Awards and Scholarships
BC Hockey Awards
Every year at the Annual Congress, BC Hockey presents its yearly awards to members and volunteers that have shown dedication to hockey in B.C. and Yukon through the development and governance of our game. The awards recognizes outstanding achievements in all areas of our game from the grassroots player to its volunteer Executive Committee. A call for nominations occurs in the latter part of the hockey season. All nominations are reviewed and winners chosen by a committee.

2022-23 RECIPIENT: DON FREER
Diamond Stick Award
This award honours an individual who has provided outstanding service to the game of hockey for 10 or more years. The meritorious service may be provided to national or international hockey programs, BC Hockey or its member clubs.

2022-23 RECIPIENT: LARRY KRAUSE
Chair of the Board Award
This award is given to a Minor Hockey Association (MHA) showing the greatest percentage increase in player registration over the previous years registration or to an individual, team, league or Association that has brought honour to the amateur hockey fraternity through an outstanding humanitarian endeavour.

2022-23 RECIPIENT: ROY SAKAKI
Life Members’ Executive Award
This award is given by BC Hockey Life Members to an amateur hockey administrator who has made an outstanding contribution to the development and growth of amateur hockey.

2022-23 RECIPIENT: VANCOUVER FEMALE ICE HOCKEY ASSOCIATION
Indigenous Impact and Legacy Award
This award will be presented to an individual, team, league or Association that has demonstrated a commitment to increase Indigenous inclusivity and participation in the sport of hockey.

2022-23 RECIPIENT: MICHAEL LIU
BC Hockey Safety Award
This annual award acknowledges outstanding service by a volunteer who has devoted his or her time to assist safety and risk management within BC Hockey.

2022-23 RECIPIENT: CAPITAL REGION FEMALE HOCKEY ASSOCIATION
Frank Spring Award - Minor Hockey Association of the Year
Each season, a Minor Hockey Association is recognized by BC Hockey in honour of Frank Spring, past president and life member of BC Hockey. Awarded annually to the minor hockey association judged to have made an outstanding contribution to its community by providing a properly organized program where a youngster can learn the basic skills and the fundamentals of good hockey.

2022-23 RECIPIENT: BLAINE MARKWART
Ernie Gare Award - Coach of the Year
This award is awarded to BC Hockey's top coach who shows leadership to players, demonstrates skill development and has a sound philosophy. Winning is a consideration but is not the only consideration. This award is given in memory of the late Ernie Gare of Nelson, BC who demonstrated what BC Hockey feels are the ideal elements of a coach.

2022-23 RECIPIENT: GRAEDY HAMILTON
Official of the Year Award
This award is given to an official that exemplifies dedication and support for the BC Hockey Officiating Program, BC Hockey and Hockey Canada Rules and Regulations. He or she also contributes to hockey beyond the on-ice requirements and combines leadership and ability both on and off the ice. This person must be carded for the year to be eligible.
2022-23 RECIPIENT: KURT CORMAN
Development Award - Coaching
This award is for service to the National Coaches Certification Program in BC Hockey. The purpose of this award is to annually acknowledge outstanding service by a volunteer who has devoted his or her time to assist coaching within BC Hockey.

2022-23 RECIPIENT: GALEN BREWER
Mike Landucci Development Award - Officiating
This award recognizes outstanding service by a volunteer who has devoted their time to assist officiating in BC Hockey.
2022-23 RECIPIENT: KRIS HOGG
Program of Excellence Award
This award is presented annually to acknowledge outstanding service by a volunteer to the Program of Excellence.
Resources
Scholarships
All graduating high school members, we have scholarships for you! That's right BC Hockey has a big list of scholarships to help you pay for your post secondary education.
These scholarships are awarded annually and they range in value between $500 to $2,000. Pay for a couple of classes or your books!
Are you eligible? Let's find out.
- Your graduating year of high school is at the conclusion of this school year
- Currently a registered member of BC Hockey or;
- a former member of BC Hockey currently playing in the Western Hockey League. What will you be evaluated on?
- Academic achievement
- Sportsmanship
- Hockey participation
- Quality of your contribution to your school and community
Make sure to apply today and get some help paying for your education!
Applications for scholarships has closed for the 2022-23 season. Applications for scholarships for the 2023-24 season will open at the end of March 2024. More details will be released as they become available.
Vancouver Canucks Alumni Scholarships
Dan Hamhuis (Smithers, BC) moved to Prince George to play Junior hockey with the Prince George Cougars of the WHL in 1998. Hamhuis spent four (4) seasons with the Cougars and was drafted by the Nashville Predators in 2001, twelfth overall. Dan played his first season in the NHL in 2003-2004 but played his next year in the AHL due to the NHL Lockout. Hamhuis had incredible success on the international stage, competing for Canada nine (9) different times, at the World Junior Championship, World Championship and Winter Olympics. He has won two (2) World Championship gold and an Olympic gold, claimed two (2) World Championship silver and a World Junior silver and bronze. Hamhuis has played over 1,000 NHL games, making him a Silver Stick recipient, the nineteenth player from BC to achieve this milestone.
Season | Recipient | MHA |
2021-22 | Shawn Fisher | Quesnel MHA |
2020-21 | Hamel Jackson | Terrace MHA |
Doug Lidster (Kamloops, BC) was drafted by the Vancouver Canucks in the seventh round of the 1980 National Hockey League (NHL) Draft. Lidster played 10 seasons in Vancouver, and served as an alternate captain for many years, before being traded to the New York Rangers in 1993. The Rangers beat the Canucks in the Stanley Cup Finals of 1994, the same season Lidster was traded to the team. Lidster was a part of Team Canada on a few separate occasions and won two (2) silver medals at the World Championship. Following his retirement as a player in 1999, he moved to coaching, and has worked as an assistant coach for the Texas Stars of the American Hockey League (AHL), and his former team the Vancouver Canucks. Lidster also helped the national women’s team win Olympic gold in 2010, when he was an assistant coach on the team. Doug Lidster was inducted into the BC Hockey Hall of Fame in 2003.
Season | Recipient | MHA |
2021-22 | Mason Ouchi | Summerland Steam (KIJHL) |
2020-21 | Manny Panghli | Kamloops MHA |
Cesare Maniago (Trail, BC) learned to play hockey in a town rich with hockey history and played all over before finding a steady job with the Minnesota North Stars. Prior to him joining the North Stars, Maniago played for the Toronto Maple Leafs, Montreal Canadiens and New York Rangers in the NHL. After nine (9) seasons with Minnesota, Maniago moved to Vancouver, where he would play two (2) seasons with the Vancouver Canucks before retiring. Maniago didn’t win any professional championships but won the Allan Cup with the Chatham Maroons in 1960, beating his hometown Smoke Eaters in the finals. Cesare Maniago was inducted into the BC Hockey Hall of Fame in 1995.
Season | Recipient | MHA |
2021-22 | Jake Manigo | Greater Trail MHA |
2020-21 | Sam McLaren | Greater Trail MHA |
Willie Mitchell (Port McNeill, BC) was taken in the eighth round by the New Jersey Devils in 1996 NHL Draft. After two (2) years playing NCAA with Clarkson University, Mitchell bounced between the NHL and the AHL until the 2001-2002 season with the Minnesota Wild. Over the course of his career, Willie played for six (6) NHL teams: The Devils, Minnesota Wild, Dallas Stars, Vancouver Canucks, LA Kings and Florida Panthers. He played 907 games in the NHL and scored 180 points. Mitchell won two (2) Stanley Cups during his time in Los Angeles and won gold at the 2004 World Championship with team Canada. Willie Mitchell was inducted into the BC Hockey Hall of Fame in 2018.
Season | Recipient | MHA |
2021-22 | Theodore St-Denis | Peninsula Panthers (VIJHL) |
2020-21 | Norman Cheyenne | Victoria MHA |
Darcy Rota was born in Vancouver, BC but played minor hockey in Prince George. Rota was a member of the Edmonton Oil Kings of the Western Canada Hockey League (now the Western Hockey League), and twice became WCHL champions with the Oil Kings during his three (3) seasons with the team. Rota was drafted in the first round by the Chicago Blackhawks in 1973 and played five (5) seasons in Chicago before being dealt to the Atlanta Flames during the 1978-1979 campaign. Rota finished his 11-year NHL career with the Vancouver Canucks in 1984, playing a total of 794 NHL games and scoring 495 points. Following his on-ice career, Rota spent 14 years as the owner, general manager, and president for the BCHL’s Coquitlam Express from 2000 to 2014. Darcy Rota was inducted into the BC Hockey Hall of Fame in 2003.
Season | Recipient | MHA |
2021-22 | Ryan Torok | Langley MHA |
2020-21 | Jared Hall | Burnaby MHA |
BC Hockey Scholarships
BC Hockey's most prestigious scholarship is awarded based on outstanding achievements both on the ice and in the classroom.
Season | Recipient | MHA |
2021-22 | Katherine (Katie) Liu | Burnaby MHA |
2021-22 | Sage Jull | Capital Region Female MHA |
2020-21 | Starla Phillips | Vancouver Female |
2020-21 | Mary England | North Shore Female |
This scholarship is awarded in memory of the late Bruce Allison of Richmond. Allison was BC Hockey’s 26th president. He was instrumental in establishing and pursuing scholarship opportunities for members of BC Hockey and advocated the pursuit of educational goals through hockey excellence.
Season | Recipient | MHA |
2021-22 | Alex Oh | Richmond Jets MHA |
2020-21 | Andrew Hansen | Semiahmoo MHA |
This scholarship is awarded in memory of the late Jeff Butler who was fatally injured during a Junior A game in September 1985. Jeff was a dedicated young man with rare qualities of character and determination.
Season | Recipient | MHA |
2021-22 | Nathan Chu | Richmond Jets MHA |
2020-21 | Jordan Si | Richmond Jets MHA |
This scholarship is awarded in the memory of the late Ted Hargreaves of Nelson who was an integral part of hockey development and coaching. He also combined his passion for hockey with his artistic abilities, illustrating instructional manuals for Hockey Canada. This award was first presented in 2005-2006.
Season | Recipient | MHA |
2021-22 | Esther Boelema | Greater Vancouver Comets (U18F AAA) |
2020-21 | Camie Matteau-Rushbook | Whistler MHA |
B.F Lorenzetti is the insurance provider for Hockey Canada and its Branches. One of their objectives is to assist in the funding of young athletes and officials. In an effort to honor the contributions of long serving BFL colleague and friend Jim Stirling, BFL Canada has decided to change the name of the BFL Canada Risk and Insurance Scholarship program to the Jim Stirling Scholarship Program donated by BFL Canada.
Season | Recipient | MHA |
2021-22 | Samantha Kingcott | Capital Region Female MHA |
2020-21 | Markus Gould | Port Moody MHA |
Funded by the staff of BC Hockey, one (1) scholarship is awarded each season.
Season | Recipient | Hometown |
2020-21 | Noah Kanji | Burnaby |
BC Hockey Scholarships are awarded to recognize and enhance the opportunities presented when furthering one’s education. District Scholarships are awarded to players from each of BC Hockey’s eight (8) Districts: Lower Mainland (2), Okanagan (2), Vancouver Island (2), East Kootenay (1), West Kootenay (1), North Central (1), North East/Yukon (1), North West (1)
Season | Recipient | MHA |
2021-22 | Madison Roe | Windermere Valley MHA |
2021-22 | Nathan Medeiros | Nelson MHA |
2021-22 | Alicia Zhan | Burnaby Winter Club |
2021-22 | Madigan Riplinger | Williams Lake MHA |
2021-22 | Alyssa Maynard | Fort Nelson MHA |
2021-22 | Brooke Wandler | Kamloops MHA |
2021-22 | Rory Sinden | Kerry Park MHA |
2020-21 | Matthew Kaune | North Delta MHA |
2020-21 | Allison Murdoch | Kamloops MHA |
2020-21 | Duncan Judge | Victoria MHA |
2020-21 | Kai Flett | 100 Mile House MHA |
2020-21 | Shayden Hiebert | Fort St. John MHA |
2020-21 | Kiera Mulder | Prince George MHA |
2020-21 | Cameron Reid | Kimberley MHA |
2020-21 | Megan Gorman | Grand Forks MHA |
Hockey Canada Officiating Program (HCOP) Level 2 – 6 Officials are eligible for BC Hockey Officiating Scholarships. Scholarships will be awarded to BC Hockey officials who best combine the qualifications listed on the application form. The Officiating Committee will determine the number and amount of scholarships each season. BC Hockey wants to recognize officials who develop their academic career aspirations, at the same time growing their interest in officiating.
Season | Recipient | MHA |
2021-22 | Blake Moore | Port Alberni Bombers (VIJHL) |
2021-22 | Bryn McColl | Vancouver Thunderbirds MHA |
2021-22 | Taylor Knott | Quesnel MHA |
2021-22 | Ferdinand Tesang | Coquitlam MHA |
2021-22 | Andon Maynard | South Okanagan MHA |
2021-22 | Joaquin Mattick | Grand Forks MHA |
2020-21 | Adam Archibald | Chilliwack MHA |
2020-21 | Matthew Bertram | Langley MHA |
2020-21 | Armaan Deol | South Okanagan MHA |
2020-21 | Adam Edamura | Vancouver Thunderbirds MHA |
2020-21 | Jordan Muller | Squamish MHA |
2020-21 | Techani Nedila | Vancouver Female MHA |
Season | Recipient | MHA |
2021-22 | Julia Clauzel | Fraser Valley Rush (U18F AAA) |