The Delta Beausejour was our host hotel and made us feel right at home. A special thank you goes out to Sharon Thivierge for a beautiful luncheon and an afternoon we will never forget.

Also, we like to thank the Moncton Wildcats and their fans for their support and on-ice presentation to President, Ted Nolan.  From the bottom of our hearts we like to thank our host Mr. Robert Irving and your wonderful community.

Former Moncton Wildcats coach Ted Nolan received a hero’s welcome yesterday in Metro yesterday.

He was honoured at a luncheon that raised over $50,000 for his charitable foundation, which provides scholarships to aboriginal women who want to make a difference in the world.

A full house of local business leaders, mayors, politicians and aboriginal leaders gathered at the Delta Beauséjour Hotel for the $75-a-plate dinner that included an auction of hockey jerseys autographed by former Wildcats, and NHL stars like Mario Lemieux and Sidney Crosby. The auction alone brought in over $11,000, with all funds going to the Ted Nolan Foundation.

The scholarship program is named for Nolan’s mother, Rose, who was killed by a drunk driver in 1981. They are awarded each year to aboriginal women who want to better themselves. Recipients of the awards have gone on to earn their degrees and careers giving back to their communities in such professions as doctors, speech pathologists, teachers and lawyers.

Jessie Denny of the Eskasoni First Nation said she had always dreamed of becoming a lawyer and the scholarship helped her achieve that dream. She hopes the program will inspire other young aboriginal women to continue their education.

Moncton Wildcats owner Robert K. Irving, who is a member of the foundation’s board of directors, said Nolan stands as an example of someone with a passion for success and perseverance, while caring for youth has been a fundamental part of his life.

Nolan, who coached the Wildcats to their first Quebec Major Junior Hockey League championship in 2005-06, was humbled by the reception and said he was happy to be back in the city that rejuvenated his coaching career. But he was diplomatic when asked whether he’d like to come back to Moncton to coach again.

“You never know what life will bring you,” he said. “I never thought I’d be here in the first place so I could be back again, who knows? But it’s great to be back, especially with the relationship that we’ve created with Mr. (Robert) Irving and our families. If I never came back that’s something they could never take away.”

Robert Irving said the Wildcats have a solid coach in Danny Flynn and there are no plans to bring Ted Nolan back.

“Danny is doing a great job for us and our focus right now is winning the President’s Cup and the Memorial Cup this year. But Teddy and I have an ongoing relationship and we always keep in contact with each other.”

Nolan is expected to be cheering for the Wildcats tonight as they host the Acadie-Bathurst Titan. Tonight’s game will feature a march of young hockey players from the Timbits league. The Coliseum hosts the 20th annual Timbits tournament this weekend.

Yesterday’s luncheon paid tribute to Nolan, who rose out of a small Aboriginal community in Ontario to play professional hockey in the 1980s. He played with the Rochester Americans, the Pittsburgh Penguins and the Detroit Red Wings. Forced off the ice by injuries, he became a coach. He was named NHL Coach of the Year with the Buffalo Sabres in 1996-97. After one year in Moncton, he left to take the job as head coach of the New York Islanders in 2006-07 and brought the NHL team to Moncton for a training camp that year. He is now vice-president of hockey operations for the Rochester Americans of the American Hockey League.

New Brunswick Lieutenant-Governor Graydon Nicholas, who hails from the Tobique First Nation, said Nolan lived a dream of many Canadians by playing in the NHL.

“He emerged as one of the most important aboriginal persons of this country,” Nicholas said of Nolan.

During the luncheon, the national anthem was sung in Mi’kmaq by Holly Jane Sock of Elsipogtog and entertainment was provided by young dancers from the Maliseet Nation of St. Mary’s.

Moncton auctioneer Steve Liptay took to the stage and auctioned off hockey jerseys autographed by former Wildcats J.F. Damphousse, Jason Demers, Corey Crawford, Jason Demers, Brad Marchand, Andrew MacDonald, Keith Yandle and Steve Bernier, which sold for between $375 and $675 each. An autographed Mario Lemieux jersey sold for $550. A signed and framed Sidney Crosby Pittsburgh Penguins jersey sold for $2,000, while the autographed Sidney Crosby Timbits jersey sold for $1,600.

But the highest bid of the day was $3,000 for a 25-year-old Rochester Americans Jersey which Nolan signed for new owner Jeff Taylor of Moncton.

Nick Javor, vice-president of corporate affairs for Tim Hortons, announced that the Tim Hortons Children’s Foundation is working with the Ted Nolan Foundation to provide spaces for aboriginal youth in its leadership camps. This year, 50 youth from the St. Mary’s First Nation will be invited to attend the camp in Tatamagouche.

Nolan said the scholarship fund has grown tremendously over the years and fundraisers like this one will make it possible to help more young women. Seven scholarships are awarded each year, with recipients chosen from 50 to 100 applicants from across the country.

“I wish I could help more of them,” he said in an interview after the luncheon. “I wouldn’t be the man that I am today without the love and guidance and support of my mother, and hopefully we can help other young women inspire their children and make them stronger also.”

Nolan said he was humbled by the reception given him in Moncton but realizes that he has become a symbol of inspiration to many Canadians.

“If I can inspire and encourage at least one person, that’s what it’s all about.”

But even though he has coached hockey teams to championships, he said it is still hard to find the right words to inspire players who start to lose their hope when they are on the bad side of the scoreboard and the clock is running out.

“I think the power of belief is so important. I really think that if you continue to do the right things on a consistent basis over and over and over again, it doesn’t matter what sport, it doesn’t matter the outcome, good things happen.”

The children who attend the camp will participate in programming adapted for Aboriginal youth from the Tim Horton Children’s Foundation Youth Leadership Program, an experience designed to cultivate leadership skills, teamwork and independence through various wilderness activities. Participants will also have the opportunity to hear how to treat others through the Teachings of the Seven Grandfathers explained by Aboriginal leaders.

“We are thrilled to serve even more children and the Aboriginal community through our growing partnership with the Ted Nolan Foundation,” said Dave Newnham, vice-president of the Tim Horton Children’s Foundation. “Last year more than 900 kids took part in our five-year Youth Leadership Program. Whether they spend five-days or five-years with us, these young leadership campers will discover themselves and their potential, making a lasting difference for them, their families and their community.”

In addition to the pilot program in Atlantic Canada this fall, the partnership between the two foundations will see First Nation youth from Sault Ste. Marie First Nation sponsored by the Tim Horton Children’s Foundation for the next four years. The first of these camps took place at the Tim Horton Children’s Foundation Camp, Tim Horton Onondaga Farms, in St George, Ontariolast October.

“I could not be more excited with the opportunity to share the Leadership Camp experience with even more young people this fall,” said Nolan. “We are so grateful to the Tim Horton Children’s Foundation for inviting youth from St. Mary’s First Nation to participate in a Leadership Camp program. Together, we are achieving our foundation’s goal by helping these young people learn valuable life lessons through an experience they might not otherwise have had.”

Nolan, a former NHL Coach of the Year and native of Sault Ste. Marie First Nation, is vice president of hockey operations for the AHL Rochester Americans. He established his charitable foundation in 2004 to promote healthy lifestyles among First Nations youth.

The Ted Nolan Foundation is a registered charity that has been working since 2004 to establish leadership programs for First Nations youth. The Foundation combines the traditions, values and wisdom of the First Nations with the latest in training skills from corporate, educational, health, sports and recreation to encourage Aboriginal youth to pursue academic growth and foster healthy lifestyles.

The Tim Horton Children’s Foundation is a non-profit charitable organization committed to providing an enriched and memorable camp experience to economically disadvantaged children. Since 1975, more than 120,000 youth have attended one of six Foundation camps across North America. Through the Community Partnership Program, the Foundation partners with community agencies and groups that provide services, support, and opportunities to children from economically disadvantaged homes to welcome thousands of children to experience its first-class facilities and programs, free of charge. Tim Horton Children’s Camp is situated in Tatamagouche, Nova Scotia. The site encompasses 245 acres of ocean-front property on the Northumberland Strait, 130 kilometers north of Halifax.

Moncton Wildcats owner Robert Irving gained more than a head coach when he hired Ted Nolan. He also gained a close friend.

Nolan spent just one season in Moncton, but took on celebrity status here as the bench boss who led the Wildcats to their first Quebec Major Junior Hockey League championship in 2005-06.

Nolan is looking to make a different kind of impact as he prepares to return to Moncton. The Ted Nolan Foundation will hold its second annual general meeting here this week and that includes a noon luncheon tomorrow at the Delta Beausejour Hotel.

“Ted’s leadership in the Aboriginal community is clearly looked upon in a very strong way,” said Irving. “He’s very dedicated through his foundation to helping Aboriginal youth and women try to better themselves in life.

There are still tickets available for tomorrow’s luncheon and they’re on sale at the Wildcats office or by calling 877-304-6652. It’s $75 per ticket or $750 for a 10-seat table. A tax receipt will be issued less cost of the meal.

The public is also invited to attend a silent auction tomorrow at 11 a.m. at the Delta Beausejour Hotel.

The Ted Nolan Foundation will award two $4,000 scholarships to New Brunswick First Nations women who want to further their education. The remainder of the money raised at the silent auction and luncheon will go toward developing community level programs for First Nations youth.

On his website (www.tednolanfoundation.com), Nolan notes that many young First Nations people grow up in substandard housing and that they lack self-esteem and lose hope. His registered charity promotes healthy lifestyle choices for Aboriginal youth.

Nolan, raised on the Garden River Reserve near Sault Ste. Marie, Ont., played and coached in the National Hockey League. He was named NHL Coach of the Year with the Buffalo Sabres in 1996-97.

For many years, he has operated First Nations hockey camps and done motivational speaking across the country. His mother died after being hit by a drunk driver in 1981 and he honours her memory by awarding scholarships to First Nations women in her name.

“Ted sees that if young Aboriginal kids are given a chance they can do some great things,” said Irving. “He asked me to be part of the board of directors for his foundation and I was honoured to accept his invitation.

“It’s an opportunity to give out scholarships to Aboriginal women so they can further their education and work toward whatever they want to do in society. It’s also an opportunity to send positive messages to First Nations youth.”

Nolan left Moncton to take over as head coach of the NHL’s New York Islanders in 2006-07. He’s now vice-president of hockey operations for the Rochester Americans of the American Hockey League.

The Wildcats will send their bus to the St. Mary’s First Nation in Fredericton on Saturday and bring back a youth group. Nolan will talk to the kids on Saturday afternoon and they will attend the Wildcats game that night.

“I respect Ted for his leadership and hockey ability and what he was able to do for us that season in Moncton,” said Irving. “We went all the way to the Memorial Cup final. Ted and I are very close and we keep in touch on a regular basis.

“He knows the game of hockey very well. He’s still always willing to help the Wildcats in terms of giving us a few tips on players out there.”

“We extended an invitation for Ted’s foundation to have its annual general meeting and fundraising luncheon in Moncton. His foundation is for a great cause and we’re very pleased to offer support by helping raise money.”

This is a reminder that there will be a special fundraising luncheon at noon on Friday, January 8th at the Delta Beausejour Hotel (Moncton New Brunswick). The goal of the luncheon is to raise two $4000.00 scholarships for Aboriginal women in New Brunswick.

In addition a large silent auction will be held starting at 11am. Tickets are $75.00 each or $750.00 for a table of 10. To book your seat at this special event call 1-877- 304-6652.

Everything you need to know about tonight’s torch relay visit can be viewed in this article by Carol Martin of SooToday.com.

We wish you a very happy Holiday Season and a New Year filled with peace and prosperity.

From all of us at the Ted Nolan Foundation have a very Merry Christmas.

One of the many programs Tim Hortons utilizes to help send kids to camp is through the funding from public donations collected year-round through counter coin boxes located at every Tim Hortons outlet. Please know your generosity is greatly appreciated and that you are a making a difference in the lives of children everywhere.

So please, if you have some loose change, donate to the counter coin boxes at your local Tim Hortons and help send kids to camp.

Ted Nolan gained celebrity status here as the head coach who guided the Moncton Wildcats to the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League championship in 2005-06.

He will be looking to make a different kind of impact when he returns here next month. The Ted Nolan Foundation will hold its second annual general meeting in Moncton from Jan. 8-10 and there will be a fundraising luncheon on Jan. 8 at the Delta Beausejour Hotel.

There are 600 tickets available for the luncheon and they’re on sale at the Wildcats office or by calling 877-304-6652. It’s $75 per ticket or $750 for a 10-seat table. A tax receipt will be issued less cost of meal.

The Ted Nolan Foundation will award two $4,000 scholarships to New Brunswick First Nations women who wish to complete their education. The remainder of the money raised at the luncheon will go toward developing programs at the community level for First Nations youth.

“The Ted Nolan Foundation is having its national meeting in Moncton so we wanted to lend a hand by raising some money,” said Sharon Thivierge, a senior management person with Irving Group Moncton who’s the event chair for the luncheon.

“Ted did a great job with the Wildcats and he was very popular in the community. This is our way to recognize him and the great cause that his foundation supports.”

The Ted Nolan Foundation is looking to develop community level programs for First Nations youth, raise scholarship funds for First Nations women who want to complete their education and help develop future Aboriginal leaders.

Nolan’s mother, Rose Nolan, died after being hit by a drunk driver in 1981.

Nolan is honouring the memory of his mother by awarding scholarships to First Nations women in her name.

On his website (www.tednolanfoundation.com), Nolan notes that many young First Nations people grow up in substandard housing, lack self esteem and lose hope.

His registered charity promotes healthy lifestyle choices for Aboriginal youth.

Nolan, raised on the Garden River Reserve near Sault Ste. Marie, Ont., played and coached in the National Hockey League.

He was named NHL Coach of the Year with the Buffalo Sabres in 1996-97.

For many years, he has operated First Nations hockey camps and done motivational speaking across the country.

He’s now vice-president hockey operations for the Rochester Americans of the American Hockey League.

There will be a silent auction on Jan. 8 at 11 a.m. at the Delta Beausejour Hotel.

All proceeds go to the Ted Nolan Foundation.

There will be hockey and non-hockey items available, including a 1993 Timbit minor hockey jersey signed by Sidney Crosby.

The Wildcats will send their bus to the St. Mary’s First Nation in Fredericton on Jan. 9.

“We’ll bring around 20 First Nations youth back to Moncton,” said Thivierge. “Ted will talk to them in the afternoon and they will attend the Wildcats game that night. Ted wants to reach out to the younger kids. It’s a great cause and we’re happy to be able to help him.”

“When assembling a successful team you need talented, knowledgeable and compassionate people” acknowledged Ted and we just made our team that much better when the board approved this move.

On behalf of all the board members “Welcome”!