Hockey players of all ages took home awards from the Emo-Devlin-Barwick Minor Hockey Association’s annual banquet last Thursday night upstairs at the Emo/La Vallee Community Centre.
The Robert (Bob) Steele Memorial Trophy, acknowledging the most versatile player in the Midget division, was presented to Terry Carmody while the Doug Wilson Memorial Trophy was awarded to Mathew McDonald for his sportsmanship and dedication in the Bantam division.
In addition, Joe Bodnar was honoured with the Emo-Devlin-Barwick Coach of the Year Award for his outstanding commitment and contribution to the association.
He thanked both the players and the parents for a great season.
Medallions (Esso Awards) also were presented to the most improved, most sportsmanlike, and most dedicated player on each team in each division:
•IP 1—Morgan Gibson (most improved), Ryan Redford (most sportsmanlike), and Dakota Medicine (most dedicated);
•IP2 (Little Loggers)—Nico Kooistra (most improved), Nicholas Veldhuisen (most sportsmanlike), and Bennett Davis;
•IP 2 (Rainy River Resources Rockets)—Chandler Medicine (most improved), Caleb Koomans (most sportsmanlike), and Zander Chalupsky (most dedicated);
•Atom (Hawks)—Brett Mann (most improved), Brody Strachan (most sportmanlike), and Derek Kaemingh (most dedicated);
•PeeWee (Esso)—Jonathon Clink (most improved), Angel Nixon (most sportsmanlike), and Devin Meyers (most dedicated);
•PeeWee (Thunderbolts)—Jason Angus (most improved), Kathryn Clifford (most sportsmanlike), and Tarran Romyn (most dedicated);
•Bantam (Predators)—Cody Bodnar (most improved), Tyler Friesen (most sportsmanlike), and Brandon Benjamin (most dedicated); and
•Midget (Cowboys)—Cody Drennan (most improved), James Saunders (most sportsmanlike), and Andrew Wilson
All the players were presented with a certificate, as well, for their efforts during the 2006-07 season.
The Thunderbolts (PeeWee), along with coach Paula Clifford, also were acknowledged Thursday night for being selected as one of 13 teams from across the country to win the “Future Team Canada” recognition program.
As previously reported, Clifford had nominated the team and were recognized by Hockey Canada, in conjunction with the Wayne Gretzky Foundation and the Canadian Hockey Foundation, for the amount of heart they showed rather than the number of games they won.
The players each earned a Team Canada jersey, gloves, stick, and a hockey bag bearing the Wayne Gretzky Foundation and Hockey Canada logos.
As well, the team received a coaching package and $1,000 to be used for team development activities.
In related news, the EDBMHA’s annual meeting will be held Wednesday, April 11 at 7 p.m. upstairs at the Emo/La Vallee Community Centre. Anyone interested in the association is invited to attend.
The executive for the 2006-07 season was Shane McDonald (president),
Carrie Baker (first vice-president), Joe Bodnar (second vice-president), Teddianne Kinnear (treasurer), and Laurie Pelepetz-Vien (secretary).
The directors were Sue Pelepetz, MaryEllen Brigham, Lucinda Meyers, Rick Bourre, Sherri Allen, Paul Davis, and Kari Mosbeck.
The tournament conveners were Shane McDonald (IP1), Sue Pelepetz (IP2), Tammy Strachan (Atom), Rick Bouree (PeeWee), and MaryEllen Brigham (Bantam and Midget).
Nominations are open for directors for the 2007-08 executive. Elections will take place at the general meeting April 11.
Those who would like to let their name stand for the upcoming season are asked to contact Shane McDonald at 482-2785.