The Rick Blight Leadership in Action Scholarship for Athletes

The Rick Blight Leadership in Action Scholarship for Athletes seeks to recognize athletes who have demonstrated both a dedication to leadership in their sport and an ongoing investment in the mental wellness of themselves, their sports team, or their community. Born in Manitoba in 1955, Rick Blight had a long career as an exceptional athlete, selected by the Vancouver Canucks 10th overall in the 1st round of the 1975 NHL draft. Rick experienced both highs and lows over his career, as often is the case with high-performance athletes. He was a top scorer for the Canucks during his first three years in the NHL, leading the team in scoring in the ’76-’77 season. Rick played in the NHL for another three years before travelling to Switzerland to continue his career in the minors after a knee injury. Rick retired from professional hockey in 1983 and began a career as a stockbroker before moving back to Manitoba to manage his family’s tractor/implement business. He was a prominent and well-liked businessman in the community. Rick never gave up his love of sports and excelled in both curling and golf. He also continued his involvement in hockey, coaching his son’s teams for a number of years.