GLENVIEW, Ill., Jan. 30 – With pride, the Glenview Park District announces two longtime employees have earned recognition at the state level. Longtime hockey coach Sylvain Turcotte was officially inducted into the Illinois Hockey Hall of Fame this month as part of its 15th class of inductees; while Director of Recreation Amy Watson received the Distinguished Alumnus Award from Western Illinois University.

The Distinguished Alumnus Award is granted to a graduate, who over time, has shown a focused, strong work ethic with integrity and a demonstrated desire to help others find success in the field. Watson was handed the award at the yearly Illinois Park and Recreation Association state conference. This is a very special award and places Watson in the company of other Glenview Park District staff including former Executive Director Tom Richardson and Superintendents Cheryl Deom and Bob Quill.

Sylvain Turcotte was a guest of honor at the Illinois Hockey Hall of Fame honorary banquet held January 26 at the Belvedere Banquet Hall in Elk Grove Village. Glenview Community Ice Center facility manager Jim Weides had the privilege of introducing Turcotte, saying he has meant so much to so many people in Glenview.

“The nomination and induction of Sylvain Turcotte into the Illinois Hockey Hall of Fame justifiably recognizes his individual contribution to the game of hockey and the instructional excellence he has given to so many boys and girls of all ages,” said Weides.

Sylvain Turcotte arrived in Glenview as a young man in his 20s with a lot of experience on the ice. Turcotte was born and raised in Montreal. His parents, Yvan and Micheline, enrolled him in organized hockey at age give. His earliest memories on the ice are of the outdoor rinks.

“It’s a passion. Hockey is the best game in the world, fast paced, not easy. It takes skills. It’s the hardest sport to learn. In every other sport, you have something that you already know – like running. In hockey, everything has to be taught. You have to learn how to skate, stick handling, shooting and passing,” said Turcotte.

Turcotte interviewed for a job at the Glenview Ice Center, ultimately becoming the Ice Center’s Hockey Director in 1987, a role he has held ever since.

Through the years, Turcotte has passed along his knowledge of the game to thousands of hockey players including some elite players like Brett Lebda, Tim Stapleton, Danny Richmond, Al Montoya, Ryan Hartmann, Christian Dvorak and Megan Bozek. In addition, he has coached youth hockey for 20 years at the AAA level while also coaching the Glenview Stars Mite AA teams.

What you find in Turcotte’s style of coaching coincides with the mission statement of the Illinois Hockey Hall of Fame which states, “To honor the excellence of those individuals who, through their exceptional endeavors both on and off the ice, have contributed in an extraordinary way to enhance the sport and image of hockey in Illinois.”

This year’s inductees include two players, two builders, two referees and five coaches.

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About the Glenview Park District

Established in 1927, the Glenview Park District serves over 58,000 residents including all of Glenview and Golf, small portions of Niles, Northbrook, Northfield and Skokie, and unincorporated areas beyond the village limits. The District owns, maintains and operates more than 845 acres. Connect with us at www.glenviewparks.org.

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About The Glenview Community Ice Center

The Glenview Community Ice Center, located at 1815 Landwehr Road, Glenview, IL, is a premier regional teaching center with an experienced staff and progressive programming. The Ice Center has two indoor ice rinks offering public skating, figure skating and hockey lessons, and hockey and broomball leagues.