By Sam Cortes, Communications Coordinator
The month of June has been unforgettable for Manitobans performing on the international stage, particularly in golf and hockey.
First, to the greens.
On Sunday, June 11, Manitobans were glued to their televisions and computers, watching and re-watching one of the most impressive putts in PGA history, as Winnipeg-born Nick Taylor sank a 72-footer to claim the Canadian Open Championship.
The celebratory moment invoked memories of George Knudson. The Winnipeg-born golfer won eight PGA tournaments and five CPGA Championships in his legendary career. He also captured trophies across the globe and was named Canada’s Golfer of the Century by the Royal Canadian Golf Association. Knudson was inducted into the Manitoba Sports Hall of Fame in 1988.
Just a couple days later, Manitoba once again was in the spotlight, this time on the ice, as the Vegas Golden Knights captured the Stanley Cup for the first time in the franchise’s history. Winnipeg’s Mark Stone served as the team’s captain and in this capacity was the first player on his team to hoist the Cup; but he wasn’t the first Manitoban to do so in the NHL.
We will all vividly remember when Jonathan Toews (Winnipeg) was presented the toughest championship in sports three times—2010, 2013 and 2015—as the captain of the Chicago Blackhawks and, those of an older vintage will recall Flin Flon’s Bobby Clarke (1987 inductee), who captained the Flyers to back to back Stanley Cup wins in 1974 and 1975. Another Manitoban, however, pre-date both of these stars. In 1940, Art Coulter (2009) led the New York Rangers to the NHL’s championship. Coulter was the second captain in Rangers’ history, succeeding Bill Cook, and led the team to its first of two Stanley Cups.
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