Hockey season is officially over in the Westlock area with all the awards handed out to this year’s exemplary players.
The Westlock Minor Hockey Association held its annual awards night at the Westlock Legion April 29, recognizing the players who provided the best examples of leadership and sportsmanship.
At the midget level — the highest in the minor hockey association — Cole Walker took home the Derek Jolliffe Sportsman Trophy while Jordan Boulerice won the L.J. Weringer All-Around Leadership Award.
Coach Shane Boulerice said the Tier 4 team struggled a bit this year, with just a few third-year players and many first- and second-year players. Despite a rocky start, the team was on a bit of an upswing in the latter part of the season, finishing in seventh place with a 5-13-4 record.
“That doesn’t sound so good, but more than half the losses were by two goals or less,” he said.
Things kept getting better in the post-season. After a first-round loss to Calmar, the Warriors beat Devon to face Onoway in the consolation final. The boys won the first game in Onoway, then again bested them to win the consolation title at home.
“They played some of the best hockey they played all year,” Boulerice said.
At the bantam level, the Stephen Jaffrey Most Sportsmanlike Award went to the bantam ‘B’ team’s Dylan Gable, while bantam ‘A’ player Ethan Brost won the TD Canada All-Around Leadership trophy.
Bantam ‘B’ player Kade McNelly recapped the season, noting the team struggled in the Tier 5 league finals after a successful 16-4 run in the regular season. They lost in the league finals to Strathcona, but did make it as far as the final provincials tournament.
“Unfortunately we finished 0-3, but it was a great experience.”
Bantam ‘A’ assistant coach Chris Kuhar said his Tier 4 team had a great year, finishing the regular season 15-1-4.
The highlight, however, was being able to host provincials in the Westlock Rotary Spirit Centre, playing against a group of Tier 3 teams. The goal for the tournament was to show they could compete.
“Not only did we prove that, but we ended up beating one of those teams as well,” he said.
At the pee wee level, Trace Stewart from the ‘B’ team won the Ronald E. Tonsi Memorial Trophy, while Addison Weir won the Derek Jolliffe Scholarship for hockey school.
Pee wee ‘ ‘ assistant coach Braden Conquergood said despite not winning any acclaim, the team was able to work hard and move up from Tier 4 to Tier 3, finishing with a 9-9-2 record.
“The great accomplishment was the players’ dedication to their team,” he said.
Desmond Reagon spoke highly of the pee wee ‘A’ team, which despite not winning provincials, did achieve the goal of qualifying.
“As a group we had to work hard and every one of our games were won on hard work and a total team effort,” he said.
Finally, Jordan Smith won the Referee of the Year Award, and encouraged other players to take advantage of the spending money and greater understanding of the rules that goes along with refereeing.
