The Pattison Media 2024 Team of the Year. (Red Deer Rebels/ Taylor Lachance)

By rdnewsNOW staff

Best of the best

Central Sport announces 2024 Sport Award Winners

Mar 8, 2025 | 10:30 PM

Central Sport unveiled the 2024 Sport Awards winners on Saturday.

Prior to the Red Deer Rebels game against the Swift Current Broncos at the Centrium all five award winners took to the ice to be honoured in front of the home crowd.

“We were extremely impressed with all the nominees this year and it just goes to show the longstanding commitment to sport in the community and we only wish to keep highlighting and encouraging those individuals year after year,” said Trevor Thomas, CEO of Central Sport.

2024 Pattison Media Team of the Year – U18 AAA Red Deer CarStar Braves

The U18AAA Red Deer CarStar Braves are the 2024 Team of the Year. It was a historic season in 2024 for the Braves, who captured the U18 National Baseball Championship, the first U18 AAA team from the city ever to win a national title. They were also just the fourth team from Alberta since 1978 to claim the title. Over the four-day tournament at nationals, the Braves were dominant and went undefeated in all six games. They were also the Alberta provincial champions.

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(Red Deer Rebels/ Taylor Lachance)

Red Deer Advocate Female Athlete of the Year – Maddison Pearman

(Red Deer Rebels/ Taylor Lachance)

Maddison Pearman is the Red Deer Advocate Female Athlete of the Year. The 29-year-old had a memorable 2024 season representing Canada internationally in long track speed skating. One of Pearman’s most significant accomplishments came on the world stage, where she captured gold at the 2024 ISU World Speed Skating Championships in the Team Sprint in Calgary in front of the home crowd. Less than a month before that, Pearman was on the podium at the ISU Four Continents Championships in Salt Lake City, winning bronze in the Team Sprint. In that race, Pearman also helped the Canadian team set a new national record. Maddison has long been a strong representative for the Red Deer Central Lions Speed Skating Club and a positive role model in the community through her commitment to sport. Other nominees for the award included: Sandra Garcia-Bernal, Molly Simpson and Rebecca Smith.

Red Deer Advocate Male Athlete of the Year – Nicholas Bennett

Nicholas Bennett is the Red Deer Advocate Male Athlete of the Year. The 21-year-old brought Canadians to their feet this summer, as he represented the Red Deer Catalina Swim Club at the 2024 Paralympics in Paris. Bennett won three medals in Paris, including gold in the 100 metre SB14 breaststroke and gold in the 200 metre SM14 individual medley. He also earned a silver medal in the 200 metre S14 freestyle. He became the first Canadian para swimmer to win multiple gold medals at a single game since 2004 and the first to claim three since 2012. Bennett was selected as Canada’s co-flag bearer at the Paralympic closing ceremonies. Other nominees for the award included Tyson DeZutter and Nathan Flewelling.

(Red Deer Rebels/ Taylor Lachance)

2024 Lifetime Sport Achievement Award – Ray Frotten

Ray Frotten is the 2024 Lifetime Sport Achievement Award winner. Ray was the co-creator and co-founder of Red Deer Roller Hockey, which is still going strong, 25 years later. He was the chief operator for Red Deer Roller Hockey in its initial years and was also a coach and organizer. In addition, he also served as a coach at various levels in Red Deer Minor Hockey, Red Deer Minor Baseball and was a volunteer for the Red Deer Lions Speed Skating Club.

(Red Deer Rebels/ Taylor Lachance)

Kendall Dunkle Minor Coach of the Year – Justin Jarmolicz

Justin Jarmolicz is the Kendall Dunkle Minor Coach of the Year, presented by the Red Deer Fire Department. The award is given to a coach who volunteered in 2024 coaching athletes 16 and under, is a role model, who shows and encourages leadership, good sportsmanship and enthusiasm for their sport. Jarmolicz has been a coach with Red Deer Minor Hockey U15AAA Rebels since 2015 and has developed one of the most successful programs in the province. The long-time dedicated minor hockey helped the Rebels to a bronze medal win at the Alberta Elite Hockey League U15 AAA provincial championships.

(Red Deer Rebels/ Taylor Lachance)

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