 MCpl Dany Veillette, Rideau Hall GG2012-0014-005
Their Excellencies had the pleasure of welcoming CBC Television Host Rick Mercer to Rideau Hall. Together they enjoyed a snowshoeing excursion on the grounds.
Sat, 01/28/2012 - 12:00 MCpl Dany Veillette, Rideau Hall GG2012-0014-006
His Excellency said a few words to the crowd gathered around the rink.
Sat, 01/28/2012 - 12:00 MCpl Dany Veillette, Rideau Hall GG2012-0014-008
The master of ceremonies for this event was George Stroumboulopoulos, host of CBC Television’s “George Stroumboulopoulos Tonight.”
Sat, 01/28/2012 - 12:00 MCpl Dany Veillette, Rideau Hall GG2012-0014-009
To launch the program, the Governor General conducted the official puck-drop.
Sat, 01/28/2012 - 12:00 MCpl Dany Veillette, Rideau Hall GG2012-0014-010
He took the opportunity to chat with them and give them some hockey tips.
Sat, 01/28/2012 - 12:00 Sgt Ronald Duchesne, Rideau Hall GG2012-0015-015
On the occasion of Winter Celebration and the 2012 NHL All-Star Weekend, the Governor General was joined by Gary Bettman, NHL Commissioner; Eugene Melnyk Owner, Governor and Chairman of the Ottawa Senators Hockey Club; Willie E. O’Ree, NHL pioneer, Hockey is for Everyone TM ambassador, and Member of the Order of Canada; and Norm Flynn, Executive Director of Hockey Education Reaching Out Society (H.E.R.O.S.), to launch the first-ever NHL Hockey is for Everyone TM Program Center in Ottawa. They were greeted by 16 local youngsters from the Boys and Girls Club of Ottawa (aged 10 to 12) who will benefit from this new program.
Sat, 01/28/2012 - 12:00 Sgt Ronald Duchesne, Rideau Hall GG2012-0015-003
Along with Spartacat and other guests, His Excellency then walked over to the Rideau Hall outdoor skating rink to watch the youth from the Boys and Girls Club of Ottawa lace up and hit the ice with some hockey drills.
Sat, 01/28/2012 - 12:00 Pvt Ariane Montambeault, Rideau Hall GG2012-0014-059