Nova Scotia’s RBC Local Hockey Leader Steve Clayton of Bridgetown was honoured June 16 at the Hockey Hall of Fame in Toronto along with the 13 other RBC Local Hockey Leaders winners from across Canada.
Clayton was flown to Toronto for the occasion, had the opportunity to meet NHL leading goal-scorer, Steven Stamkos, and was recognized for his dedication to minor hockey in a custom-designed display case unveiled during the event.
The winners were announced May 10 after a nationwide search and have earned $10,000 towards a grassroots hockey initiative in their community, and a signed Team Canada jersey.
In 2003, RBC initiated the RBC Local Hockey Leaders program to recognize individuals who dedicate their time to hockey at the community level. Over the past four years RBC Insurance has awarded more than $600,000 to grassroots hockey activities across Canada through the RBC Local Hockey Leaders program.
Steve Clayton
Steve Clayton’s impact on minor hockey in his community can be felt in many ways.
Over the past 25 years he has volunteered as chairman of the Bridgetown Community Recreation Centre, overseen ice maintenance at the arena, and organized countless tournaments for his community’s young hockey players.
By helping to found Nova Scotia’s Jr. ‘C’ Hockey League, Clayton helped foster community spirit and community pride in many of the province’s small towns. This impacts not just hockey players, but entire communities. He has also coached hundreds of Bridgetown’s young hockey players, girls and boys, from tyke to high school, to senior.
Perhaps most impressively, this RBC Local Hockey Leader has inspired others with selfless dedication to his community through hockey. This is an impact that will be felt for generations to come.
“Steve Clayton has inspired so many of us with the way he has supported and cultivated hockey in our community,” said Bridgetown’s Jody Rice in a nomination essay. “He makes us want to contribute our time as well, because he seems to truly enjoy spending all that time and effort. Before starting this nomination process I had no idea how much time this man had dedicated to our community through hockey. I knew that he was very welcoming to those of us new to minor hockey, and had an answer to all of our questions. Now I know how big his impact has been. My hat is off to Steve Clayton.”
