Sheldon Kennedy facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Sheldon Kennedy
CM AOE OM
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Born | June 15, 1969 Brandon, Manitoba, Canada
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Sheldon Kennedy (born June 15, 1969) is a Canadian former professional ice hockey player. He played for teams like the Detroit Red Wings, Boston Bruins, and Calgary Flames in the National Hockey League (NHL). Kennedy was chosen by the Red Wings in the 1988 NHL Draft.
While playing for the Swift Current Broncos in the Western Hockey League (WHL), he helped his team win the 1989 Memorial Cup. He also played for Canada in the World Junior Ice Hockey Championships in 1988 and 1989. In 1988, he helped Canada win a gold medal. Sheldon Kennedy was born in Brandon, Manitoba, and grew up in Elkhorn, Manitoba.
In 2020, Hockey Canada honored him with the Order of Hockey in Canada.
Contents
Sheldon Kennedy's Hockey Journey
Starting in Junior Hockey
Sheldon Kennedy began his hockey career in 1985 with the Winnipeg South Blues. This team played in the Manitoba Junior Hockey League (MJHL). Later, he joined the Swift Current Broncos in the Western Hockey League (WHL) for the 1986–87 season.
He stayed with the Broncos for the rest of his junior career. He helped them win the 1989 Memorial Cup, which is a big championship for junior hockey teams. Sheldon was even named to the Memorial Cup All-Star Team. He was also part of the WHL's Eastern Conference Second All-Star Team.
In December 1986, Sheldon Kennedy was a passenger in the Swift Current Broncos bus crash. This sad event took the lives of four team members.
Playing as a Professional
The Detroit Red Wings picked Sheldon Kennedy in the fourth round of the 1988 National Hockey League (NHL) Entry Draft. His first professional season was split between the Red Wings and their minor league team, the Adirondack Red Wings. He scored two goals and had seven assists in 20 NHL games that year.
For the next four seasons, Kennedy played for both the Red Wings and their minor league team. After the 1993–94 season, the Winnipeg Jets got him from the Red Wings. However, he didn't play for the Jets because of an NHL lock-out.
The Calgary Flames then picked him up. Kennedy played two seasons in Calgary. In 1996, he signed with the Boston Bruins but also spent time with their minor league team, the Providence Bruins. The 1996–97 season was his last in the NHL. He later played for the Manitoba Moose and for EV Landshut in Germany.
Helping Children and Communities
Sheldon Kennedy has dedicated his life after hockey to helping prevent harm to children. He also works to educate people about these important issues.
He co-owns a company called Respect Group Inc. with his business partner, Wayne McNeil. This company provides training to many people. The training helps people in sports and schools learn how to prevent bullying, harassment, and abuse. It gives them tools to make a positive difference.
Recognized for His Work
Sheldon Kennedy has received many honors for his important work:
- On June 15, 2012, he received an Honorary Doctorate from the University of Fraser Valley. This was for his work supporting children and raising awareness.
- On June 8, 2015, the University of Calgary gave him an Honorary Doctor of Laws degree. This recognized his amazing dedication to preventing violence and abuse in Canada.
- On April 13, 2013, the Calgary Child Advocacy Centre was renamed the Sheldon Kennedy Child Advocacy Centre. This center helps children and their families by bringing together many different professionals. These include police, health services, and social workers. They all work together to help children who have been harmed. Sheldon Kennedy is a board member at this center.
- On December 26, 2014, he was named a Member of the Order of Canada. This is one of Canada's highest honors.
- He received the Lincoln Alexander Outstanding Leader Award at the University of Guelph in March 2015.
- In 2016, Kennedy was appointed to the Alberta Order of Excellence.
- In 2020, he was inducted into the Manitoba Sports Hall of Fame.
- He received the Order of Sport in 2020/21. This means he was inducted into Canada's Sports Hall of Fame for his work as a "builder" (someone who helps grow and improve sports).
About His Life
A TV movie about Sheldon Kennedy's life, called The Sheldon Kennedy Story, was shown on CTV in 1999. Jonathan Scarfe played Sheldon in the movie. In 2006, he wrote his autobiography, Why I Didn't Say Anything - The Sheldon Kennedy Story.
