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U SPORTS unveils Canada West nominees for 2023 U SPORTS Athletes of the Year Awards

16 May 2023, 12:55 PM 16 May 2023, 12:55 PM

U SPORTS Staff

U SPORTS proudly announced Tuesday the Canada West (CW) finalists for the 2023 Lois and Doug Mitchell U SPORTS Athletes of the Year Awards on May 24 at the McDougall Centre in Calgary.

The Canada West male and female Athlete of the Year nominees are Jordan Canham (Alberta, men’s volleyball) and Tatum Amy (Mount Royal, women’s hockey).

The Atlantic University Sports (AUS) finalists were announced Monday, and the remaining four nominees will be unveiled this week with the Réseau du sport étudiant du Québec (RSEQ) on Wednesday and Ontario University Athletics (OUA) on Thursday.

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Canada West Nominees

Tatum Amy, Mount Royal

Tatum Amy

Tatum_Amy_HS.png (573 KB)

Mount Royal University
Hockey (Forward)
Birtle, Man.
Fifth Year
Health and Physical Education

Tatum Amy, a fifth-year forward for the Mount Royal Cougars women’s hockey team, is the 2022-23 Canada West Female Athlete of the Year and the conference’s nominee for the 2022-23 U SPORTS Female Athlete of the Year award.

The Cougars’ captain finished her post-secondary career in dream fashion, leading her squad to their first U SPORTS national championship. She was a difference maker all season, leading U SPORTS in assists with 24 and topping Canada West scoring with 31 points. For her exceptional leadership on the ice, Amy was named a Canada West First Team All-Star, Canada West Women’s Hockey Player of the Year and the recipient of the Canada West Sportsmanship and Ability Award. At the U SPORTS level she also received accolades as a Second Team All-Canadian.

“No one put the team first more than she did, and no one believed in her teammates the way she did. Her hockey IQ, patience and poise with the puck separate her from her peers and allow her to play in every situation,” said Scott Rivett, the Cougars’ head coach. “She is a difference-maker in every aspect of the game and came through with big plays, in big moments throughout the season.”

While her on-ice achievements are many, her off-ice accomplishments are even more impressive. She has excelled in the classroom as a U SPORTS Academic All-Canadian and has devoted herself to giving back to her community, volunteering with several non-profit organizations. Her outstanding efforts off the ice were recognized with the Canada West Student-Athlete Community Service Award as well as Mount Royal’s Female Community Leadership Award.

“Tatum has been a member of our women's hockey program for six years. During this time, she has grown as an individual to where she truly exemplifies what it means to be a Cougar and what our institution and department values are. She has displayed outstanding leadership skills in the classroom, on the ice, and in the community. She has a high level of expectation for herself in all that she does, and this resonates with her teammates,” said Karla Karch, the Mount Royal director of athletics and recreation. “Every challenge and obstacle that Tatum faced she overcame, including an injury this January that saw her dreams of being a member of the 2023 women's hockey FISU team taken away. She puts her team first, personal accolades aside all for the betterment of the hockey program. This paid off for her (and the team) as they won Mount Royal's first gold medal at the national championship. Tatum is set to graduate this spring and through her sport of hockey, she truly is ready to take on her next journey in life.”

Jordan Canham, Alberta

Jordan Canham

University of Alberta
Volleyball (Outside Hitter)
Avonmore, Ont.
Fourth Year
Education

Jordan Canham, a fourth-year outside hitter with the Alberta Golden Bears, is the 2022-23 Canada West Male Athlete of the Year and their nominee for the 2022-23 U SPORTS Male Athlete of the Year award. These honours came after Canham completed one of the best individual seasons of any Golden Bears volleyball player, leading him to be named the 2023 Canada West and U SPORTS Men’s Volleyball Player of the Year.

Canham was the catalyst for a Bears team that dominated Canada West, finishing atop the standings with a 22-2 conference record. He carried his stellar play into the post-season as the Bears captured their 14th conference title in program history before placing fourth at the U SPORTS National Championship in Hamilton. His stellar play at nationals was recognized with a U SPORTS Tournament All-Star nod for the second-straight season.

The fourth-year outside hitter led the nation with 49 aces, setting a new Golden Bears single-season record from the service line. His 99 career aces also set a new Alberta school record. Each of his kill, ace, and point totals led the Bears, with his dig and block numbers placing him second on a deep roster.

"This is a very well-deserved award for Jordan. He has put a lot of time, energy and teamwork into being the force he is through Canada West. He's a very mature player which is showcased through his growth as a leader and his high-level understanding of what it takes to be successful as an individual and, more importantly, as a member of a team at this level,” said Brock Davidiuk, the Golden Bears head coach. “I think what is additionally impressive about Jordan is that it's very likely he will continue to improve once he begins the next chapter of his career at the international level. I don't think we've seen the best of Jordan yet. Through his work ethic, passion and mind, I'm looking forward to the heights he will reach in the coming years.”

Canham is also active in the local community and is an Academic All-Canadian in the Faculty of Education.

“Jordan embodies everything great about university athletics: energy, consistency, enthusiasm, intelligence, and tremendous athletic ability. He is a fantastic student-athlete and will be a strong alumni who represents the University of Alberta at the highest levels of his sport next season,” said Katie Spriggs, the interim athletic director at the University of Alberta.

This year's event pays homage to the 30 years of the Awards (formerly known as the Howard Mackie Awards, BLG Awards and Lieutenant Governor Awards) and will also celebrate the life of the program's founder, Doug Mitchell, who passed away last July at 83.

The winners of the Lois and Doug Mitchell Awards will be selected in a secret ballot vote on May 23 by the Trustees of the Canadian Athletic Foundation, a not-for-profit board founded 31 years ago by Doug Mitchell. The winners will be unveiled the following evening during a reception at McDougall Centre.

All eight (8) nominees will be in attendance in Calgary, with media availability occurring on May 24.

Media wishing to attend the awards ceremony or who would like to request an interview can submit an accreditation and interview request by clicking here.

Awards

U SPORTS unveils AUS nominees for 2023 U SPORTS Athletes of the Year Awards

15 May 2023, 12:55 PM 15 May 2023, 12:55 PM

U SPORTS Staff

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U SPORTS unveils Canada West nominees for 2023 U SPORTS Athletes of the Year Awards

Canada West Nominees

Tatum Amy

Jordan Canham

U SPORTS unveils AUS nominees for 2023 U SPORTS Athletes of the Year Awards