BC HOCKEY’S 2021-22 AWARD RECIPIENTS
For Immediate Release
June 12, 2022
Saanichton B.C. – BC Hockey wrapped-up the 2022 Annual Congress with our Awards Banquet on Saturday night at the Penticton Lakeside Resort in Penticton B.C.. Thank you to everyone involved and congratulations to all of our winners. The recipients of the 2021-22 BC Hockey Awards are:
BC Hockey Life Members
Bill Ennos, Victoria, B.C.: Bill joined BC Hockey in 1980 and has been an integral part of the organization ever since. Bill was recognized with the BC Hockey Life Members’ Executive Award in 2008 for his outstanding contributions to the development and growth of amateur hockey in the province. He also received the BC Hockey Diamond Stick Award in 2018 for his outstanding service to hockey in the province.
Bob Nicholson, Penticton, B.C.: Bob was named the technical director of BC Hockey in 1979 and held this role for over a decade. After his time with BC Hockey, he served as the Canadian Amateur Hockey Association’s vice-president, before becoming the President and CEO of Hockey Canada. He was elected as the vice-president of the International Ice Hockey Federation before becoming the Chief Executive Officer of Oilers Entertainment Group in 2015.
Tom Renney, Cranbrook, B.C.: Tom coached the Trail Smoke Eaters before taking over the head coaching role for the KIJHL’s Columbia Valley Rockies. Tom was then appointed as the Provincial Project Coordinator with BC Hockey in 1989. He was later named the head coach of the WHL’s Kamloops Blazers. Tom’s career in hockey in the province did not stop there as in 1996 he was named head coach of the province’s only NHL team, the Vancouver Canucks. In 2006, Tom was inducted into the BC Hockey Hall of Fame in the coaching category.
BC Hockey Diamond Stick Award
Frank Lento, Fernie, B.C.: Frank was Chair of the 2010 Bid Committee for Ice Hockey, being a driving force in bringing the 2010 Olympic Ice Hockey Competition to Rogers Arena in Vancouver. He has spent time on the Board of Directors for Hockey Canada and his impact on the game in Canada stretch further than just the borders of B.C.. He also is a past president of BC Hockey and was inducted into the BC Hockey Hall of Fame as a builder in 2010.
Tom Renney, Cranbrook, B.C.: Tom has worked his way through the ranks of professional hockey over his more than three decades working in the sport. He started with the Trail Smoke Eaters before moving to the KIJHL’s Columbia Valley Rockies. He then became the coach of the Kamloops Blazers before beginning his NHL coaching career, assuming roles behind the bench of the Vancouver Canucks, New York Rangers, Edmonton Oilers and Detroit Red Wings. On July 15, 2014, Renney became the CEO of Hockey Canada.
Chair of the Board Award
Mike Rispin, Williams Lake MHA: Mike has been an integral part of Williams Lake Minor Hockey Association throughout his time on the William’s Lake board. He has helped encourage, promote, and grow hockey in the community, with a specific growth on the female game, and over the last 10 years Williams Lake MHA has grown to be one of the strongest female programs in the province.
Life Members’ Executive Award
Margie Moss, Okanagan Mainline Amateur Hockey Association: Margie joined OMAHA as their female director in 2004 when her daughter graduated from minor hockey and held the role until 2021 as a way to help grow the female game in the Okanagan. She has also been a part of the BC Hockey Female Development committee and more recently, the BC Hockey Female Task Group.
Indigenous Impact and Legacy Award
Joe Quewezance and Shane Gottfriedson: From 2011 to 2017 Joe Quewezance and Shane Gottfriedson served as the coaches for Team BC’s male team for the National Aboriginal Hockey Championships. In 2013, under their leadership the male team won its very first national title. Over their seven-year tenure, the male program won two national championships along with one silver and two bronze medals. Away from the rink, their roles on the provincial oversight committee were integral to the program’s growth and successes.
BC Hockey Safety Award
Anne Deitch, Burnaby MHA: Anne Deitch has volunteered with Burnaby Minor Hockey Association since the early 1990s where she has held roles such as an Executive Member and Administrator. She has been an active contributor to BC Hockey since 1999 where she acted as the Branch Safety & Risk Management Coordinator. Anne also won the Safety award in 2007 and with tonight’s honour becomes the only two- time winner of an individual award in BC Hockey history.
Ernie Gare Award – BC Hockey Coach of the Year
Devon Sandvold, U18 AAA T1 Central Zone Rockets: Devon Sandvold has been coaching for over 17 years and started coaching the U18 AA Tier 1 Central Zone Rockets in 2017. This season Devon and the Rockets had an outstanding 29-0-0 record, claiming the BC Hockey U218 Tier 1 Championship. Devon makes sure his players have their priorities straight, ensuring they focus on their family and schooling first and hockey second.
BC Hockey Official of the Year
Grace Barlow, Prince George, B.C.: Grace had a 2021-22 season that can only be described as exceptional. She was assigned to the BCEHL Female U18 AAA finals, the Pacific Regional Championship, and the Canada West women’s hockey playoff final. Grace was assigned as a Referee as part of the first all-female Junior A officiating crew in Canada, during a BCHL regular season game on October 17, 2021.
Frank Spring Award – Minor Hockey Association of the Year
Kerry Park Minor Hockey Association: Kerry Park Minor Hockey Association is one of the smaller associations on Vancouver Island, but they have had a significant impact on-and-off the ice throughout the 2021-22 season. One of the highlights of this season for Kerry Park was taking on the challenge of running the Bauer First Shift program, which helped 30 participants, the maximum number allowed for an association of their size, receive equipment, and take to the ice for six separate sessions.
Development Award – Coaching
Whitney Juszkiewicz, Edmonton, Alta.: Whitney Juszkiewicz is a trained Coach Evaluator and has completed nine Development 1 field evaluations throughout the 2021-22 season. She is also a trained Clinic Facilitator and throughout the year she facilitated two We Are Coaches clinics. These We Are Coaches clinics are female only, facilitated by female coaches, for female coaches. Whitney was registered as a coach for five teams in the 2021-22 season and holds all levels of coaching training.
Mike Landucci Development Award – Officiating
Cody Gessner, Nanaimo MHA: Cody Gessner took over as Referee-In-Chief for Nanaimo Minor Hockey Association in 2016 where he still works to this day. Cody began facilitating classroom time, once a month, to help younger officials learn and master the rules of the game. Cody is usually found at one of the rinks in the association every weekend, checking in to make sure staffing is full for each game and the officials feel supported.
Hockey Canada Officiating Awards
Jakin Charbanneau, Greater Vernon MHA: Most Improved
Owen Lohmeier, Okanagan MHA: Most Promising
John Mckenzie, Kitimat MHA: Most Deserving
Fred Heslop Minor Hockey Week Awards
Kurtis Lindsay, Tumbler Ridge Minor Hockey Association
Tiffany Rybachuk, Elk Valley Minor Hockey Association
Jodie Atkinson, Dawson Creek Minor Hockey Association
Dylan Martini, Oceanside Minor Hockey Association
Lori-Ann Williams, Salmon Arm Minor Hockey Association
BC Hockey Scholarship Recipients
Katherine (Katie) Liu, Burnaby MHA: Exceptional & Extraordinary
Sage Jull, Capital Region Female MHA: Exceptional & Extraordinary
Alex Oh, Richmond Jets MHA: Bruce Allison: Memorial Scholarship
Esther Boelema, Greater Vancouver Comets: Ted Hargreaves Memorial Scholarship
Nathan Chu, Richmond Jets MHA: Jeff Butler Memorial Scholarship
BC Hockey District Scholarship Recipients
Madison Roe, Windermere Valley MHA: East Kootenay
Nathan Medeiros, Nelson MHA: West Kootenay
Alicia Zhan, Burnaby Winter Club: Lower Mainland
Madigan Riplinger, Williams Lake MHA: North Central
Alyssa Maynard, Fort Nelson MHA: North East
Brooke Wandler, Kamloops MHA: Okanagan
Rory Sinden, Kerry Park MHA: Vancouver Island
BC Hockey Official’s Scholarship Recipients
Blake Moore, Port Alberni Bombers
Bryn McColl, Vancouver Thunderbirds MHA
Taylor Knott, Quesnel MHA
Ferdinand Tesang, Coquitlam MHA
Andon Maynard, South Okanagan MHA
Joaquin Mattick, Grand Forks MHA
Canucks Alumni Scholarship Recipients
Ryan Torok, Langley MHA: Darcy Rota Scholarship
Theodore St-Denis, Peninsula Panthers: Willie Mitchell Scholarship
Jake Maniago, Greater Trail MHA: Cesare Maniago Scholarship
Shawn Fisher, Quesnel MHA: Dan Hamhuis Scholarship
Mason Ouchi, Summerland Steam: Doug Lidster Scholarship
BFL Jim Stirling Memorial Scholarship Recipient
Samantha Kingcott, Capital Region Female MHA
BCEHL - Wilsons Transportation Scholarship Recipients
Nicholas Noren, Okanagan Rockets
Malika McDonald, Vancouver Island Seals
Telus Legacy Scholarship Recipients
Mitchell Lennox, Cariboo Cougars
Karsyn Niven, Northern Capitals
Vancouver Foundation: Yallouz/Thibeault Scholarship Recipient
Julia Clauzel, Fraser Valley Rush