PORT McNEILL—James Bramham was selected Player of the Year and Dennis Foster was honoured as Coach of the Year as the bantam team came up big in the annual Port McNeill Minor Hockey AGM and awards night at Sunset Elementary School last Thursday.
Bramham was cited for his efforts as the Whalers bantams’ only goalie while also helping other teams in need and serving as one of the society’s junior referees.
Foster served as a first-year coach for the bantam club and also assisted with Port McNeill’s introduction to girls hockey program with his wife April.
In other top awards, Dwayne Rudy was named Outstanding Referee, midget coach Tom Scott was presented the Margaret Musik Memorial Award for outstanding volunteerism, and atom skater Brett Daffurn earned the Tristan Jones Memorial Award, which comes with a season’s paid registration courtesy of plaque sponsors Shirley Ackland and Pat Horgan.
Players on each of the association’s teams took to the stage to receive their certificates of participation for the recently completed season, and Esso medallions were awarded to Most Sportsmanlike, Most Improved and Most Dedicated players. In addition, a large trophy was give to the player selected Most Sportsmanlike at each level, which they get to keep for a year before it is returned to be re-issued next spring.
In the executive elections held prior to the awards, Scott Mitchell was returned for what will be his final year as club president.
Also returning to the executive are registrar Tammy Beek, secretary Carolyn Miller and director Glenn Moore. Newcomers include head coach Sonya Strang, equipment manager Xenia Peterson and Foster, as director.
Several key positions remain unfilled, including vice-president, treasurer and fundraising coordinator, and interested volunteers are urged to contact Mitchell at 250-956-3182.
Port McNeill Minor Hockey 2013-14 Awards
Player of the Year—James Bramham.
Coach of the Year—Dennis Foster.
Outstanding Referee—Dwayne Rudy.
Margaret Musik Memorial Award—Tom Scott.
Tristan Jones Memorial Award—Brett Daffurn.
Peanuts
Most Sportsmanlike trophy: James Michel. Esso medallions—Most dedicated: Kyle Rushton; Most improved: Axen Peterson; Most sportsmanlike: Maximus Metcalfe.
Novice
Most Sportsmanlike trophies: Kai Verbrugge and Bryson Hall. Esso medallions—Most dedicated: Jack Barrett, William Grant; Most improved: Bradley Wagner, Hayden Jack; Most sportsmanlike: Haleah Rienks, Dominick Gaudreault.
Atom
Most Sportsmanlike trophy: Brett Daffurn. Esso medallions—Most dedicated: Tristan Mardell, Solomon Melan; Most improved: Laci MacGregor; Most sportsmanlike: Matthew Datos.
Peewee
Most Sportsmanlike trophy: Alan Townsend. Esso medallions—Most dedicated: Jesse Lloyd, Reece Lloyd; Most improved: Jessica Mountain-Wadhams; Most sportsmanlike: Skylar Driscoll.
Bantam
Most sportsmanlike trophy: William Johnson. Esso medallions—Most dedicated: Christopher Speck; Most improved: Roy Wadhams; Most sportsmanlike: James Bramham.
Midget
Most sportsmanlike trophy: Jaidyn Staniforth. Esso medallions—Most dedicated: Cory Miller; Most improved: Evan Gordon-Valan; Most sportsmanlike: Jesse Jackson.
Youth coaches: Thomas Symons, Trent Beek, Travis Shade, Evan Gordon-Valan, Petra Sinclair.
Youth officials: Jesse Lloyd, Reece Lloyd, James Bramham, Trent Beek, Thomas Symons.