Yorkton Minor Hockey (YMH) recently held its annual awards banquet at the Gallagher Centre Flexi-hall, celebrating the close of another successful season. The evening was a celebration of the season and an opportunity for the hockey community to gather, talk about the past season and recognize individuals who performed exceptionally during the past year, says YMH president Kelly Maddin.
The evening was split into two parts. The early part of the evening was for the initiation program (IP), atom and novice divisions.
Following the banquet, the awards for coach of the year, business of the year, volunteer of the year, unsung hero of the year, official of the year and the players in the peewee, bantam and midget divisions were presented.
"It was a great year this year," Maddin reflects. The executive had only minor issues to deal with. The local teams won seven championship banners, including a provincial championship as well as many league titles. "kids played very, very well this year and we had a lot of success," he adds.
Maddin thanks everyone involved in making the season a success this year. "It takes a whole group of people to make this happen," he declares, referring to all the coaches, assistant coaches, team managers, tournament chairs, committee members, jersey and tournament sponsors, all executive members and referees. "Thank you for a good year," he offers.
The banquet wraps up the current YMH season. Depending when the ice goes into the Kinsmen Arena, the new season will begin either the third week in August or after the September long weekend.
IP director Ryan Hoffman explains the program involved about 49 four to six year old players. About 30 of the 49 will return to provide the veterans for next season, he reports.
Hoffman thanked Ed Zawatsky for helping coaches organize the program for the first few months of the season.
This year the 16 team IP tournament in March was second to none thanks to the work of co-chairs Vicky Hoffman and Rachel Sterzuk and the tournament committee, Hoffman declares. He offered a special thanks to title sponsors Farrell Agencies and Richardson.
This year all four IP head coaches were new to coaching in the division. They and their assistant coaches did a fantastic job with the young players, Hoffman says.
Novice director Tricia Korczak opened by thanking team sponsors. The novice division had a successful season leading up to the novice league championship banner won by the Clean Spot Terriers.
The 16 team novice tournament in February was successful because of the work of Sherry Ferris and the tournament committee as well as tournament sponsor McDonald's.
Korczak expressed her appreciation to the coaches, assistant coaches and team managers who put in a lot of time and work with the young future hockey stars.
Kerry Kawchuk, atom division liaison, thanked coaches for their work with the atom age youngsters and the tournament committee for another great tournament.
Kawchuk reported that the atoms claimed two banners this season. The Kawchuk Construction Atoms won the Atom B banner while the Scoops Atoms claimed the C banner.
YMH Award winners included (Most Dedicated Player MDP, Most Sportsmanlike Player MSP, Most Improved Player MIP).
IP Division
Tim Hortons Double/Double Terriers: Reid Chris (MDP), Jake Pfeifer (MSP), Cole Farrell (MIP).
Tim Hortons Terriers: Landon Burkell (MDP), Emma Edel (MSP), Lonnie Badger (MIP).
Tim Horton's Ice Caps: Matthew Ronn (MDP), Chett Ostapowich (MSP), Jaggar Kardynal (MIP).
Tim Hortons Fritters: Brandon Spilchen (MDP), Owen Effa (MSP), Nathan Matechuk (MIP).
Novice Division
Clean Spot Terriers: Ryder Korczak (MDP), Dasek Sobkow (MSP), Jack Long (MIP).
Farrell's Terriers: Dylan Ringdall (MDP), Burke Sebastian (MSP) Payton Popowich (MIP).
Frame Tech Terriers: Tanner Hoffman (MDP), Jonathan Hedley (MSP), Jayden Harris (MIP).
Carlet's Farm Terriers: Evan Krasowski (MDP), Chris Edel (MSP), Kael DePape (MIP).
Thorsness Terriers: Spencer Welke (MDP), Carson Haberman (MSP), Kyle Stewart (MIP).
Atom Division
Deneschuk Homes Terriers: Parker Huber MDP), Jordan Holinaty (MSP), Graham Buckle (MIP).
Cooperators Terriers: Jackson Berezowski (MDP), Caden Bracken (MSP), Andy VanHeerden (MIP).
Kawchuk Construction Terriers: Tyler Harasymuk (MDP), Koen Kucher-Paulmark (MSP), Montan Cochrane (MIP).
Scoops Terriers: Brennin Stein (MDP), Dylan Novak (MSP), Jordan Stewart (MIP).
Xerox Terriers (Atom Tier 1): Reid Perepeluk (MDP), Nolan Mair (MSP), Nolan Budz (MIP).
Peewee Division
Kozie Drywall Tier 1 Terriers: Zackari Andrusiak (MDP), Jonah Sutter (MSP), Colby Entz (MIP).
Petro Canada Terriers: Kade Johnson (MDP), Alex Kerr (MSP), Carter Washenfelder (MIP), Brodie Ottenbreit (Protz Spirit Award).
Premier Cabinet Terriers: Carter Park (MDP), Blair Kawchuk (MSP), Brody Popowich (MIP), Jordan Stoll (Protz Spirit Award).
Work Wearhouse Terriers: MacKenzie Flett and Dawson Stefanyshyn (MDP), Brett Guenther (MSP), Nicholas Demchuk (MIP), Zachary Goulden-Maddin (Protz Spirit Award).
Bantam Division
DR Auto Extras Terriers: Justin Guy (MDP), Justin Poirier (MSP), Taylor Seaton (MIP).
Quiznos Subs Terriers: Riley Cmoc (MDP), Carter Flasch (MSP), Kris Pidperyhora (MIP).
U.C.T. Terriers, Tier 1: Levi Morin (MDP), Riley Rozdeba (MSP), Colton Dudar (MIP), Matt Kustra (Clifford Bast Trophy), Rylan Palchewich (MVP).
Bantam Provincial Tier 2: Jaden Porte (Schoenroth MVP), Hunter Arnold (Parnetta Spirit Award).
Midget Tier 1
Kinsmen Club Terriers: Elias Giannoulis (MDP), Colton Kitzan (MSP), Dylan Johnson (MIP), Riley Friday (Davidson MVP), Michael Berezny (Kriger Spirit Award), Tyson Haas (Protz Ironman Award), Troy Zulyniak (Lucas Puchala Hustle and Heart Award).
Manos Terriers: Kosta Stamatinos (MDP), Tyler Sherwood (MSP), Mackenzie Dobrowolski (MIP), Nathan Guy (Protz Ironman Award).
Coach of the Year - Chad Korczak
Volunteer of the Year - Monte Taphorn
Business of the Year - Farrell Agencies
Unsung Hero - Warren Popick
Ref of the Year - Alex Giannoulis.
