The playing season may be over, but there’s still plenty of hockey news happening, at both the professional and local levels…
In the NHL, the Los Angeles Kings claimed their second Stanley Cup in three years with an exciting 3-2 double overtime win over the New York Rangers in Game 5 of the final. Kings forward Justin Williams won the Conn Smythe Trophy as playoff MVP. Then this past week, several additions were announced to the Hockey Hall of Fame and major league awards were presented last Tuesday in Las Vegas.
On the local scene, the Nanaimo Minor Hockey Association has also been making news and giving out awards. NMHA recently held its annual general meeting and awards night and my thanks to office administrator Vicky Long for sending along results.
Taking over from Roberta Bortolotto as president of minor hockey for the coming year is Jamie Davis, with Kyla Becia to be secretary/treasurer and Dawn Borelli returning as the association registrar.
The awards portion of the AGM saw recognition given to coaches and officials, as well as recreational and competitive players. From the boys’ competitive division, the Bud Dumont Award as top graduating midget player was Zachary Bayko. Jayden Marsh received the Don Sarkasian Memorial Trophy as top graduating bantam. The Dick Robinson Memorial Trophy for best graduating peewee player went to Ethan Jones, while Brendan Carlson was presented the Eric Kneen Memorial Trophy as top graduating atom player.
From the boys’ recreational division, the Larry McNabb Memorial Trophy for top graduating midget went to Josh Boutin. Callum Klymchuk was the recipient of the Jason Gow Memorial Trophy for best graduating bantam. Named as the top graduating peewee recreational player was Kole Postema and the top graduating Atom recreational player was Carson Burnand.
Top graduating players from the female ranks were Cassidy Green from the midget recreational division, Makenna Reynolds from the peewee level and Charlise MacDonald from the atom recreational division.
Coaching awards saw the Ted Holder Memorial Trophy as most valuable coach in the competitive division won by Chris Jones. Most valuable coach from the midget division, receiving the Frank Crane Memorial Trophy, was Heath Dennison. Andrew Layton earned 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 Patrick Young. The Cliff McNabb Memorial Trophy for most valuable coach from the atom division was presented to Ryland Wellwood. Other coach of the year winners were Justin Lynch from the initiation division, Darren Sharpe of the novice division and Allison Pocock from the female division.
Congratulations also go to Mattiaas Dalmonte and Cassidy Greene, who were announced as special minor hockey Mentorship Award winners.
Whatever your sport, a reminder in closing to play your hardest, play fair, and show good sportsmanship.
Ian Thorpe writes about sports Saturdays.