The Hope Wildcats handed out their annual awards on May 11, recognizing the hard work and dedication of people in the organization.
The Hope and District Minor Hockey Association has been running for 50 years, so the awards was even more celebratory than usual. They even had pre-recorded congratulations from locally grown hockey players and personalities, including Shawn Koopman, who played Jr. B and A, and was drafted by the Ottawa Senators, as well as NHL referee Jay Sharrers.
A social media post lists the players who recieved awards at the event, held at the Legion. On the U11 team, Most Team Spirit went to Cohen Canning, Most Improved to Lincoln Bedford, and Most Dedicated to Jax Roksa. On the U13 team (no last names included), MVP went to Brayden, Most Sportsmanlike to Allan, and Most Dedicated to Jack. On the U15 team, MVP went to Chance Cameron, Most Dedicated to Sylis Boucher, and Most Sportsmanlike to Matthew Hamilton.
Awards also went to a few of the adults who keep the organization running smoothly so the kids can play. Christina Scherle for Volunteer of the Year, Steve Sha for Official of the Year, the U13 team for Citizenship, and Sernia Dillon for manager of the year and Ric Hampton for Coach of the Year. The following write-ups were submitted by Mayor Victor Smith, who presented the awards.
Volunteer of the Year: Christina Scherle
Scherle has been on the Hope Minor Hockey executive for a few years, this year as second vice president. She has set up minor hockey tents at events, and even organized a team bus to attend Hope Minor Hockey night at the Abbotsford Canucks game.
Manager of the Year: Serina Dillon
Even in the most stressful moments, Serina stayed grounded and kind, keeping everything running smoothly behind the scenes. She's a get-her done kind of person without ever making it like a burden. She made it easy on our coach coordinator and registrar, making sure everyone had all their paper work in line and courses done.
Official of the Year: Steve Sha
Steve stepped up to be referee-in-chief for Hope Minor Hockey. Without him they would be bring in officials from Chilliwack. Steve held his own officiating clinic in Hope and worked with the new officials.
Coach of the Year: Ric Hampton
Ric travels from Harrison to coach, never losing sight of the spirit of the game. Despite a losing record, he's kept a positive attitude. Ric has no relatives on the team.
Two other runners-up were Scott Cameron and Max Wiebe, who both have a passion for the game, a skill to make the game a better place and create a fun atmosphere.
Citizenship Award: U13 team
This team had many new players and rotating players for most of the year in goal. Despite their struggles they kept showing up for practices and games,
and remained positive. After a special exemption from PCAHA, they were allowed to have goalies from other associations fill in for games.
Near the end of the season a player stepped up to be a full-time goalie. They should be proud of what they have achieved this year and have shown character to come together.
