SUNDRE – The achievements earned and milestones reached by members of the Sundre Minor Hockey Association were recently celebrated during the organization’s annual awards night.
The roughly one-hour ceremony was held on Monday, April 3 at the Sundre Elks Lodge No. 338 hall, which was pretty well packed to capacity.
“It was a full house; standing room only,” said Amber Jenkins, association vice-president.
The association had initially sought to host the event at the more spacious Sundre Community Centre, which was all but booked solid through April, and will aim to schedule well in advance a date for next year, said Jenkins.
“There’s really nowhere else in Sundre to have a big awards night,” she said.
Nevertheless grateful to have available a venue to accommodate the association’s annual celebratory ceremony, Jenkins said the awards night capped off the end of a good year.
Some of the awards are presented in recognition of volunteer contributions, with for example Chris Wangler being named Coach of the Year and association president Tim Kennedy receiving the Tireless Award.
There were also three memorial awards.
The Troy Groenewegen Memorial Award, which is presented to a U13 player who the coaching staff felt displayed superior sportsmanship, fair play and respect for others on and off the ice, went to Connor McKenzie.
Reuben Gordon was the recipient of the Scott Jackson Memorial Award, which is presented to a U15 player who exhibits not only inspirational leadership skills alongside outstanding hockey abilities and knowledge, but also a role model demonstrating exemplary professional conduct and decorum both on and off the ice.
Tanner Craig was named this year’s winner of the Kenneth Miller Memorial Award, which is presented to a U18 player who the coaches felt was a valuable player showing skill, dedication and sportsmanship.
Asked whether the association was considering any plans over the summer such as dry ground training clinics or fundraising activities, Jenkins said the months leading up to the 2023-24 hockey season will offer a chance to rest and recharge.
“We’re taking a break,” she said.
But first, the organization’s membership will be meeting this coming Thursday, April 20 at the Sundre Arena’s upstairs lounge and viewing area starting at 7:30 p.m. for its annual general meeting, with some of the positions coming up for election including president, treasurer, registrar and fundraising coordinator.
Although stepping down from the presidency, Kennedy nevertheless remains committed to the minor hockey association and intends to serve next season as the coach coordinator.
“That’s what I originally wanted to do,” he told the Albertan during a phone interview, adding he’s taken coach development training and if need be can run a course.
Also coaching the U13s for the second year in a row on top of his duties as president, Kennedy said he would also try to fill in as required throughout the past season.
“If a coach couldn’t make it, I ran over to the rink and ran the practice for the younger ones,” he said. “It’s the second year in a row I never missed a practice or a game (for the U13s).”
Although not one for speaking publicly at a podium before a crowd, Kennedy said the awards banquet went well.
“I actually had to make a couple of speeches and I’m not good at that; I’m not the guy to stand in front of people and talk,” he said with a laugh.
“The ladies that organize it do an excellent job; like it’s really good,” he said about the ceremony.
Above and beyond the evening’s official awards, Kennedy said he for the second year in a row brought back an informal award called the Ironman that he introduced last year for his team with the intent being to recognize the player who attended the most practices and games.
“That’s just a personal thing I started for the teams I coach,” he said, adding players who demonstrate such an exemplary level of dedication need to be recognized.
The player named this year’s Ironman was Joey Fehr, the U13 goaltender, he said.
With another hockey season under his belt, Kennedy is now looking to the summer months with plans to be an umpire for both softball and baseball after completing a course.
2022-23 awards
U9 Huskies: MVP Cash Smith; Rookie of the Year Kash Berquist; Most Sportsmanlike Raegan Rock; and Teammate of the Year Autumn Carroll.
U13 Huskies: MVP Grayson Suitor; Most Improved Layton Wanner; Most Sportsmanlike Drake Weatherbee; and Ironman Joey Fehr.
U15 Huskies: MVP Brady Smith; Most Improved PJ Vardas; and Top All-Around Player Rhys Anderson.
U18 Huskies: MVP Noah Smeets; Most Improved Simon McCullough; and Most Sportsmanlike Ayden Lindberg.
