2023 ACAC Curling Players of the Year
Edmonton, AB (March 8, 2023) -
Female Player of the Year: Josie Zimmerman
The Alberta Colleges Athletic Conference (ACAC) is pleased to announce Josie Zimmerman of the University of Alberta - Augustana Vikings has been selected as the 2022-23 ACAC Female Curler of the Year.
The second-year skip, came into the season with plenty of ACAC experience following a successful rookie season the year before that saw Zimmerman and her teammates claim the Vikings Women’s Curling team a second consecutive ACAC Championship gold medal.
The Vikings, led by Zimmerman closed out the 2022-23 regional series sitting third in standings following a 4-1 Fall Regional and a 3-2 Winter Regional. However, the slate was wiped clean heading into the championship.
Zimmerman and the Vikings would finish 2023 ACAC championship pool play with a 2-1 record and eventually slide their way down the championship bracket to the gold medal game and earn a fourth consecutive ACAC medal with a silver.
Hailing from Camrose, Alberta, Zimmerman stayed close to home to curl and study for the Vikings to get her Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology.
This prestigious award was recognized at the 2023 ACAC Curling Championship hosted by Lakeland College in Vermilion, Alberta.
Male Player of the Year: Braden Peleck
The Alberta Colleges Athletic Conference (ACAC) is pleased to announce Braden Pelech of the Concordia University of Edmonton (CUE) Thunder has been selected as the 2022-23 ACAC Men’s Curling Player of the Year.
Skipping the CUE Thunder men’s curling team, Pelech had an exceptional season and was an important part of his rink’s success. Going 4-4 in the regular season, Pelech skipped his team to a 2-1 round robin at the ACAC Curling Championships to finish second in pool play. Upsetting Augustana in the first round of the playoffs, they went on to beat Augustana again in the final to win the gold medal and 2023 ACAC Conference Title.
On Pelech’s award, CUE Director of Athletics & Recreation Nate MacLellan commented: “Braden stepped into some big shoes taking over as skip of our men’s rink and he embraced the opportunity and lived up to the challenge. Braden has been a phenomenal student-athlete for the Thunder both on the ice and in the classroom, and has proven to be a leader and mentor for his teammates. He works hard at his game, and it shows in the results. I’m thrilled for Braden to receive the recognition he deserves.”
A member of the Thunder curling team since the 2018-19 season, Pelech was a part of the 2018-19 and 2019-20 Thunder men’s curling teams that won CCAA Nationals and has an ACAC bronze medal and conference championship already under his belt. Away from Concordia, Pelech was apart of the rink that won the 2021 Alberta Mixed Provincial Championships, and he represented Alberta at the 2021 Canadian Mixed Curling Championships. Pelech is in the final year of his Bachelor of Management degree and calls St. Albert, Alberta home.
This prestigious award will be recognized at the 2023 ACAC Curling Championship hosted by Lakeland College in Vermilion, Alberta.
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About the ACAC: The ACAC is the governing body for intercollegiate athletics in Alberta. Its mission is to provide competitive collegiate sport experiences, promote academic achievement and be a leader of sport development in Canada.
For more information on the ACAC, please visit our website: www.acac.ab.ca
For additional information, contact:
Mark Kosak, ACAC
Chief Executive Officer
403-875-7329
markk@acac.ab.ca
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