SUMMERSIDE, P.E.I. - Gerard “Turk” Gallant has been a fixture in the community of Summerside both as a hockey player, coach and all-round role model. This year, the head coach of the Vegas Golden Knights led his team to the holy grail of hockey, the Stanley Cup Finals.
Gallant’s storybook performance rippled across Vegas, the hockey community, and Summerside. As a result, during the Canada Day celebrations at Green’s Shore Park on Sunday afternoon, he was awarded with the key to the city of Summerside.
“The support I get from Summerside is second to none, and it was a pretty amazing (hockey) season this year,” Gallant said at the ceremony. “I never thought we would make it to the playoffs, let alone get to the Stanley Cup Finals. It was an amazing run and unbelievable year.”
During the ceremony, it was announced a Gerard Turk Gallant leadership bursary will be presented each year to a deserving Three Oaks Senior High School graduate to help further their studies at the University of Prince Edward Island or Holland College.
The Department of Innovation will honour a student with the $1,000 leadership bursary, as of next year.
“It’s awesome about the scholarship going to the school and students. I’m proud of the P.E.I. government to do that, as well as to be given the key to the city,” commented Gallant.
“It’s great to be back home too. I just got home yesterday, and the people support me here and that’s why I come home every summer.”
