In Memory Of A Champion

The young man to the left is Jordan Boyd. You may recall the stories about how Jordan collapsed at training camp for the QMJHL's Acadie-Bathurst Titan and never regained consciousness. His loss hit his hometown of Bedford, Nova Scotia hard as the young man appeared to have a promising hockey career ahead of him. HBIC certainly wishes the town of Bedford and, more importantly, his family and friends in Bedford and on the Titan hockey team all the best as they recover from this tragedy. Tonight, though, there was a fantastic effort made on Jordan's behalf that will help kids follow their dreams. With that being said, let's end the week with some good news.

Tonight at Brewster's Bar and Grill in Bedford, hundreds of people turned out in honour of Jordan to help raise money for a scholarship in Jordan's name. The outpouring of support was simply amazing, and I want to commend those who made it down to Brewster's Bar and Grill to help out with their auction bids as well as all those who donated prizes for the auction to help raise the necessary cash to get this scholarship going. Amazing work, people, and HBIC salutes you!

Among the items available was a hockey stick singed by Halifax Mooseheads star Nathan MacKinnon, an autographed 2010 Olympic Team Canada jersey featuring signatures of all the players on that roster, a team-autographed San Jose Sharks jersey, an autographed Joffrey Lupul Maple Leafs jersey, and a Sidney Crosby-autographed limited edition pencil sketch of Crosby by artist Rob Scott. There were gift baskets, bikes, autographed memorabilia from other sports leagues and famous players, a pile of tickets to various NHL games and sports events, and, of course, a Jordan Boyd jersey autographed by the Acadie-Bathurst Titan team. In other words, this auction had something for everyone, and all the proceeds would go to helping students achieve their dreams.

Kody Cuvelier, boyfriend of Jordan's older sister, organized the auction, and was impressed by the generosity of the many people who bid on the auction items. "People aren't out here to get bargains," he told Global News' Julia Wong. "They're out here to support a really good cause."

The idea for the scholarship came about when looking back on Jordan's days in school. Greg Dobson, Jordan's older brother, told Global News, "Throughout school, all his school projects had to do with hockey, something about his favourite player or role model. Since he was little, it was hockey, hockey, hockey."

"The scholarships are for someone who is just a good well-rounded kid like Jordan. Jordan was great in school. He worked hard. He worked very hard in hockey," Cuvelier added. "If we can help two or three families every year through this scholarship fund, what better way to help Jordan’s legacy live on?"

According to organizers, there will be "one scholarship worth $500 to $1,000 to a hockey player in the Bedford Minor Hockey Association and another worth between $1,000 and $3,000 to a graduating grade 12 student and hockey player within Hockey Nova Scotia". Those amounts are incredible, and will go a long way in furthering the dreams of two young hockey players so that they can pursue their dreams. I'm not sure there's a better way to honour Jordan than to reward a hard-working student an opportunity. While I didn't know him, I'm quite certain Jordan would be proud of this scholarship, and former Bedford teammate Ryan Yould thinks the same. "I think Jordan would be amazed by all this," he said. "He would be down here with a smile."

Perhaps the best news of all is that organizers expected to raise between $20,000 and $25,000 with the auction this evening. That kind of support goes an incredibly long way, and I hope that the organizers not only get that amount, but surpass it easily. The best news of all? You can help if you like! There is a website set up in memory of Jordan Boyd where you can make a donation in the young man's name. I encourage you to do so if you have the means as your donation will go towards helping a student in Nova Scotia get closer to his or her dream.

I want to congratulate Kody Cuvelier, Greg Dobson, and the Boyd family for the success this auction had this evening. Your work in getting this scholarship off the ground in Jordan's name will make his legacy a lasting one for many, many years to come. I want to applaud the people of Bedford for rallying behind this event and making the night a massive success. I also want to applaud all who donated items to the auction as your generosity has certainly helped young hockey players in Nova Scotia. Again, if you have the means, please donate what you can if you believe in this cause.

Jordan Boyd's time on this planet was cut short far too early. But he will live on through this scholarship as he helps kids follow their dreams just like he followed his. And that, readers, is the mark of a champion.

Until next time, keep your sticks on the ice!