Dave Ogilvie
The Emo-Devlin-Barwick Minor Hockey Association celebrated another successful season during its annual banquet and awards night this past Saturday (March 27).
About 250 hockey players, parents, referees, and other volunteers gathered in the newly-renovated hall upstairs at the Emo/La Vallee Arena.
Joe Bodnar welcomed everyone to the celebration and Rev. Francis Flook said “Grace” before those on hand sat down to a fantastic array of turkey, ham, hot and cold dishes, and an abundance of delicious desserts.
Bodnar thanked Debbie Zimmerman and her hard-working kitchen crew for organizing and serving the meal.
After the dinner, Bodnar began the awards portion of the evening by thanking all the hockey players, volunteers, coaches, parents, tournament organizers, and referees who helped make the 2009/10 season such a tremendous success.
He also thanked the executive for their endless hours of hard work.
Mary Ellen Brigham and Carrie Baker were given gift certificates for their many years of dedicated work on the EDBMHA executive.
The pair are retiring and turning the reins over to parents who still have players in the association.
Next to come were the special awards to various players. Tony Bliss presented the Tony Bliss Appreciation Award to two of the most improved players: Katrina Kooman (Novice girls) and Rylan McQuaker (Novice boys).
Mike Redford presented the Doug Wilson Memorial award for sportsmanship and dedication to Alan Elias (Bantam Predators).
Ian Friesen (Bantam Esso), who was not present Saturday night, also received the same award.
Pat Steele then presented the Robert Steele Memorial award for Most Versatile Player to Andrew Gobeil.
Medals also were presented by each coach to individual players for Most Improved, Most Dedicated, and Most Sportsmanlike.
Winning these awards were:
•Novice Girls Rockets—Ashlyn Beck, Pasquel Shortreed, and Janissa Judson;
•Novice Little Loggers—Skylar Comegan, Chase Curtis, and Ryan Redford;
•Atom Girls—Cassidy Teeple, Jenelle Kaemingh, and Kailey Croswell;
•Atom Canucks—Dakota Medicine, Wyatt Vanderaa, and Ryan Bodnar;
•PeeWee Fury—Jeff Smith, Kaily Greengrass, and Tyler Hamm;
•PeeWee Thunderbolts—Hunter Adams, Brandon Pelepetz, and Caleb Koomans;
•Bantam Esso—Jayden Smith, Justin Benjamin, and Paige McNally;
•Bantam Predators—Kirk Johnson, Cameron Croswell, and Brody Strachan; and
•Midget—Cameron Yerxa, Tyler Friesen, and Dirk Friesen.
The final event for the evening was a draw of a San Jose Sharks’ helmet, donated by Luke Judson and signed by several of the Sharks, and a free registration for next hockey season.
Becca Paterson won the helmet while the free registration went to Derek Kaemingh.
In closing, Bodnar thanked everyone for coming and reminded the parents that the executive will be looking for several new members for the 2010/11 season.
The EDBMHA’s annual general meeting is slated for Wednesday, April 14 upstairs at the arena.
