Holland ‘honoured and humbled’ by Freedom of City award

Ken Holland says he is “honoured and humbled” to receive the Freedom of the City award from the City of Vernon.

The Hockey Hall of Famer and four-time Stanley Cup winner while with the Detroit Red Wings was presented with the award at a 15-minute ceremony at City Hall Tuesday with his wife Cindi and other family and friends on hand.

The freedom is the highest honour the city can bestow on an individual, and Holland is the 21st person to receive it.

“I’m blown away,” Holland told the gathering. “I’m incredibly honoured and humbled. This city gave me the opportunity to pursue my dream.”

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Holland, 65, is the son of the late Lee and Rienie Holland, who was born in Vernon in 1955, and went on to play junior and pro hockey as a goaltender, before getting into scouting and then management. He is currently general manager and director of hockey operations for the Edmonton Oilers.

“It means an incredible amount to me because the city of Vernon is such an important part of my life,” Holland said at the ceremony.

The Holland’s also had daughter Diane and son Dennis.

Ken Holland (third from left) is presented with the City of Vernon’s Freedom of the City award by members of city council. L-R: Kari Gares, Akbal Mund, Ken Holland, Mayor Victor Cumming, Scott Anderson and Kelly Fehr. (Photo credit: City of Vernon)

Ken Holland said he and his family (they have four children) lived in in Detroit for 25 years, but would always come back to Vernon.

“We have a house in the Coldstream. Vernon is home.”

“With hockey I’ve got to go all over the world, and you realize what an incredible city Vernon is. And eventually Cindi and I are going to retire here when Cindi and I are done chasing my dream with the Oilers,” Holland added.

Holland joined the Oilers in 2019, after serving as general manager of the Detroit Red Wings for 22 seasons. He has won the Stanley Cup four times and Olympic Gold twice. He has been named the NHL’s GM of the Decade (2000 – 2009) by Sports Illustrated, has captured four Presidents Trophies, 10 division championships, five regular season conference titles and reached 100 regular season points in 13 of his last 18 seasons.

“Mr. Holland’s most respected character traits are his human side, compassion, integrity and ethical leadership. He’s always flying under the radar for the benefit of others,” said Mayor Victor Cumming.

“Throughout his life, he has influenced others to move to Vernon and support its residents within the areas of sports, art and culture. He has also personally continued to support the community through generous contributions to the Vernon Jubilee Hospital, Vernon Kal Rotary Club and many other charitable organizations,” Cumming added.

Holland’s friend and former colleague with the Red Wings,  Marty Stein, said everything Holland has comes from his mom and dad.

“There was a tradition that was kept going by the family,” Stein said at the event.

Stein said Holland is proud of his home community and supports local initiatives.

“He’s donated to charity. That goes under the radar. Nobody really knows that unless you know Ken,” said Stein.

Ken Holland is the 21st person to receive the Freedom of the City award. He stopped to look at the list at Vernon City Hall. (Liam Verster/Vernon Matters photo)

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Space limited as Holland nets Freedom of City 7 a.m. Oct. 26, 2021

A local hockey legend will be in Vernon council chambers today to receive a special honour from his hometown.

Ken Holland, a Hockey Hall of Famer in the builder’s category, will be presented with the Freedom of the City at a ceremony at 9:00 a.m.

Council chambers are expected to be as full as current COVID-19 restrictions allow for, and due to the limits, media will not be able to attend the ceremony in person.

However, the special council meeting and award presentation will be live-streamed on the city’s website.

Holland, 65, and Mayor Victor Cumming will be available to the media after the ceremony at around 9:45 a.m. outside City Hall.

Holland is a four-time Stanley Cup winner while in management with the Detroit Red Wings and he’s been the general manager and president of hockey operations with the Edmonton Oilers since May of 2019.

Freedom of the City is the highest civic tribute bestowed by the City of Vernon, by unanimous decision of city council. The honour is awarded to a distinguished person or a distinguished unit of the armed forces of Canada or another nation.

Holland becomes the 21st recipient of the Freedom of the City award.

“I’m pleased to bestow this honour on Mr. Holland,” said Mayor Victor Cumming. “He has had a long and prestigious career as GM of the Detroit Red Wings and now GM of the Edmonton Oilers. He has won the Stanley Cup four times and Olympic Gold twice.”

“Throughout his career, Mr. Holland has kept roots in his hometown of Vernon and has supported the community through his generous contributions to the Vernon Jubilee Hospital, Vernon Kal Rotary Club and charitable organizations too numerous to name. He has served as an outstanding ambassador, not only for hockey, but for the City of Vernon, placing it on the hockey map around the world,” the mayor added.