Combines

TWILLINGATE - The hockey season for players of the Twillingate/New World Island Minor Hockey Association came to a close with their annual banquet and awards evening.

For the league it had been a successful one, looking at the year from a win-loss perspective, with each team involved in an Easter tournament bringing home a medal. For the league as well, however, it had begun with a bumpy start.

Association registrar David King emceed the event. He made reference to the first meeting held last May to begin organizing for the coming year. That first meeting had a grand total of four people in attendance, he recalled, and they were all executive members from the previous season. In frustration, all four resigned. After some consideration, however, and cooler heads prevailing, a follow-up meeting was called. Eight people turned up.

From those eight individuals, informed King, three females agreed to take executive positions so that the league would continue to function. Connie Warren took the position as president, the first time ever that the association had a female in that position. Two others, Carolyn Burt and Joanne Rogers, volunteered to be secretary and treasurer respectively.

History was definitely in the making for never before had so many females taken on administration roles in the association. These three volunteers, explained King, encouraged two more to participate in administrative capacities. Vanessa Dove took responsibility as the hockey pool facilitator (a significant fund raiser) while Wanda Baggs acted as ice co-ordinator.

Before announcing the many awards, King expressed appreciation on behalf of minor hockey to all who had helped in any way throughout the year. Especially he thanked the parents.

"Last but certainly not least are the parents," said King. "Without your commitment to your child and help with the fundraisers and hospitality room, as examples, then running minor hockey would be a greater challenge.

"We will have some players leaving us this year and their parents are here. We hope that even though your child is finished you will continue to support Minor Hockey in any capacity that you can."

In presenting the awards, the first recognitions were to players who had joined Minor Hockey for the first time this past season. First year players: Atoms - Cameron Pardy, Nicholas Froude, Koltyn Peckford; Pww Wee - Nicholas Stuckless; Female - Holly Hopkins, Dora Young and Casey Young.

Esso Medals of Achievement

Most improved: Atom - Jordan Ings; Pee Wee - Nicholas Stuckless; Bantam - Alex Baggs; Midget - Stephen Butt; Female - Holly Hopkins.

Most sportsmanlike: Atom - Marius Jullien; Pee Wee - Samantha Dalley; Bantam - Arielle Jullien; Midget - Jody Hicks; Female - Emily King.

Most dedicated: Atom - Koltyn Peckford; Pee Wee - Brandon Anstey; Bantam - Nick Ings; Midget - Devon Philpott; Female - Shelby White.

Trophy Awards

Most spirited: Atom - TJ Young; Pee Wee - Cody Hynes; Bantam - Adam Ravalia; Female - Vanessa Watkins.

Best defense: Atom - Zachary Rogers; Pee Wee - Taylor Clarke (the Ralph Lambert Memorial); Bantam - Spencer Burt; Midget - Brady Watkins/Zach Lodge (the Bert Young Memorial); Female - April Anstey.

Gentle and effective: Female - Jayna Clarke; Midget - Zach Dalley (the Roy Jenkins Memorial); Bantam - Tim Hamlyn/Matt Pelley; Pee Wee - Dylan Troake; Atom - Tyler Gillard.

Most valuable player: Female - Cecily Stockley; Midget - Jeremy Nicholas; Bantam - Dylan Stockley; Pee Wee - Trent Chaffey; Atom - Kaitlyn Watkins.

Special Awards

MVP of the host tournament held in Twillingate: Female - Cecily Stockley; Atom - Koltyn Peckford. Special recognition was given to graduating players: Female - Cecily Stockley and Casey Young; Midget - Jeremy Nicholas, Zach Lodge, Jody Hicks and Nathan Greenham.

The Harry Randell Memorial Award was presented to the individual who showed commitment and dedication to the game of hockey. It was presented to Scott Rogers. Coach of the Year Award took into account such qualities as attendance, effective practices, promoting and following fair play, commitment to the team, and game and tournament success. The award, known as the Lloyd Pelley Memorial Award, went to Mike Stahan, coach of the Bantam Combines. Assistant Coach of the Year, known as the Hubert Elliott Memorial Award, went to Jill Mitchell of the Female Combines.

Warren concluded the presentations by expressing her thanks to the many who had helped her in her first year as president.

"I enjoyed the position," she said, "and for me it was indeed a learning experience. I wish all players and coaching staff and the administration a happy holiday and hopefully will see you all again next fall."