Decorated former national women's ice hockey team star Vicki Bendus is being celebrated by the Town of Wasaga Beach with a Legacy Banner.
Her extraordinary athletic career has garnered her a trophy case full of accolades since her days in the Wasaga Stars minor hockey program. As a player, she was the winner of the Patty Kazmaier Award in 2010 as the top player in NCAA Division I women's ice hockey during her time at Mercyhurst, and later helped Canada win the 2012 IIHF Women's World Championship.
As a coach, she helped Canada's U18 women's national ice hockey team win the IIHF U18 Women's World Championship in 2014, becoming one of a select few names in Canadian history to win a IIHF title as a player and coach.
Bendus is just the second person and first woman in the town's history to earn the honour.
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After getting cut from the national team ahead of the 2014 Olympics, Bendus pursued her masters's degree in applied health sciences and kinesiology at Brock University, leading to an accomplished career as a strength and conditioning coach.
She serves on the staff of multiple programs at Brock, and was a strength and conditioning coach for the Canadian women's national ice hockey team at the 2026 Olympics. She currently serves in that role with the PWHL's Montreal Victoire.
"Vicki's journey from the Wasaga Stars to the Olympic stage is an incredible example of what can be achieved through hard work, dedication, and passion," Wasaga Beach Mayor Brian Smith said in a release. "She has represented our community with distinction throughout her career and continues to inspire young athletes across Wasaga Beach."
The Town of Wasaga Beach is holding a ceremony for Bendus on Wednesday, which is free to attend, at Wasaga Stars Arena.
SENIOR OF THE YEAR RECIPIENTS
The town is also honouring Scott Pritchard and Debbie Grant as Senior of the Year recipients, "whose volunteerism and commitment to helping others help make Wasaga Beach the strong and caring community it is today," White said.
Pritchard is known as a volunteer with the Wasaga Beach Ministerial Food Bank, dedicating more than 100 hours per week over six months to modernizing operations, strengthening volunteer support and helping stabilize services relied upon by thousands of residents.
He also helped ensure hundreds of Christmas hampers reached local families experiencing food insecurity during the holiday season, the town said.
Meanwhile, Grant Grant is being recognized for her long-standing dedication to community service. Once as chair of the Wasaga Beach Public Library Board, she helped shape library services and advancing access to learning and community programming in the town.
She also volunteers with the Georgian Good Food Box program and the Wasaga Beach Horticultural Society.
Together, this year’s honourees demonstrate the spirit of service, excellence and community pride that helps make Wasaga Beach a remarkable place to live, work, learn and play.
