WESTLOCK – With the ice long gone from the Rotary Spirit Centre, Westlock Minor Hockey honoured its own April 26 at its annual awards night at the Legion.
Looking back on the 2021/2022 campaign and even the year previous, the word that immediately came to the lips of incoming association president Nelson Jespersen was “redemption.” Without question COVID-19 has made youth sports a struggle, but it’s one the association has been able to endure.
For Jespersen, who grew up playing in the association and has been on the board for the past five years and previously served as vice-president, the highlight of the campaign was undoubtedly the U18 Tier 2 Hockey Provincial Championships hosted in Westlock March 31 to April 3.
“It was obviously a redemption year for us. We believe in the physical and mental health for all of our kids and we did everything we could to make sure the season progressed as it should,” said Jespersen. “Overall, we were very happy with how it turned out. We had a great volunteer base that stepped up again. At the end of the day, we were just grateful that the season was able to end without any hiccups.”
Although the season is over, the work for the association continues as they’ve got their evaluators already lined up and are planning on taking in some Hockey Alberta summits over the summer.
“We want to be able have more training at the board level so we’re better able to serve our members. Half of the board is new and I’m really excited for the group we have moving forward. We have a good mix,” he continued. “We want to key in on making the communication better and the process better and being more transparent with decisions — all the good stuff that’s a part of a minor hockey association.”
Jespersen also gave props to outgoing president Aaron McNelly who served for four years and kept the association on track during the COVID years.
“Aaron served us well. Honestly to be the president through the last couple of years hasn’t been easy. He did a good job and left us in a spot where we continue to grow. Moving forward the foundation is there,” said Jespersen.
Award Winners
Coach of the year: Paul Olsen (U18-1)
Referee of the year: Kelly Baker
Derek Joliffe Bellz Edge Scholarship Award: Zephyr Bruens (U13)
Ron Tonsi Memorial Award: Jax Fradette (U13)
All Around Leadership Award: Isaac Kostiw (U15)
Steven Jaffrey Memorial Award: Carson Vervynck (U18)
L. J. Weninger Trophy: Justin Bondy-Jennings (U18)
Derek Joliffe Memorial Award: Hunter Budgen (U18)
With files from Les Dunford/WN
