BC HOCKEY'S 2023-24 AWARD RECIPIENTS
For Immediate Release
June 8, 2024
Saanichton B.C. – BC Hockey wrapped-up the 2024 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 2023-24 BC Hockey Awards are:
BC Hockey Diamond Stick Award
Nonie Miyazaki, Merritt MHA: Nonie has been involved with hockey for over 40 years volunteering at the minor hockey, district and provincial levels. She spent 15 years as Merritt MHA's treasurer and register before joining Okanagan Mainline Amateur Hockey Association as the District Registrar for 25 years. Nonie has been a member of the BC Hockey Operations Task Group since 2015.
Chair of the Board Award
Maegan Thompson, Capital Region Female MHA: As Capital Region Female MHA's Director of Recruitment and Mentorship, Maegan has put an emphasis on grassroots programming, providing memorable introductions to the game of hockey for girls in the Victoria area. Over the past five seasons, Maegan has coached five NHL First Shift Programs, and 10 six-week Esso Fun Day programs. This past season, Capital Region Female MHA was selected out of 70 applicants, to deliver the pilot program for Hockey Canada/IIHF’s “Try Hockey” Program.
Indigenous Impact and Legacy Award
Calvin Swustus Jr., Cowichan Valley MHA: Calvin is a coach and spiritual advisor with the Salish Storm Hockey Association, which is a hockey program that provides an opportunity to promote improvement of self-esteem, physical health and social skills of Indigenous children and youth through involvement in hockey. Away from the rink, Calvin is a leader in his community, working as an aftercare worker with the Hiiyey’yu Lelum House of Friendship Society, which provides counselling, education and recreational activities for Indigenous people in Duncan.
Frank Spring Award – Minor Hockey Association of the Year
Langley Minor Hockey Association: During their 50th anniversary, Langley MHA celebrated with events throughout the season. They hosted a barbeque at George Preston Rec Centre for over 500 members, multiple “Langley Minor Hockey Nights” at Vancouver Giants games, and their annual “Santa Skate”. “Calling an Alumni” night, which was an alumni game at the Langley Events Centre with nearly 1000 past and present Langley MHA members and their families in attendance. Four teams made appearances at the 2023-24 BC Hockey Championships around the province, and hosted the U18 Tier 2 Championship.
Ernie Gare Award – BC Hockey Coach of the Year
Karen Kos, North Shore Winter Club: Karen has been coaching minor hockey for 20 seasons, and has coached the same group of girls for seven season. This past season, Karen led the North Shore Winter Club Female U13 A1 team to new heights, as they took part the Quebec International Pee Wee tournament in February, as the first-ever Female team from Western Canada to appear in the tournament. The North Shore Winter Club Female U13 A1 Winterhawks also won the banner at the Female U13 BC Hockey Championship in March, marking the first BC Hockey championship at that level in program history.
BC Hockey Official of the Year
Melissa Brunn, Kelowna MHA: During the 2023-24 season Melissa officiated at the 2024 IIHF Division 1 U18 Women’s World Championship in Italy, made her PWHL officiating debut in February of 2024, officiated in her second consecutive USports Women’s Championship, and was the first female official to be assigned to a KIJHL Championship Series. This past season also marked her first full season as a member of the National High Performance Officiating Group and graduated from the Hockey Canada and IIHF Elite Women’s Training Camp. Melissa also serves as a local and regional officiating coach, developer, assignor and mentor, and was also the lead instructor for the 2023 BC Hockey Female Officiating Program of Excellence.
BC Hockey Safety Award
Brad Bemis, Kitimat MHA: Full-time firefighter and paramedic in Kitimat, Brad has been involved with Kitimat MHA since the 2019-20 season, Brad was the Safety Person for the 2023-24 Provincial Championship winning Kitimat U13 Tier 4 Winterhawks, and also at the U9 level.
Development Award – Coaching
Brian Sugiyama, Nanaimo MHA: A valuable member of Hockey Canada’s Coaching Program Delivery Group, Brian serves as the BC Hockey Regional Evaluation Lead for the North and South Island Districts. During the 2023-24 season, Brian facilitated 21 coaching clinics, more total deliveries than any other facilitator, including eight Coach 2 clinics and eight Development 1 clinics. Brian was also behind the bench as head coach of the Nanaimo MHA U15 C2 Clippers, a team which his granddaughter plays on.
Mike Landucci Development Award – Officiating
Larry Lenarduzzi, Kelowna MHA: The Kelowna MHA Referee-in-Chief and BC Hockey’s South Okanagan Officiating Lead oversees 190 active officials within Kelowna MHA. Dedicated to the development of officials in his area, Larry constantly picks up any available weeknight ice times to put on development sessions for younger officials. Larry puts together a monthly newsletter to recognize achievements of Kelowna MHA officials, and also educational pieces so that they can continue to learn and improve. Larry has put together a mentorship group of experienced officials who attend games on weekends and provide feedback to the younger referees.
Hockey Canada Officiating Awards
Most Deserving: Logan Marsh, Kimberley MHA
Most Improved: Lucy Lum, Capital Region Female MHA
Most Promising: Nicholas Gillam, Langley MHA
Fred Heslop Minor Hockey Week Awards
Jodi Bradford, Greater Trail MHA
Glynis Vennberg, Prince George MHA
Lily Roberts, Greater Vernon MHA
Samantha Barrowcliff, Alberni Valley MHA
Daryl Stepaniuk, Penticton MHA
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