“Ashton is an inspiration, especially to our youth. Not everyone is going to be an elite athlete or sports figure and as parents we recognize Ashton is a role model in many other ways, such as kindness, generosity and community involvement.”
Tompsett said he sees four major ways Bell gives back to and is involved with her community. The list includes honouring her mentor Don Dietrich and continuing his legacy by hosting the Don Dietrich Memorial Road Hockey Tournament, through her donations to provincial hockey tournaments and by continuing to help kids with attending practices and Breakfast Clubs. She encourages the love of the game. She takes time out of her schedule to do all these things. Ashton is an amazing ambassador and role model for our children, he added.
Bob Caldwell has also been a mentor to Bell for many years. He began his address by reviewing her accomplishments including a provincial championship while playing minor hockey in Deloraine; captain and repeat all star with the Westman Wildcats of Manitoba AAA Female League; played on two Team Manitoba teams including Canada Winter Games; winning two silvers with Hockey Canada U18 teams and being named captain her second year; five years at Minnesota Duluth NCAA Division 1 team as captain, being awarded Defender of Year and named two-time All American which is a huge honour in college hockey; as well as winning two World Championships and one Olympic Gold Medal in Beijing 2022 as a member of Team Canada.
“To put this all into perspective, there are 90,000 female hockey players registered in Canada and Ashton was one of only 20 to make the national team.”
Bell’s most recent accomplishments include being selected eighth overall by Ottawa in the first Professional Women’s Hockey League (PWHL) draft. She is now a full-time professional athlete competing in the PWHL and is also on call for Team Canada competitions.
“She’s not done yet, in fact I think she is just warming up. As you can see Ashton has been a trailblazer in women’s hockey. It is an impressive list of achievements, and it is well earned. I do mean earned. Behind the dream of success, being an Olympian and the glory of the moment is hard work and sacrifice. Ashton’s success is earned, one day at a time on the ice or in the gym.”
Bell’s achievements are worthy of recognition but even more so is her ability to remain humble and respectful. She is a role model that youth look up to. Upon her return home from the Olympics Bell shared her gold medal with the kids and helped out at the Deloraine and Hartney breakfast clubs.
“When my granddaughter’s hockey team was handing out sweaters, Chloe quickly grabbed #21 to be just like her hero Ashton Bell.”
This year marked the third for the annual Don Dietrich Memorial Road Hockey Tournament initiated by Bell in honour of Dietrich and to raise money for minor sports in the community.
Caldwell continued by speaking directly to Bell. “Ashton you have inspired us and more importantly have inspired our youth. You are an outstanding role model and have shown us all what dedication and self-discipline can achieve. As the people of Deloraine helped mold you as a youngster, you are now molding the youngsters before you today.”
“You have given back to your home community and the portrait we are unveiling is the community’s way of saying thank you. I often say to players I coach ‘leave your footprints’. You have done that at and away from the rink.”
Being the centre of attention is miles away from Bell’s comfort zone, but she spoke from her heart with poise and sincerity.
“I am overwhelmed and was sure not expecting this. I am very fortunate to have grown up in Deloraine. My success would not have been possible without all the support of family and community. I was lucky to have great coaches and mentors who instilled in me a love of the game. Special thanks to Ace (Bob) who was with me every step of the way,” said Bell.
by JUDY WELLS, Recorder staff