Both skipped their teams to provincial titles and earning a place at the national championship. Dolan, of the Charlottetown Curling Complex, made her 10th appearance at the nationals, registering more than 100 games in a career spanning four decades. Her team defeated the Kathy O’Rourke Rink 6-4 in extra ends to win the provincial title and earn its place at the Scotties.
Charlottetown’s MacKenzie made his fourth trip to the Brier, and second in a row, where he skipped his team to a credible 4-7 (won-lost) record. MacKenzie skipped his team of Anson Carmody, Tyler MacKenzie and Sean Ledgerwood to a provincial Tankard win over Jamie Newson. They took part in the Curl Atlantic championship and also participated in numerous off-Island curling events.
Junior male athlete of the year Brooks Roche of Montague, who plays third on the Tyler Smith team, enjoyed a fine season. Roche helped the team reach the finals at both the Pepsi P.E.I. provincial junior (under-21) championships (where he won the sportsmanship award) and the O’Connor Glass under-18 championships, in addition to winning the under-21 division at the Codiac Maritime junior bonspiel in Moncton, and earning one of two spots on the training teams for the 2015 Canada Games.
Junior female athlete award winner Veronica Smith of Breadalbane, who curls out of the Cornwall club. She led her team to a junior provincial championship, which she then followed up with a 5-4 record at the nationals. The Smith team also went 3-3 at the international junior superspiel in Ottawa. Smith was also part of the UPEI team that won the B final of the Atlantic championship, and played CIS/CCA national event, where they went 2-5.
The Alex MacFadyen Rink of James Dalton, Matthew MacDonald, Parker MacFadyen and Alex MacFadyen from the Silver Fox were named the team of the year having won the Under-18 provincial championships, and finishing third at the Atlantics. The team also finished fourth at the provincial juniors and are one of the final two teams looking to gain a berth at the 2015 Canada Games.
Shelley MacFadyen of Summerside won the volunteer award following her outstanding work with the junior program at the Silver Fox, and fellow Summerside resident Cliff Poirier was the association’s choice as the umpire of the year for his tireless service at provincial, regional and national events, which this past season included umpiring at the Canadian juniors in Liverpool, N.S.
Pat Quilty of Charlottetown won the coaching honour for his dedication in coaching two rinks from the Cornwall Club, Meghan Ching and Lauren Lenentine, to excellent seasons. He was the recipient of the team coaching award at the provincial under-16s.