Lucas Punkari
All in all, it was a fairly successful first season for Ron MacKinnon in his role as president of the Fort Frances Girls Hockey Association.
“It was a good year,” MacKinnon said as the association held its annual year-end awards banquet Friday night at the Memorial Sports Centre.
“There were a lot of good things that happened out on the ice, and in the tournaments that were held not only here but out-of-town, as well.
“The girls represented our town very well so we’re really proud of them,” he added.
Six players took home a pair of awards each from Friday’s banquet.
Annalise Hayes (Rolling Lake Lightning Atom and Dynamic Homes Hurricanes Atom competitive) and Rachel Jean (Lakewood Tire Eagles Peewee and Fort Frances Nor-Fab Flames PeeWee competitive) both captured two MVP trophies.
Amy Penner, meanwhile, won the MVP award for the Energy Fitness Wild Bantam squad and also was the most dedicated player recipient for the Fort Frances 14U Leafs Bantam competitive squad.
Jenna Clendenning received the MVP award for the Fort Frances Kaemingh Esso Atom team, along with most sportsmanlike player honours for the Dynamic Homes Hurricanes.
Rounding the list of multiple award recipients were Rylee Redford (most dedicated for the Super 8 PeeWee and the Flames PeeWee competitive teams) and Sydney Johnson (most improved for Lakewood Tire and most sportsmanlike for the Flames).
Besides the player awards, a brand new accolade was handed out this year as Tracey Coran was presented with the inaugural Builder Award, which also is named in her honour.
“A couple of the parents that have been involved for quite some time said that she deserved something for being a big part in helping to get girls’ hockey to where it is right now,” MacKinnon noted.
“And what better way to honour her than to have the Builder Award be named after her,” he reasoned.
“She’s always active in regards to being on the board and wherever people need help, such as with a coaching position with one of our Bantam teams this season, she’s there,” MacKinnon added.
With 140 players taking to the ice in the FFGHA ranks this past season, one of the goals for the board in the 2011/12 campaign is to continue to build on the current foundation of players.
“We have got to make sure that every level of hockey is taken care of,” stressed MacKinnon, who plans to be involved in the board once again following the association’s annual meeting later this month.
“It doesn’t matter if it’s house league or double ‘A,’ we need to make sure that they all have a chance to play and that no one is left behind when it comes to development,” he added.
“All of the kids need to have a chance to grow instead of just a select few,” MacKinnon reasoned.
