Over 170 Yukon athletes, coaches, and mission staff traveled to Prince Edward Island from February 18 to March 5 to compete at the 2023 Canada Winter Games. It was a successful two weeks of personal bests, historic moments and podium finishes as Team Yukon competed in 15 of the 20 scheduled sports.
Team Yukon earned three medals, with biathletes Cole Germain and Cheyenne Tirschmann earning bronze in the single mixed relay in Week 1. In Week 2, judoka Jaymi Hinchey earned bronze in the 57 kg division, and figure skater Michael Sumner earned gold in the Special Olympics Level 3 category.
Sumner also won the Pat Lechelt award for demonstrating all the principles of True Sport, a recognized approach to values-based sport. It was the second time a Yukoner has been recognized for the award.
Many firsts were achieved at the games, with the men’s and women’s hockey teams recording their best-ever finishes, 10th and 11th respectively. More history was made at the rink when Gavin McKenna scored 29 points to break the men’s scoring record. The previous record was 27 recorded by Francois Methot in 1997 and tied by Kelsey Tessier in 2007.
The mixed doubles curling team of Bayly Scoffin and Nico Fecteau were part of history as one of the first draws to kick off the first-ever mixed doubles event at a Canada Games.
Team Yukon athletes celebrated their achievements at Sunday's closing ceremonies, where they were led by Hinchey and Sumner, who were selected as flagbearers for their standout performances in Week 2.
It has been a joy watching Team Yukon at the 2023 Canada Winter Games. We have such a strong community of sport across the territory, and occasions like these – where we have the opportunity to witness so many historic moments - help inspire the next generation of athletes and support staff. The Government of Yukon is proud to support our young athletes on the national stage, and we look forward to seeing where sport takes them next.
Minister of Community Services, Richard Mostyn
I am beyond proud of Team Yukon’s athletes, coaches and mission staff. Congratulations to our medal winners and also the athletes who hit their personal goals and competed to the best of their ability. Thank you to the Host Society and volunteers for the wonderful Games. For two weeks we were all islanders.
Chef de Mission, Trevor Twardochleb
Alternating between summer and winter, the Canada Games are the country’s largest amateur multi-sport event.
The Government of Yukon provided $150,000 to support Team Yukon’s attendance at the 2023 Canada Winter Games.
Michael Sumner becomes the second Yukoner to win the Pat Lechelt award. At the 2022 Summer Games in Niagara, volleyball player Arcel Siosan won in the award’s inaugural year.
Team Yukon competed in 15 of 20 sports, including mixed doubles curling which made its Games debut in 2023.
The Yukon’s medal count at the 2019 Canada Winter Games in Red Deer, Alberta was one.
The next Canada Games will be in St. John’s, Newfoundland in 2025.
Renée Francoeur
Cabinet Communications
867-334-9194
renee.francoeur@yukon.ca
John Tonin
Communications, Community Services
867-334-5816
john.tonin@yukon.ca