BY IAN THORPE Autumn weather is definitely here and following a heart-breaking end to the professional baseball season, focus now shifts to fall and winter sports. For many, what comes to mind first is hockey, with leagues up and running at all levels. That includes hockey for kids, most notably the Nanaimo Minor Hockey Association. Longtime administrator Vicky Long sends word that games are well underway for players ages 5-20, with 885 kids enrolled. The season runs through until next March, with leagues for co-ed recreational and female recreational teams as well as competitive teams. Amanjit Pandher returns as NMHA president for the season ahead, assisted by first vice-president Graeme Fipke and director of hockey operations Matt Hughes. Also on the executive board are female director Allison Schneider, competitive coordinator Brad Remillard and recreational coordinator Mary Pearson. Chris Lawson looks after risk and safety, Amanda Medforth is tournament coordinator, Heather McEachen handles sponsorship and community, Cody Gessner is referee-in-chief and Taylor Jenkins is equipment manager. The are six teams in the Timbits U7 league where basic skills are introduced to newcomers. A jamboree for the league will be held this weekend, November 8-9, at the Nanaimo Ice Centre. Four teams comprise the U8 league and six teams form a U9 division. For U11 there are eight recreational teams and two rep squads. Another six rec teams and two rep teams are in the U13 division. Both U15 and U18 age groups have four recreational and two rep teams and there are also two teams at the U21 level. In the female divisions, U11 has a recreational and a rep team, there are two rec teams in U13 and one each in U15 and U18. Most divisions will have a home tournament or jamboree at some point in the season. Prior to the start of the season, Nanaimo Minor Hockey Association held its annual general meeting. In addition to the election of officers as listed above, awards were presented to top players from last year, as well as to officials and coaches. From the boys’ recreational division, top graduating U11 player was Hugh Kenning, with Bentley Herman the top U13 graduating player. The Jason Gow Memorial Trophy for the top U15 recreational player went to Kyptin McLaren and the Larry McNabb Memorial Trophy for the top U18 player was given to Devin Krishan. From the female recreational divisions, top graduating U11 player was Clara Chan. Rae Gannon was chosen as top graduating U13 player, Scarlet McHady was the top graduating U15 female and top graduating U18 female recreational player was Anastasia Trenholm. Turning to competitive division awards, the Eric Kneen Memorial Trophy went to top player Sutton Ranger from the U11 age group. Joe Apter received the Dick Robinson Memorial Trophy as top U13 player. The Don Sarkasian Memorial Trophy for top U15 competitive player was presented to Chase Shahi, while Ryder Dawes received the Bud Dumont Memorial Trophy as top competitive U18 player. Recognition of Nanaimo Minor Hockey referees saw Jackson Rauh named as most improved official from last season. Malone Mann got the nod as rookie official of the year. Referee of the year honours went to Anastasia Trenholm, who took home the Rick Hodgson Award for her efforts. Coaching awards were also presented at the AGM. The Ethan Brown Memorial Trophy for rookie coach of the year went to Jake Heller. Nicole Sugiyama was picked as most valuable recreational coach, receiving the Frank Crane Memorial Trophy. Darcy Gudmundson received the Ted Holder Memorial Trophy as most valuable coach from the competitive division and Tyler Zubkowski was named coach of the year from the female division. Whatever your sport, a reminder in closing to play your hardest, play fair and show good sportsmanship.
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