Goodwill Ambassador Jari Kurri

It was a truly Finnish-Canadian moment: Some of Finland and Canada's best known ice hockey personalities gathered in Helsinki to celebrate both of our countries? national winter pastimes.

On September 16, the Canadian Ambassador to Finland, Ms. Adele Dion, invited the representatives of the Finnish and Canadian ice hockey communities for a reception at her residence in Munkkiniemi. The legendary Montreal Canadiens goalie and current Maple Leafs coach Ken Dryden gave a touching address on the many things that make Canada and Finland naturally close to each other. Predictably, ice hockey was an important part of that cultural cluster of similarities. The importance of the sport in the national psyches of Canada and Finland was considered to be self-evident.

The highlight of the reception was the naming of Jari Kurri as Goodwill Ambassador of the Finnish-Canadian Society (FCS). The FCS Goodwill Ambassador 2003 was the first time this award has been bestowed. The FCS chose Kurri because his achievements are a symbol of some of the great synergies between Canada and Finland. His long career as a hockey player in Canada allowed him to reach the summit of ice hockey success. Mr. Kurri helped the Edmonton Oilers to dominate the NHL in the 1980s, with five Stanley Cup victories.

By his long association with Canada and his historic contribution to a sport of common fascination for both Finns and Canadians, Jari Kurri promoted friendship and mutual understanding between the two countries. Jari Kurri finished his career as the highest scoring European-born player in NHL history, with totals of 601 goals, 797 assists, and 1,398 points. Jari Kurri's great career and ability enabled him to become an icon for thousands of fans and young players, both in Finland and throughout Canada.

With his usual humility, Jari Kurri accepted the honour by saying that he proudly accepted his "ambassadorship" as a symbol of what makes both countries great. Later that evening, Helsinki's Jokerit and Toronto's Maple Leafs faced off at Hartwall Areena. Their meeting ended with a Maple Leafs victory and a good promotion for the NHL in Finland.

FCS Goodwill Ambassador Award

The board of the FCS decided in late 2002 to launch an initiative to name an annual goodwill ambassador as part of its important cultural mission. The FCS wishes to acknowledge and reward great individuals who have made their mark in some area of Finnish-Canadian life. The nominee's background and achievements should be living examples of how Finnish and Canadian experiences and culture can mix to create something exceptional. Through this initiative, the society wishes to mobilize and inspire all those in Finland and in Canada who wish to celebrate the friendship between our nations and develop new avenues of cooperation.

By Andre Chaker

December 03

• Around the world
on two wheels
• A maple leaf in the presidential palace
• A view of manufactured landscapes

• Visitor from Canada: Owen Rose
• Finnish-Canadian trainee exchange
• Membership survey
• Canada Day 2003 
• Chairman's update
• Canbits and Finnbits
• Caisa International Fair