VOTE: Chatham-Kent Male Athlete of the Year Final Four
After more than 1200 unique voters had their say last week, the vote for Chatham-Kent’s Male Athlete of the Year for 2013 is down to four.
Here are the four finalists in alphabetical order:
- Max Allin: Wilfrid Laurier Golden Hawks, OUA, Chatham – Allin was Canada’s top University scorer in men’s basketball in 2012-2013, being named a CIS second team all-star, and OUA first team all-star.
- Dane Fox: Erie Otters, OHL, Thamesville – Fox is currently the OHL’s leading goal scorer. Fox has been in the top five in scoring all season and was the November Player of the Month.
- Chad Laprise: Adrenaline Training Center, MMA, Chatham – Laprise won his lone bout of 2013 against Derek Boyle at XFFC, remaining 7-0 on his professional career, and qualified to appear on the UFC’s The Ultimate Fighter series.
- Derek Whitson: Team Canada, Sledge Hockey/Soccer, Chatham – Whitson won gold with Canada’s sledge hockey team at the IPC World Sledge Ice Hockey Championships, Four Nations Tournament, and World Sledge Hockey Challenge in 2013. He also won a bronze as Canada’s soccer goalie at the Defi sportif AlterGo competition.
Vote by using the poll below. As well, an additional vote will be counted for each comment supporting one of the final four:
[polldaddy poll=”7652380″]
All the nominees are great choices, but one stands out as not only a great athlete but also an exceptional role-model, community volunteer and Olympic Gold medalist. DEREK WHITSON,
Derek, your positivism is infectious. Thanks for taking time to teach my granddaughter baseball and sledge.
Agree!
Dane Fox
go Derek
Derek Was A Team Member Of My Hockey Team And Was The Best Player On The Team… He Has Pushed Me To Be A Better Goalie And Person..
Good athlete, better person!
always gives back way more than he gets
Derek Whitson!!!!!
Derek Whitson
Max Allin Ftw
Go Derek!
absolutely amazing
Derek!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Derek Whitson
Not only a great athlete in sledge,soccer ,golf baseball etc but a great person as wll
Big red lipstick kisses to Derek
DEREK WHITSON!!!
Derek is a great role model who carries a positive attitude in all that he does! He gives back to the Chatham community through his volunteer work or just stopping to say hello to all the people in the area whom have been part of his life! Well done lad!
Derek Whitson!!!!!
Derek Whitson – way to go!!!
Derek Whitson not only a great athlete but also an exceptional role-model, community volunteer and Olympic Gold medalist. Way To Go Derek we are very proud of you.
Banger banger banger
Derek Whitson 🙂
Derek Whitson
Derek Whitson
Go Derek
Derek Whitson…three gold medals in 2013 1. Team Canada – World Sledge Championship (in Korea) 2. Four Nations Cup (in Russia) 3. World Sledge Challenge (in Toronto on TSN Dec. 7, 2013)
Well done Derek. Hometown boy does good!!!!!!!!!!
Derek is just an amazing person. his sport dedication is brilliant. and he is just a lovely guy as well. Derek ftw
Way to go Derek, you are already a winner!
Derek Whitson
a fitting honour
always giving back far more than he gets
Dane Fox
i vote for Max Allin
All great athletes! Nod goes to Max Allin…
Derek, you’ve got my vote! 🙂
Dane fox
Dane Fox
Derek Whitson!!!!
Dane Fox
Derek Whitson
Dane FOX
Vote for Derek!!!!!
Vote for Derek!!!!
Dane Fox !!!
Derek Whitson gets my vote.
Derek Whitson- he may wear the number 4 but he is number 1 in our hearts
Derek Witson is an awesome athlete
Dane Fox for sure! Absolutely amazing hockey player. Best player on best Jr team in Canada
DEREK WHITSON all the way!
Derek brings dignity to the sport through his distinctive sportsmanship! I’m proud to have him represent Canada at Sochi.
DEREK WHITSON is definitely the number one choice.
Go derek go
Bring home the GOLD Derek !
Dane Fox – A great Athlete
Derek is all about achievement in sports and being of service to others. He deserves to be athlete of the year.
Derek Whitson is a one of a kind guy. He has heart, determination and would give you the shirt off his back. And to top it off, he’s an amazing athlete, not only in slege hockey but soccer and golf and the list goes on! Proud if you D!
Go Derek bring home the gold.
Max Allin
Being a good role model helps others want to achieve more too.
This comment was meant for Derek Whitson.
Dane Fox!
Go Dane Fox!
Dane Fox!!!
Bring home the Gold Derek
Derek is the greatest!
I am going with Derek
Dane FOX – he is also a World Champion inline player. Has played for Team Ontario & Team Canada. A great choice!!
Dane Fox
tough competition… but it’s Derek Whitson – repeat
Olympian and nice guy, great role model for our youth!
Dane Fox
Derek Whitson for the win 🙂
DEREK DEREK DEREK DEREK!
dane fox
Dane Fox!!!!!!
DANE FOX – shootouts win last weekend!!
Dane Fox
Dane Fox
Go Derek !!!1
Dane Fox
I vote for Dane Fox!!!
Dane is my choice!
Dane Fox!!
Conor votes for Hickory as the Chatham Kent dog of the year too.
Dane Fox
Derek Whitson….a gentleman and good athlete!
My vote is for chad laprise. When I first trained with him years ago I told him he had to leave Chatham to further his training. He has something that is so rare and special. He has what champions are made of, not something you can train for or work towards. He has a champions heart work ethic and personality! Everyone remember his name you will see much more of it in the future. Congratulations to all nominated Derek Whitson is an amazing person and the Allin family is full of outstanding athletes. Congrats to you all and best of luck in the new year Chad
Dane Fox
Another vote for Hickory as well!!
Erie Otter’s DANE FOX #74!
Max Allin is one of the hardest working and most focussed athletes I have ever known !!!!!
Vote for Derek.
He is extremely talented and an overall great role model for kids.
Dane fox
Dan Fox
Dane Fox
Go derek…so proud
We are all so proud of Derek! He’s an amazing person, great role model and always giving back to the community! Don’t forget he’s an awesome athlete! So dedicated
Go Derek!
Dane Fox
Derek is awesome!!!
Derek gold!!!!!
Derek is an amazing athlete and person, Chatham should be honoured to have him as a part of society!
Go Derek go!
Voting for derek
Reading these comments and seeing others day the following athletes are the most focused & hardworking & great role models & that’s great.. But if you were to look behind the scenes you WOULD also see that Derek Whitson is one if the most sincere athletes you’ll ever meet on top of how hard working and focused he is.
VOTE DEREK
I agree! Go Derek Go 🙂
Derek is a gentleman and tough competitor. His sportsmanship is respected by all international nations in whatever sport he is competing in!
Dane Fox! I’d vote for Max or Chad to if I could! Such great athletes those men!
Derek is too! 🙂
DANE FOX!
Dane Fox
DEREK WHITSON
DEREK WHITSON
Fox
Derek Whitson!
Canada all the way!
DEREK WHITSON
Dane fox
Derek Whitson !!!
Bring home the Gold from Sochi
Canada vs Russia March 2014.
Deke time to take them to school and show them hockey is a Canadian game
Go Derek Go
I’m so impressed to see how many people are voting! What an awesome turn out! Some negative comments, however all of the positive comments are so great to see!
Gunna have to put my vote for Derek though!
Hey Sherrie. I’m not seeing a negative comment? If you see one, please comment on it and I’ll have it removed. Around 130 comments here, and over 2000 votes on the poll. Very impressive support for four very deserving athletes.
Whitson!!! Wooo
Fingers crossed for Derek! He’s the best
Go Derek Go
Go Derek Go
Go Derek Go
Go Derek Go
Purpose,perspective and perserverance +Kindness,generosity and kindness=Derek Whitson
add a dash of humilty
well said….Derek has over come much in his life to be the person he is! All the athletes on this final four and the first list of nominees made a lot of sacrifices to be the athletes they became. All are deserving of this award
Derek is such an amazing person! I have to agree with everything you have said. He would put a stranger before himself without even thinking about it. He would never hurt a fly. He is kind and caring and wants everyone to be successful! He helps around the community and puts smiles on everyone’s face. I was at Walmart the other day with him and we couldn’t turn a corner without someone saying hello, Derek was in no rush and stopped for every person and talked for at least 30 mins. Longest walmart trip of my life but I have never seen someone put so many smiles on so many peoples faces! He is an amazing athlete on top of a great personality. He is a fair, team player. He strives to win, but does it fairly. And if he does win he is completely humble about it. He’s amazing at sledge hockey, soccer, golf, track and the list continues. Nothing gets him down. I’m honoured to call such an amazing person my brother and my hero.
Love you Derek and of course you’ve got my vote!!
DANE FOX….HE SHOOTS, HE SCORES!!!
What does the FOX say???
My vote is for Dane Fox
Whitson all the way!
Dane Fox
Dane Fox ❤
Leading CHL in goals!
How did Tj brodie not make this list?
Hi, TJ was on the initial nominee list but he did not receive the fan voting. He finished fifth in preliminary voting, missing the Final Four by about 50 votes.
Derek for sure he is the man
Go Whitson go!!!
dane fox
Derek Whitson!
best of luck Derek…..we are proud of you.
DANE FOX!!! 41goals, leading OHL!!!
Dane
Dane Fox !
Max Allin all the way!!!
4 very deserving athletes, but my vote goes to Max Allin. I was in line at Timmy’s once and realized I didn’t have my wallet. As I told the cashier, Max stepped in and offered to pay for my breakfast. What a random act of kindness from a great young man!
OMG WHAT A GEM #GEM #LOVETHATGEM
FOXY all the way
Thank you everyone for showing your support! Derek is so deserving of this nomination and he deserves to win it all 🙂 go Derek go!
Foxtrot
Whitson
My boy Dane all the way!!!!!!!!
Chad Laprise. I don’t mean to knock anyone else, but the amount of training, physical and mental that goes into being a fighter is insane. Couple that with his making it on The Ultimate Fighter, no one around here has done anything close. LAPRISE ALL THE WAY!
What does a fox say! GO DANE !!!!
Dane Fox