Yvan Cournoyer appointed to Order of Canada
The Roadrunner, who won 10 Stanley Cups with the Montreal Canadiens, is among 61 newly appointed or promoted members.
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Yvan Cournoyer, the legendary Montreal Canadiens winger who won 10 Stanley Cups in 16 seasons with the Habs, has been appointed an officer of the Order of Canada.
The 82-year-old skated in 968 games for Montreal, earning the nickname "Roadrunner" for his speed. He compiled 428 goals and 435 assists en route to Hockey Hall of Fame induction in 1982. The honour was announced Friday among 61 people newly appointed to or promoted within the Order of Canada.
Also promoted to companion of the Order—a higher rank—is soccer star Christine Sinclair. Governor General Mary Simon called her "one of the most influential athletes in Canadian history" and "a powerful advocate for the advancement of women's sport" who has inspired generations of athletes globally.
Actor Michael J. Fox, diagnosed with Parkinson's disease in 1991 at age 29, is also being promoted to companion for his "powerful global advocacy and unflinching honesty about Parkinson's." Fox founded the Michael J. Fox Foundation, which has raised $2.5 billion for research into the disease. "What it seems to me this represents is being an ambassador or a representative of Canada: representing Canada in the things I do," Fox said of the honour. "Canada's sense of community, its awareness of fellow Canadians and fellow people, and their situation is something I relate to."
The appointments are the last tranche chosen by Governor General Mary Simon, who was succeeded in the role by Louise Arbour earlier this month.