THUNDER BAY – A young local curler was recognized on Saturday for his sportsmanship and positive attitude on the ice.
Hunter Torkkeli was the recipient of the first annual Warren Buttars Youth Sportsmanship Award which was presented to him at the Port Arthur Curling Club.
Torkkeli has been curling since he was four and is known around the ring for his contagious smile and dedication to the sport and he said he's honored to receive this award, and explained what sportsmanship means to him.
“Honestly, it's just when you're out there having a good time, not being rude, respecting others, and just overall playing the sport as it's meant to be played,” he said.
“Right now, it's a lifelong love for sure and I'm really hoping I can stick with it for a long time because I'm having a blast doing it right now and I hope I can in the future.”
The award is named after Warren Buttars, who had a phenomenal career in the game, a highlight being curling with Rick Lang at the Briar in 1976.
Dave Buttars, son of Warren Buttars, said that the award was the right way to continue on the memory of his father.
“you don't know how to process it, and we just wanted to figure out what's the right way to remember and he loved this sport, so it just seemed like the right thing to do, right, that his name will will carry on and will live on at the curling club,” he said.
“We're going to have a trophy at Fort William Curling Club, which was our home club and here at Port Arthur as well, so it just seems like the right way to remember him and to have his name last forever at these curling clubs.”
