Gage Grassick is currently playing for the University of Saskatchewan Huskies. (submitted photo/Gage Grassick)

By Nolan Kowal

Best of the best

Grassick, Smith-Windsor humbled by Athlete of the Year distinction

Jan 17, 2024 | 2:00 PM

A pair of former Carlton Crusader athletes will be recognized at this Saturday’s Sportsman Dinner in Prince Albert as the community celebrates the achievements of its biggest sports stars.

Gage Grassick, who currently plays basketball at the University of Saskatchewan, has been awarded with the Female Athlete of the Year award for her accomplishments on the court over the last year. Fellow Huskie Tazmin Smith-Windsor is the Male Athlete of the Year, while Bruce Vance is the Sportsman of the Year recipient.

“I’m super grateful and honoured not to just be awarded this but to be alongside great athletes like Taz Smith-Windsor as well as the Sportsman of the Year Bruce Vance,” Grassick said. “It’s a really big honour… lots of great athletes have won this in the past, and being awarded this is not just a big testament to myself, but to my coaches and fellow players who have helped me and guided me to where I am today.”

Grassick is in her third season of eligibility with the Huskies after graduating from Carlton High School in Prince Albert. She still has a couple of seasons left at U of S and said she’s enjoyed her university basketball career thus far.

“We have a super close knit team this year and I’m super fortunate to be on a team with such amazing female athletes and obviously a great coaching staff,” she said.

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Grassick added she stays in touch with her former coaches at Carlton, including Jen Ferguson, whom she said helped spark her passion for the sport. She said she hopes to stay involved in the sport in some capacity once she’s finished school.

“I’m hoping to either give back to the community in a coaching way or potentially continuing [playing] basketball further overseas,” said Grassick, who is from Prince Albert. “But as of right now, not really quite sure what that entails.”

Grassick said she’ll be unable to attend the dinner due to her basketball schedule and will have family on hand to accept the award on her behalf.

Meanwhile, fellow Carlton grad Taz Smith-Windsor will receive the Male Athlete of the Year Award. Smith-Windsor is currently playing defensive back for the Huskies men’s football team.

“It means a lot to me…I think it’s a testament to that there are good athletes that come out of Prince Albert,” said Smith-Windsor, who will be attending the dinner. No matter where you’re from you can have success in your sport. I think it’s a great honour to receive it from the Kinsmen board, and I feel really grateful to be recognized by them.”

Smith-Windsor in a game against the Calgary Dinos last August. (Electric Umbrella/Derek Elvin)

The Elk Ridge native is still early in his Huskies career and hopes to make a big impact at the school.

“I want to make as much of an impact as I possibly can, travel all over the country, win a bunch of football games, and hopefully bring a Vanier Cup back to Saskatchewan in my time with the Huskies,” he said, adding that playing pro would be a dream come true.

Smith-Windsor said he hasn’t yet had a chance to meet Bruce Vance yet.

“I’m looking forward to meeting him and chatting with him about sports in Prince Albert, and what he’s done for the community and how we can continue to grow and build athletics in Prince Albert,” Smith-Windsor said.

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nolan.kowal@pattisonmedia.com