Prince Albert athlete named Special Olympics Saskatchewan summer ambassador

Rhyker said it was his coach, Tyler Kowalski, who nominated him for the role.

“He thought I was the perfect choice.”

Rhyker lives with muscular dystrophy, a neuromuscular disorder that affects more than 27,000 Canadians, according to Muscular Dystrophy Canada.

From June 11 to 21, his photo will be displayed at Safeway, Sobeys and IGA stores across Saskatchewan as part of a campaign encouraging customers to donate $2 to Special Olympics Saskatchewan at checkout.

His mother, Melissa Menzies, said the family was honoured by the nomination and welcomed the opportunity to give back to an organization that has had a positive impact on her son.

“It’s just been great. I think the experience that we’ve had with Special Olympics has been so positive and so welcoming that we just wanted to encourage more people to either join or donate. It helps his confidence.”

His father, Jesse Evanishen, said the program has helped Rhyker build relationships with athletes of all ages.

“There’s lots of kids from different age groups. There’s Rhyker and Beyla who are the youngest, and then it goes all the way up to their upper 30 year olds participating. So it teaches them some camaraderie with older people, and they have a great time and it’s fun seeing them. They all give Rhyker and Beyla the gears, but it’s great. It’s awesome.”

Over the coming days, Rhyker will visit local businesses, pose for photos and help spread awareness about Special Olympics Saskatchewan. He will likely be joined by fellow athlete and best friend Beyla Halpenny.

Menzies thanked Kowalski and the rest of the Prince Albert Special Olympics coaching staff for selecting her son as an ambassador.

“We didn’t know it was coming up so when we heard about it, we just thought it’d be great and we thought Rhyker’d be a great person for it because he loves to be outgoing and he loves the sport and loves his team so we thought it’d be awesome.”

While he enjoys meeting supporters and promoting the organization, Rhyker is already looking ahead to the next floor hockey season.

“My favourite team to play against is the Raiders. We usually beat them.”

The 2026 Special Olympics Canada Summer Games will take place in Medicine Hat, Alta., from August 11–15.

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nick.nielsen@pattisonmedia.com

by Nick Nielsen

Prince Albert athlete named Special Olympics Saskatchewan summer ambassador

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