BC Hockey announced last week that the Minor Hockey Week Awards will be renamed the Fred Heslop Minor Hockey Awards in honour of long time member and past president, Fred Heslop, a Trail native who passed away in 2013.
Heslop’s involvement with BC Hockey spanned two decades, serving the membership on the Executive Committee from 1992-2006.
He served many different roles including Officer at Large, Vice President, President and was chair of numerous committees. In 2007, BC Hockey bestowed him the highest honour when he was awarded the Diamond Stick Award.
The dedicated father of two spent many years coaching minor hockey in Trail. He led the Trail Juveniles to a provincial title in 1968 and co-coached the Trail Midgets to a provincial silver medal. As his two sons, Mark and Darren, began their respective hockey careers, Heslop returned to coach at the house-league level and referee minor hockey games for many years until Tom McLean convinced Heslop to join the provincial organization in 1992.
The awards will be presented in conjunction with National Volunteer Week beginning in April 2016. Award criteria will focus on outstanding volunteerism and will recognize compassionate minor hockey volunteers. In total, five awards will be presented.
Nominations will be accepted during Minor Hockey Week which is traditionally held during the third week of January. The nominations will then be reviewed by a selection committee and winners announced during National Volunteer Week in April.
National Volunteer Week pays tribute to the millions of volunteers who share their time and talents with community organizations across the country. The week of celebration is a wonderful way to shine the spotlight on volunteers who share their time to make their community a better place.
For more information about BC Hockey, please visit the BC Hockey website at www.bchockey.net or email info@bchockey.net.
