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DICK ELLIS TROPHY
for Outstanding Male Team
Men's Short Track Speed Skating Team
Nominated by Speed Skating Canada
Drawing on the depth that makes it a perennial world team championship contender, Canada's Men's Short Track Speed Skating Team stepped to its traditional position at the top of the podium in 2000.
Just making the team is a tough proposition, and the 2000 trials were as competitive as ever. After a weekend of hard-fought races, five skaters emerged with a ticket to the championships. Top qualifier was 18-year-old former world champion Francois-Louis Tremblay of Boucherville, who overcame a rocky start to win the 1000m and 3000m races and finish first overall. Next was double 1998 Olympic medallist Eric Bédard of Ste-Thecle, Qué., followed by Marc Gagnon, also a double Olympic medallist, returning after a one-year sabbatical. Rounding out the team were Jonathon Guilmette of Montreal (1998 Olympian and 1999 Canadian champion, forced out of the 1999 worlds with a fracture of the femur), and rapidly improving 1998 Olympian Mathieu Turcotte.
Going into the championships a few weeks later, Canada knew the team to beat was South Korea. Victories by Bédard and double Goodwill Games champion Tremblay in their 500m heats, and Turcotte in his 1000m were offset when Gagnon lost his edge in the 500m and 1000m races and had to settle for silver, and Bédard was disqualified in the 1000m. With Canada and South Korea tied with 46 points, the relay final would decide the world championship. Bédard, Turcotte, Gagnon, and Guilmette were tapped for the job. Skating superbly, they crossed the finish line in 7:17.93 to sew up the world championship for Canada.
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