Sheldon Kennedy has been back to Swift Current before, the site of some of his most memorable moments (helping the WHL Broncos win the 1989 Memorial Cup) and his worst. His next trip to the Saskatchewan town will add to the good memories.
On Feb. 17, Kennedy will be one of the honourees for a Scotiabank Humanitarian Award for lifetime achievement. A dinner and ceremony will be held to celebrate Kennedy's efforts to create awareness for abuse victims, especially among kids and young adults.
Kennedy shook the hockey establishment by revealing he'd been abused by his former Swift Current coach Graham James, who was later sentenced to three years in jail.
On Feb. 18, the day after receiving his Humanitarian Award, Kennedy will be spotlighted at the Broncos' home game against the Saskatoon Blades. Kennedy will drop the puck at the opening face-off. Ironically, that will happen just four days before James is sentenced in a Winnipeg court for sexually abusing other young players, including former Calgary Flame Theo Fleury.
Kennedy and Fleury were teammates in Calgary.