Image Credit: Edmonton Oilers
Ken Holland

City of Vernon awards Oilers G.M. Holland Freedom of the City

Oct 12, 2021 | 4:10 PM

VERNON, B.C. — The City of Vernon will honour one of its most famous residents with the Freedom of the City Award.

Ken Holland will be presented with the award at a special ceremony scheduled for Tuesday, Oct. 26 at 9:00 a.m. in the Vernon council chambers.

Holland, who was born in Vernon, is currently the general manager and president of hockey operations of the Edmonton Oilers, and returns to Coldstream every summer.

Freedom of the City is the highest civic tribute bestowed by the City of Vernon, by unanimous decision of city council. The honour is awarded to a distinguished person or a distinguished unit of the armed forces of Canada or another nation.

“I’m pleased to bestow this honour on Mr. Holland,” said Mayor Victor Cumming. “He has had a long and prestigious career as GM of the Detroit Red Wings and now GM of the Edmonton Oilers. He has won the Stanley Cup four times and Olympic Gold twice.”

“Throughout his career, Mr. Holland has kept roots in his hometown of Vernon and has supported the community through his generous contributions to the Vernon Jubilee Hospital, Vernon Kal Rotary Club and charitable organizations too numerous to name. He has served as an outstanding ambassador, not only for hockey, but for the City of Vernon, placing it on the hockey map around the world.”

Holland, 65, becomes the 21st recipient of the Freedom of the City Award.

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