“There aren’t many of us (males) but still to be selected for the athlete of the year is an honor, I’m proud of myself,” said Hazelton, who will skate his way through the summer in Ontario.
He is also nominated for the Ricoh male individual athlete of the year award presented by Sport Nova Scotia, and will attend the awards presentation June 5 in Halifax.
Hazelton attended the Ricoh awards last year and said it was crazy but a lot of fun.
The young Digby skater began his skating career at the age of three through the CanSkate program. This past year he placed first in the novice men category at the BMO Skate Canada Challenge championships, and finished 11th overall at the BMO Skate Canada Junior Nationals.
“I’m off until June 28, which is when I start skating in Barrie, Ont., five days a week, all summer basically until mid-August,” said Hazelton.
This will be his sixth summer in Ontario and he will work on his skating skills such as smoothness and upper and lower body strength.
He is also listed on Skate Canada Nova Scotia’s webpage as a 2010 Skate Canada program assistant award nominee.
