The Blackfalds Community Group on Facebook is promoting a local Blackfalds athlete for national recognition as Youth Athlete of the Year.
Draeton, a goaltender with the Red Deer Rustlers Hockey Club, is currently sitting in third place in the online contest, which ends Thursday (August 21) at 7:00 p.m. PDT.
If named Youth Athlete of the Year Draeton will be featured in a 3BRAND advertisement in Sports Illustrated and receive a $25,000 prize.
Draeton is one of 10 athletes nominated, and votes are being cast daily for free or additional votes by donation.
Each U.S. dollar donated equals one vote, with funds going to the V Foundation for Cancer Research and Russell Wilson and Ciara’s Why Not You Foundation.
The V Foundation, founded in 1993 by ESPN and late North Carolina State basketball coach Jim Valvano, supports cancer research.
The Why Not You Foundation, launched in 2014, focuses on fighting poverty through education, youth empowerment, children’s health and food security initiatives.
The contest profile describes Draeton as an athlete who “lives for sports" and that while hockey is his first love, he participates in multiple sports, is known for his respectful character, and helps keep up team morale.
With just two days left in voting, supporters in Blackfalds and Central Alberta are waiting to see who wins the vote.
Votes can be placed through the link from the Youth Athlete of the Year website.
**With information from the Blackfalds Community Group on Facebook & the Youth Athlete of the Year website.
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