WINNIPEG — Two of Winnipeg’s brightest hockey stars were honoured at city hall on Tuesday morning, as Ottawa forward Mark Stone and Colorado goalie Calvin Pickard received the Mayors Award for Sports Excellence after their gold-medal finish at the 2016 World Hockey Championships in Russia.
Stone finished the tournament tied for second on the team with 10 points in 10 games, while Pickard was 2-0 in the crease, allowing just one goal while also posting a shutout.
“This [gold-medal performance] is of course great for Winnipeg, it’s great for Canada and for our pride in our community,” Mayor Brian Bowman said in reference to the duo’s accomplishment.
For Stone, it was his second piece of international hardware, to go along with a bronze medal at the 2012 World Junior Hockey Championships. Pickard on the other hand, picked up his first — a distinction he was appreciative of.
“It’s always nice to be home. To extend my season there and go over to Russia and represent my country, it’s definitely a special honour and to come back with gold and to bring it back to Winnipeg, it’s definitely nice,” Pickard said.