Vegreville Vipers Honour Life and Legacy of Courtney Yakimetz

Vegreville Vipers Honour Life and Legacy of Courtney Yakimetz

Michelle Pinon - News Advertiser

The Vegreville Vipers leadership team presented a special edition jersey to Mike Yakimetz and his family on Nov. 19 to honour his late wife Courtney who passed away on June 14, 2021 from cancer.

“We honoured one of many brave women, Courtney Yakimetz for her courageous battle with cancer,” said Vipers General Manager Bryan Brown.

The jersey was sponsored in part by Alison Smook, Willow Kuhn and Chantelle Banack. There was an official presentation of the jersey and ceremonial puck drop with Mike, and his three children Drayson, Dallyn and Genevieve.

Ceremonial face-off.

(Jem’s Snapshots/Submitted Photo)

Brown said he didn’t personally know Courtney, but his wife Lori-Ann Cohoe did as well as many of the players and their families. Brown said the disease hits close to home as both of his parents and many aunts and uncles died from cancer.

He said cancer can be caught at early stages and cured, and urges people to take care of things early on. “We believe if people feel weak or something isn’t right to go in and get checked out before it becomes too late.”

Funds were also collected at the game in memory of Courtney, and all proceeds will go to the Canadian Cancer Society.