Local hockey players were the celebrities at the Athabasca and District Minor Hockey Associationís annual Awards Night.
Held at the Athabasca Regional Multiplex last Friday, the event brought all of the townís young hockey players together with their coaches, friends and family for an evening to remember all the high points of the 2012-13 season.
A slideshow of some of the yearís best moments kicked off the evening.
Association president Darcy Tangedal emceed the evening, calling up the coaches of each team who in turn would recognize his players and share some stories from the year.
Every year, a whole slate of awards are given out, recognizing some of the most accomplished hockey players.
Though every player is recognized for their participation, memorial awards bearing the names of past players and volunteers are given out to a select few. Each team from the novice level up also hands out Esso medals of recognition (most improved, most sportsmanlike and most dedicated).
The Janet Garton Memorial Award for the most dedicated novice player went to Noah White.
The Dale Murphy Memorial Award for ìthe most all around talented, dedicated and sportsmanlike novice playerî went to Bauer Adamkewicz.
The Harry Shaw Memorial Award for the ìatom player who exemplifies sportsmanlike conduct, has outstanding ability and plays with enthusiastic enjoymentî went to Daymon Walega (A) and Ashton Funk (B).
The Danny Gerlach Memorial Award for the peewee player ìwho exemplifies sportsmanlike conduct, has outstanding ability and plays with enthusiastic enjoymentî went to Nathaniel Borys (A) and Pacean DeLeeuw (B).
The Rhett Deleeuw Memorial Award is given to a peewee player who has never before been recognized with an award, and this year it went to Jerrid Hanzel (A) and Hayden Chisholm (B).
The Ron Kerbes Memorial Award for the bantam player ìwho epitomizes team play, respect for the game, is hardworking and demonstrates a willingness to improveî went to Jackson Roth.
The Athabasca Hockey Parents Association bantam Award went to Shaun Funk.
The Richard Wiselka Memorial Award for the Grade 12 midget player ìwho is dedicated to education, leadership and an enforcing role on the ice while demonstrating a good sense of community and always giving 110 per centî went to Chad Bell (AA) and Sam Davis (B).
The Larry Gorrell Memorial Award for the most dedicated and aggressive midget player went to Dylan Lynde (AA) and Bryar Peiffer (B).
Finally, the Bernadette Lyle Memorial ìMothers Choice Awardî for a player who ìexemplifies most mothersí wishes and shows dedication to their family and friends as well as to the gameî went to Cole Boehlke.
Fan of the year was Gail Smith. Coach of the year was Neil Hanzel.
Volunteer of the year was John Young.
Following are the winners of the Esso awards.
Most Dedicated ñ Peyton Alix, Hailey Carothers (novice). Lyndon Joyes, Utinihtaow Lightning, Jeffery Sutherland-Cardinal (atom). Jager Bruce, Nickolas Zaft (peewee). Rylan Durell, Tyrell Parker, Shaun Funk (bantam). Chris Dubrule, Evan Reid (midget).
Most Sportsmanlike ñ Claire Francis, Marcus Zaft (novice). Carsen Runcer, Cole Boehlke (atom). Brady Bilsky, Pacean DeLeeuw (peewee). Derek Greene, Matthew Haggerty (bantam). Coulton Sheets, Tommy Parker (midget).
Most Improved ñ Isabella Hayward, Brandon Phillips (novice). Adam Graling, Jaida Mindus (atom). Keegan Martin, Tyler Stocking (peewee). Mark Thompson, Sean Greene, Erik Bay (bantam). Mitchell Lovelace, Bode Peiffer (midget).
