David Currie Jr. Panther Co-Educational Hockey Awards for Perseverance and Resolve presented to UPEI student-athletes
The 2021–22 David Currie Jr. Panther Co-Educational Hockey Awards for Perseverance and Resolve were recently presented to Chiara Esposito, UPEI Women’s Hockey, and Fil Rydstrom, UPEI Men’s Hockey. Each student received $5,000 for excellence on and off the ice.
David Currie is a proud UPEI alumnus who was an outstanding member of the UPEI Men’s Hockey team. His focus, determination, and resolve allowed him to pursue a university education while playing a sport he loved. Currie is an accomplished information technology sales account professional who has worked and built relationships with most of Canada’s Fortune 100 companies and the Government of Canada. In the winter of 2020, Currie and his partner, Debbie Trew, decided to make an extraordinary contribution to UPEI’s hockey programs by creating the awards for extraordinary young hockey players.
“I look back on my time with the UPEI Men’s Hockey team with great pride,” said Currie, “and I am grateful to the University and the program for the education and guidance that I received and draw on in my professional career. As an alumnus, I am very pleased to support the University’s hockey programs as they continue to grow and improve each year. I am particularly pleased to support the recipients of this year’s awards, outstanding student-athletes Chiara and Fil.”
Hailing from Winnipeg, Manitoba, Esposito, 18, is a rookie forward on the UPEI Women’s Hockey team and is studying kinesiology.
“My goal in life is to make a difference, and I knew UPEI would be the right place to help me along the way to achieving that goal. Winning this award is a huge boost to me, and I am very grateful to Mr. Currie and Ms. Trew for their support.”
Bruce Donaldson, head coach of the UPEI Women’s Hockey program, said that the David Currie Jr. Panther Co-Educational Hockey Awards for Perseverance and Resolve played a major role in recruiting Esposito.
“Chiara was highly sought after by several U SPORTS programs across Canada, especially in Canada West,” added Donaldson. “She is a very mature individual, communicates exceptionally well, and brings a strong set of leadership skills to the Panther program. Because of such great support from Dave Currie and Debbie Trew, we were able to secure her as a Panther.”
Born in Vallentuna, Sweden, Rydstrom, 25, is entering his fourth season of competition as a forward on the UPEI Men’s Hockey team. He is a student in the Faculty of Business.
“I am very proud and honoured to be the recipient of the David Currie Jr. Award,” said Rydstrom. “Mr. Currie and Ms. Trew have made a significant contribution to UPEI Athletics and Recreation. I know that it is through donations and scholarships like this that I can achieve my goal of getting a degree. I am very thankful for this award.”
“Fil has shown tremendous perseverance and resolve coming to a new country with a new language to pursue an undergraduate degree,” said Forbes MacPherson, head coach of the UPEI Men’s Hockey program. “Last year, adding COVID-19 to the equation made for some additional challenges. We are very proud that Fil was able to overcome all of these obstacles and is successfully navigating through these tough times.”
Donaldson and MacPherson stressed the importance of scholarships like the David Currie Jr. Panther Co-Educational Hockey Awards for Perseverance and Resolve to the University’s ability to recruit and retain top student-athletes like Esposito and Rydstrom.
“These scholarships greatly enhance our ability to recruit and keep top student-athletes so they can focus on what's important: their academic and athletic experience,” said Donaldson.
The recipients of the David Currie Jr. Panther Co-Educational Hockey Awards for Perseverance and Resolve are selected by the Director of Athletics and Recreation in consultation with the UPEI hockey coaches and approved by the UPEI Senate Committee on Scholarships and Awards.
Go Panthers Go!
