Critchlow Humbled By Pike Award

(FREDERICTON, NB) Varsity Reds forward and team captain Cameron Critchlow was honoured with the second annual Rob Pike Award in Men’s Hockey, prior to Saturday’s game against the St. FX X-Men.

“I was completely shocked by it and very honoured,” said Critchlow. “For me to receive the award, it’s such a great honour and after meeting and speaking with the family, they all talk about how proud Rod would be.”

The award was presented by Rod’s daughter Alexandra and his sister Kathy. His son Ryan dropped the puck in a ceremonial face-off.

The Rod Pike Award is given to a Fredericton campus student who has completed at least the normal requirements for the first year of an undergraduate degree program and is returning to UNB in the fall.

The recipient must be a member of the Varsity Reds men’s hockey team, have demonstrated a special athletic ability in hockey at UNB and have successful academic performance(minimum 3.0 scholarship grade point average).

“Cam is the consummate team captain, who has a top notch competitive work ethic on the ice and can play a variety of roles to ensure team success,” say Varsity Reds head coach Gardiner MacDougall.

Along with being a top performer in the class and on the ice, MacDougall says Critchlow is one of the most popular VReds in the community. “He is an excellent ambassador and brings out the best in his teammates with his positive attitude and relentlessness on the ice.”

“For them to give back to the university and the hockey program, what can I say? They’re class acts and I’m very humbled,” said Critchlow.

Rod Pike was born and raised in Fredericton. He was a hockey fan, a hockey player and a proud Maritimer.

Pike was a member of the UNB men’s hockey team from 1976 until 1980. “He was very proud to be at UNB as a student and as a hockey player,” said Deborah.

Pike graduated from UNB in 1980, with a Bachelor of Business Administration degree and went on to establish a successful career in international banking. First, with the Royal Bank, in Atlantic Canada and Ontario. Then with MBNA Canada and Bank of America, in Ottawa and the United Kingdom.

In November of 2013, at the age of 55, Rod Pike died of cancer.

His family has established the award in his memory. “Hockey was such a big part of his life,” said Mrs. Pike. “It made perfect sense for us to honour him in this way.”