Many young hockey players were recognized at Cowichan Lake District Minor Hockey Association’s annual general meeting and awards on April 28.
Before the meeting, the coaches from Initiation right through to the Midget teams handed out a participatory medal or small trophy to each player for a year of good hockey.
As he handed out the medals to the four- to six-year old players who made their first foray into the world of hockey, Initiation coach Chris Hoskins made the following comment:
“All these kids learned a lot this year,” he said, “but I learned a lot more.”
Then came the awards that singled out players, officials, coaches and even executive members of the association’s board for their contribution to this year’s hockey in Lake Cowichan.
Beginning with the Larry Eddy Memorial Trophy, Midget player Doug Mackie took home the award for Player Personality.
Singled out for his contribution to hockey off the ice, Tim Gowanlock was chosen to receive the George Peterson Memorial Trophy, which recognizes a Hockey Personality.
The CLDMHA Bill Lowe Memorial Trophy for outstanding contribution by an individual executive went to Shaunne Rowbottom, 2012-2013’s outgoing treasurer.
To receive the award of Official of the Year, Referees and Linesman, the board decided two individuals were equally worthy this year. They are Nelson Wagner and Tanner Cummings.
Young Emily Vaughan was obviously thrilled to be named the Hardest Working player. Katie Ferguson, who has just spent a year playing rep hockey for a Bantam team in Victoria, presented her with the award.
It was a momentous occasion for the 2011-2012 Atom players, who all climbed up on stage and were presented with two special banners for the team’s achievement last year as league champions and playoff winners.
It was fitting that the Christina Elise McLeod Memorial Trophy for the most dedicated player went to two girls. Again, Ferguson was asked to present the award to Midget Lacey Grunow and Pee Wee Emily Vaughan.
For the Most Sportsmanlike Defenceman award, Tom Day was the coaches’ choice.
The Peter (Scooter) Hawryluk Perpetual Memorial Trophy for Manager or Coach of the year was awarded to Novice C2 coach Todd Vaughan. There were two Novice teams this year due to the high number of players registered in that group. Along with Mike Waller, who coached the Novice C1 team, Vaughan said that 2012-2013 had been a good year for Novice players.
“Last year we only had six novice players,” he remarked. “But we had 33 kids this year, and both novice teams had a great year of hockey.”
And finally, the Ryan Carl Sahm Memorial Heart Trophy was awarded to Bantam Nelson Wagner for being the player with the most heart.
LCMHA president Steve Vatcher took the time thank the association’s volunteers, executive and the registrars for all their hard work this year.
After a short break, the association held its AGM, during which treasurer Shaunne Rowbottom presented the financial report for the year. The last item on the agenda was the election of a new board for the 2013-2014 season, the results of which are as follows:
President: Todd Vaughan
First Vice: Jason Shand
Second Vice: Jamie Svendsen
Treasurer: Danielle Scheffer
Secretary: Megan Major
Two-year directors:
Roxanne Garnett, Haley Friday,
Debbie Longbottom
One-year directors: Calvin Convery, Jen Fawcett, Sandy McKenzie
