BY IAN THORPE
It may be July, but it seems that hockey is never really out of season.
Certainly at the professional level the sport continues to be in the news. It took until mid-June for Stanley Cup playoffs to result in a successful defense of their championship title by the Pittsburgh Penguins. There was the expansion draft for the new Las Vegas Golden Knights, the entry draft and free-agency signings. There was the announcement of induction to the hall of fame for Paul Kariya, Teemu Selanne and others. And there was the NHL post-season awards night where Edmonton Oilers captain Connor McDavid won his first Hart Trophy as most valuable player along with the Ted Lindsay Award as most outstanding player as voted by his peers, and the Art Ross Trophy as the league’s scoring champion.
Year-end awards have also been presented by the Nanaimo Minor Hockey Association as part of its annual general meeting. Recognition was given to players in the recreational and competitive divisions of the sport, as well as to officials and coaches. My thanks to NMHA office administrator Vicky Long for sending along results…
Starting with the boys’ recreational division, the Larry McNabb Memorial Trophy for the top midget player went to Ian Tuck. Nathan Ostle was recipient of the Jason Gow Memorial Trophy for best bantam. Named as the top graduating peewee recreational boys’ player was Owen Johnston, with Kenny Ledingham the top atom recreational boys’ player.
From the girls’ recreational divisions, Alannah Wright was picked as the top peewee female player and Jacqueline Kaufmann as the best graduating atom recreational female player. Also from the female ranks, Veronica Wong was selected as top midget graduating player, Jenna Rodway as top graduating bantam player and Keira Martin as top graduating peewee player.
From the competitive division, the Bud Dumont Award as top graduating midget player went to Jack Schlitz. Trevor Dorman took home the Don Sarkasian Memorial Trophy as top graduating bantam. The Dick Robinson Memorial Trophy as top graduating peewee boy was won by Ethan Matsuo, while Matthew Hutchison received the Eric Kneen Memorial Trophy as top graduating atom competitive player.
Recognition of Nanaimo minor hockey referees saw Aujin Li named as the most improved official on the year. Jasper Letwin got the nod as rookie official of the year. Referee of the Year honours went to Lleyton Buck.
Coaching awards saw the Ted Holder Memorial Trophy as most valuable coach in the competitive division won by John Schlitz. Sharing the Frank Crane Memorial Trophy as most valuable coach in the midget division were Hank Aarsen and Rod Parker. Les Aitken received the President’s Trophy as most valuable coach in the bantam division, while the Civic Arena Trophy for the peewee division’s most valuable coach was awarded to Francois Brassens.
Geoff Nordli earned the Cliff McNabb Memorial Trophy as most valuable coach from the atom division. Chris MacNeal won the Coach of the Year Trophy from the initiation division, James McArthur won from the novice division and Lanny MacDonald from the female division. Chosen for the Ethan Brown Memorial Trophy as rookie coach of the year was Mackenzie Lussier.
The next season for Nanaimo minor hockey won’t begin until September, but competitive tryouts start on Aug. 25 and regular registration for next season closed on June 1. Those signing up now will be placed on a waiting list. For more information about registration or the association, check the NMHA website at www.hockeynanaimo.com.
Whatever your sport, a reminder in closing to play your hardest, play fair, and show good sportsmanship.