Hodgson wins community hero award

CALGARY — Kevin Hodgson is already a hero for his HEROS work.

But for his efforts, the Calgarian is now a Willie O’ree Community Hero Award winner. Hodgson, who is the executive director of HEROS (Hockey Education Reaching Out Society) — which empowers at-risk youth — and SUPERHEROS — which provides boys and girls living with physical and cognitive challenges with a safe and inclusive environment as well as an adapted on-ice curriculum — was saluted with this year’s National Hockey League honour Wednesday night.

“People who know me know I’m not lost for words, but I’m struggling right now,” said Hodgson, fighting back tears moments after NHL star P.K. Subban announced him as the winner via streaming video.

The award is given “to an individual who – through the sport of hockey – has positively impacted his or her community, culture or society.”

“This is what hockey can do,” continued Hodgson, praising the work of HEROS and SUPERHEROS along with that of the two other finalists for the award — Renee Hess (Black Girl Hockey Club) and Howard Smith (Steel City Icebergs, Pittsburgh Warriors). “I think it shows the power of sport. Sport has the ability to bring people together that otherwise on paper may not have anything in common, and we all share this incredible passion for a game that has the ability to do so much for kids who need it.”