Karissa Kirkup of the University of Manitoba Bisons women’s hockey team will be speaking at the upcoming Oil Caps awards banquet.
The Virden product and sister of Oil Caps forward Tyler Kirkup will talk about her current hockey career with the Bisons as well as her involvement with an anti-bullying program at the university.
Jamie Hodson, director of business and hockey operations for the Oil Capitals, says the organization is very honoured to have Kirkup come and speak at the banquet.
“Karissa embodies the characteristics of what is needed for our players to take the next step in their hockey careers and in life,” Hodson said. “We couldn’t be any more excited to have her come and speak at our event.”
Kirkup says she’s humbled to have been asked by the organization and loves watching the team play on the ice. The anti-bullying program is called Bisons Against Bullying. Kirkup is the co-chair of the program, which involves members of the U of M Athletic Council.
“It is an anti-bullying initiative in which volunteers go to elementary and middle schools to begin the conversation around bullying and healthy solutions to end it all together,” she said. “I’ve been involved as a volunteer now since 2015 and am really passionate about giving back to the community. Our athletes do an amazing job at interacting with the kids & I am very proud to be a part of this program.”
The annual Oil Caps awards banquet is scheduled to take place March 1 at the Sunrise Banquet Hall at Tundra Oil and Gas Place. Cocktails are at 5:30, while dinner gets underway at 6 p.m. Awards are to follow. For tickets, call 204-748-4848 or email marketing@oilcapshockey.com.