The recent Sudbury Celebrity Hockey Challenge was just the latest opportunity for Ontario Easter Seals Amassador and Sudbury native Sebastien Parent - and much like the NHL stars he was joining on stage, the 17 year old student at Bishop Alexander Carter Catholic Secondary School did not miss a beat.

"This just means so much," said Parent, a big fan of hockey, in general, and of the Pittsburgh Penguins, more specifically. "Getting a chance to see everyone here tonight, supporting, Easter Seals, it's totally incredible - all the funds that are being raised and the lives that are being changed."

As he sees it, the fit between Canada's primary winter sport and the importance of the cause that he so passionately represents create a very natural synergy. "I think it's the energy that people bring to the arena, how excited everyone gets to see their favourite hockey players play," he said, alluding to the presence of players like Wendel Clark, Ron Duguay, Al Iafrate and Rick Vaive, all in Sudbury for the fundraising effort last month.

"And I think it has a lot to do with the community," added Parent. "In Sudbury, we like to give back and we really love our sports, right? Seeing everyone join together is a great cause for everyone."

Serving as the Regional Ambasssador for a couple of years, Parent combined both his local experience as well as his love of academics in general, setting up his application nicely when it came time to look at taking on a larger role within the Easter Seals Ontario family.

"When I was younger, I used to do a lot of scribing," he said. "I took a lot of English courses and worked on my writing, especially my hand-writing - my CP (Cerebral Palsy) makes it tough."

"But I do have the gift of gab," he added with a smile.

With initial plans to attend Cambrian College in pursuit of a diploma in Media Communications, Parent is hoping to follow that up with a degree from Laurentian University.

In the meantime, he continues to appreciate all that his busy schedule entails, growing his network of contacts right across the province.

"I've been to Thunder Bay, Kitchener, Niagara Falls, Ottawa - and Toronto a lot," said Parent. "I've got to go to so many amazing events, had so many amazing opportunities."

All of which adds up to one amazing young local ambassador, one who should make the entire community proud.