As Kamsack Minor Hockey Association players, family members and friends were assembling for their annual season wind-up banquet last week, Mike Eliuk, president, was applauded when he said the 2017-18 season would be starting about a month earlier than has been the case.
“We expect to be in the ice on October 3, instead of November,” Eliuk said during the banquet that was held on the mezzanine at Broda Sportsplex.
Eliuk said that a hockey camp is planned for the second week of October and encouraged parents to attended the association’s spring meeting this week. He introduced members of the executive committee and thanked them for having made the year easier as it went on.
Members of each of the teams, from IP to bantams, were brought to the front and introduced as the coaches outlined the past season and then a few players from each were singled out for applause for being either the most improved, most sportsmanlike or most dedicated player.
Tyler Lorenzo, coach of the IP team, introduced the members of the team, saying that the youngsters had worked really hard during the season. He said that he had been concerned at their first practice when many of them had difficulty staying upright on skates, but then was buoyed three weeks later when they were all skating.
“I couldn’t believe the improvement,” Lorenzo said, as he introduced the other members of the coaching staff including Jared Ruf, Lee Symak and Nikki Ruf (manager).
Kaley Allard was named most improved skater; Sophia Walter, most sportsmanlike and Liam Shabatoski, the most dedicated.
Jeremy Allard, coach for the novice team, introduced the members, saying that everyone on the team had a lot of fun during the season.
“We had as our goal to get better each week and we crushed it,” he said, adding that the team had played a lot of close games.
He introduced fellow coaches Derek Shankowsky and Ryan Gareau and acknowledged the parents for conducting all of the “rink duties.”
Kealand Thomas was named the team’s most sportsmanlike player; Cameron Allard, the most dedicated, and Parker Lorenzo, the most improved player.
Mike Eliuk introduced the members of the atoms team and his fellow coaches, Stacy Erhardt and Robbie Grieve.
Andy Chan was named the team’s most improved player; Carter Salahub, the most dedicated, and Brooke Taylor, the most sportsmanlike player.
Eliuk returned to the mic to introduce the members of the peewee team, saying that because the team was short a few players, some atoms were brought up to play.
They all deserve awards, Eliuk said, as he introduced Aaron Chernoff, the other coach.
Justus Blackwood was named the most improved player; Austin Krawetz, the most dedicated, and Ty Thomas, the most sportsmanlike.
Mike McGriskin, Ryan Bielecki and Allan Bear introduced the nine players on the bantam team and McGriskin said that a highlight of the season was when the team played a game with only seven skaters and no goalie.
“We got the least amount of penalties of any team in the league,” McGriskin said, introducing Shannon Bielecki as an invaluable team supporter.
Sammy Kortenko was named the team’s most improved player; Ryan Bear, the most dedicated, and Nicholas Bielecki, the most sportsmanlike.
A meal of hot dogs and hamburgers with salads was served, catered by The Iron Grill restaurant.
