Sherwood Park Crusaders defenseman Brennan McDonnell has been named the winner of the Crusaders Community Award.
McDonnell is the third player to win the award since it was introduced in the 2016/17 season. The first recipients were joint-winners Deklan Whillians and Chase Anderson, with Connor Hart claiming last year’s trophy.
The Community Crusader award was created to recognize a member of the Sherwood Park Crusaders who goes above and beyond for both the organization and Strathcona County as a whole.
McDonnell has actively engaged in volunteering with junior and elementary schools in Sherwood Park, reading to classes and handing out tickets to students so they attend Crusaders games.
The Florida native also works with minor hockey teams in and around Sherwood Park Arena, often attending practices as a volunteer coach. He has participated in Brentwood Elementary School?s annual Teachers vs. Students game, as well as coming out to help in Robin Hood Association?s Sledge Hockey Day activities.
Earlier this year, McDonnell was the recipient of the AJHL RBC Community Award and was given $1,000 to donate to a charity or organization of his choice. He chose to give the money to T.D. Baker School, located in the Mill Woods area of Edmonton.
Each team in the AJHL nominates a player to be a RBC community ambassador based on his community work. A total of sixteen athletes form the AJHL RBC Community Ambassador team.
One member of the team is awarded the RBC Community Award, and a scholarship will be given to one player to be used for post-secondary education.
The organization would like to thank Brennan for his continuous work within Strathcona County and for the positive impact he has made on and off the ice.