BCEHL ANNOUNCES HUMANITARIAN AWARD WINNERS

Simone Duifhuis of the Greater Vancouver Comets is the Female U18 AAA League recipient of the Humanitarian Award for the first half of the 2023-24 season. 

Simone has been extremely active within both the hockey community and the community at large. The Comets’ captain has consistently volunteered with her former Minor Hockey Association, Vancouver Female Ice Hockey Association's (VFIHA) U15 team. Simone has been both an on-ice coach and has contributed to VFIHA’s development sessions.

The Burnaby, B.C. native also played a pivotal role in raising awareness around the Comets’ Second Annual Pink in the Rink game in support of the Forward Foundation.

Away from the ice, Simone plays an active role within her community at both school and church. The 17-year-old is president of her high school’s athletic committee. This role keeps her busy supporting the school’s athletic program with tasks such as scorekeeping and filming games. Simone has also spent time volunteering at the Anvil Island Bible Camp.

As team captain, Simone has also been a part of the team’s leadership group, and has helped the team achieve a 10-8-1-1 record through the first half of the season, which puts the Comets in third place heading into the break. The 5’9” forward has played in all 20 games for the Comets and has one goal and three assists to this point.

Congratulations to the following nominees: Gabby Hales (Vancouver Island Seals), Rebecca Noble (Fraser Valley Rush), Payton Planetta (Northern Capitals), and Lily Roberts (Thompson-Okanagan Lakers)

The U18 AAA Humanitarian Award winner for the first half of the 2023-24 season is James Eagle of the Vancouver North East Chiefs.

James has made a concerted effort to volunteer his time both on-and-off the ice to help improve his community. The 5’9” – 150 lb forward has taken a large role to help players from his area develop on the ice. James proved to be an accomplished and dedicated student and was able to graduate from high school a year early. He now dedicates three to four mornings a week to help players through the local High School Skills Academy, which provides mentorship and skill development to grade eight to 11 students at Riverside, Centennial and Pitt Meadows Secondary Schools. The players James mentors participate with the following minor hockey associations (MHA); Port Coquitlam MHA, Ridge Meadows MHA, Coquitlam MHA, and Port Moody MHA.

The 17-year-old also volunteers his time within the Chiefs’ organization. On Monday evenings, he acts as a U18 AAA mentor during the offensive skill development sessions for U17 AAA and U15 AAA players. During these sessions, James provides demonstrations, tips and added instructions for the younger Chiefs’ players and minor hockey affiliated players in attendance.

This December, James and his Chiefs teammates volunteered with the Salvation Army. The Port Coquitlam MHA alum participated in the Kettle Bell Campaign that collects donations to help those in need at Christmas time, and to help spread some holiday cheer.

James has played in all 22 of the Chiefs’ games this year, and has helped the team to a 17-3-0-2 record, which currently puts them in first place in the league. The Port Coquitlam native has notched seven goals and 12 assists on the campaign for 19 points.

Congratulations to the following nominees: Cole Dowling (Vancouver North West Hawks), Lucas Epp (Greater Vancouver Canadians), Ashur Gjaltema (Thompson Blazers), Noah Lawless (Fraser Valley Thunderbirds) and Mason Loewen (Cariboo Cougars).

Cariboo Cougars forward Carter Hauk is the recipient of the U17 AAA League’s Humanitarian Award for the first half of the 2023-24 season.

Carter has given back to his community both at the rink and away from it this year. When he is not at the rink with the Cariboo Cougars, he is oftentimes on the ice wearing the stripes as an official for minor hockey in his area. The third-year official also gives back to the game as an on-ice helper with Prince George Minor Hockey Association’s (MHA) ‘Learn to Skate’ program, passing along his skills to those who are just starting out. He also spends his time helping out as a stick boy with the WHL’s Prince George Cougars.

After playing at the AA level last year for a team that didn’t win a game all season, Carter stayed motivated, giving his all every time he stepped on the ice. This commitment and intensity eventually secured himself a spot at the AAA level for the Cariboo Cougars this season.

Away from the rink, the 15-year-old stays busy helping out with his school’s athletics programs. The Prince George MHA alum is involved as a volunteer volleyball scorekeeper at his high school. Among all of his work on-and-off the ice, Carter also maintains academic excellence in the classroom.

He has suited up in all 22 of the Cougars’ contests this year, helping the Cougars to sixth- place in the ultra-completive U17 AAA League standings with a record of 8-8-4-2. The Prince George native has chipped in with three assists this season and has only recorded four penalty minutes, the lowest on the team by any player who has played in all 22 games.

Congratulations to the following nominees: Mason Begg (Fraser Valley Thunderbirds), Jamie Frizzell (Vancouver North West Hawks), Adam Lenarduzzi (Valley West Giants), Kendric Liu (Greater Vancouver Canadians) and Kieran Milne (Thompson Blazers). 

Kieran Dartnell of the Fraser Valley Thunderbirds is winner of the U15 AAA League’s Humanitarian Award for the first half of the 2023-24 season.

Kieran has gone above and beyond so far this season, both on and off the ice. He has become a big part of Chilliwack Minor Hockey Association’s (MHA) initiation program, helping the next crop of young players learn the game of hockey in a fun and engaging way.

Away from the rink, Kieran and his family have once again participated in the ‘Chilliwack Adopt-a-Senior’ program, an initiative that pairs community members up with a local senior who may be in need of some seasonal cheer around the holidays. Because of this, the Fraser Valley Thunderbirds program have all gotten involved this year to bring more smiles to the faces of those in their community.

Kieran has been a big reason why the Fraser Valley Thunderbirds find themselves in top spot in the U15 AAA league with a record of 15-2-0-0, putting up 21 points (11g-10a) through 17 games this season. The 14-year-old is also yet to record a single penalty minute this season.

Congratulations to the following nominees: Cole Chapman (Cariboo Cougars) and Jake Gustafson (Greater Vancouver Canadians).