STURGIS, PREECEVILLE — The Preeceville hockey community gathered to celebrate their players and the season that was.
Preeceville Minor Hockey held a supper and awards banquet at the Sturgis Community Hall on April 13. After the ceremony, Corrie J provided entertainment, performing some mentalism and organizing interactive music games.
Cory Paul, the president of the association, acknowledged the volunteer coaches and managers that made the season possible.
“Volunteers are the pillars of the minor hockey experience and without them, local hockey simply wouldn’t exist. The commitment of time and determination serves not just our teams but each and every one of our kids. Speaking as a parent, it then serves our hearts.”
Each team presented most improved, most dedicated and most team spirit medals, sponsored by Esso.
U7
Coach Karl Checkowy presented the awards to the U7 team.
“I want to thank all the parents of U7 and the players very much,” he said. “They put up with my antics and basically, I was alongside them learning how to skate at the same time, so I very much appreciate that.”
The most dedicated award was presented to Oliver Nelson, most improved to Stetson Checkowy and most team spirit to Avery Storeschuk.
U9
This year’s batch of U9 team members didn’t have the best start, but they overcame and made it to playoffs.
The season started with three big losses, but the team gelled and ended the regular season with winning seven out of their last eight games.
“This year has been filled with ups and downs, twists and turns and more faceoffs than we can count, but through it all you've stuck together as a team and friends. Whether we were celebrating a hard fought victory or consoling each other after a tough loss, you were proving that,” said Coach Nathan Seghers.
“You have shown that you're in this together united by your love for the game and unwavering dedication to each other and all you guys should be proud of yourselves.”
The most dedicated award was presented to Ryder Beatty, most improved to Maverick Tremblay and most team spirit to Kage Babiarz.
U11
This year’s U11 team was a unique group, as the team was split between a number of communities. Even after joining with Canora, they were short on players and relied on some U9 call-ups to fill key roles.
“As a coach, it puts you in a different spot. I've coached for a lot of years. For me for this year was more to see where some of the kids were at the end of the season compared to where they started at the beginning,” said Coach Conrad Peterson.
The most dedicated award was presented to Chance Weinbender, most improved to Coy Kraynick and most team spirit to Drae Peterson.
U13
Coach Jared Lukey acknowledged the players, coaches and managers in making their season possible.
“The first thanks I’d like to give is to all the athletes. You guys are awesome. It's been a pleasure to coach you guys all through the years. We've been a part of the coaching staff for you for quite a few years now and I purely enjoy watching you all grow up and become fantastic men and women.”
The most dedicated award was presented to Nixon Lukey, most improved to Ryder Seversen and most team spirit to Lise Nokinsky.
Lukey added a few more awards. Top defense was Carter Moekerk, top forward was Ethan Balawyder and most valuable player was Nate Korpusik.
Seniors
The Preeceville Senior Pats also presented their awards at the minor hockey event.
Jesse Nelson, the coach, said after being back from a 20 year absence, their team was young and highly inexperienced compared to most in the Sask East Hockey League.
“We wanted to develop a good base for a strong team for years to come and I believe that we accomplished that,” he said.
“We are still experiencing some growing pains and will probably continue to do so for the next couple of years but we've showed steady improvement each game and our players never gave up and never turned against one another.”
This year, the Pats presented the same awards they did two decades ago
“We thought it'd be neat to see the different generations of people from the same community sharing the same awards.”
The most improved award went to Alex Nagy, rookie of the year to Hudsyn Nelson, top goaltender to Coleman Metherell, top defense to Shae Peterson, top forward to Dawson Paul, top scorer to Dreyton Paul and Hudsyn Nelson, and most valuable player to Coleman Metherell.
Bequeathment
Jack Prien was a volunteer who devoted 68 years to Preeceville Minor Hockey. He died last February.
“He gave a lot. He gave a lot of time. He gave a lot of money. He gave a lot of heart and his passion was Preeceville hockey,” Candace Kuta said.
“Jack never wanted to see hockey fail in our community and has so generously left his entire estate to Preeceville Minor Hockey.”
Next season
Registration for next season will open around May 15.
Over the summer, President Paul said, the Town of Preeceville is planning to put a new roof over the rink lobby.
“We are excited to announce that the town is on board with the ice being started mid-September, which brings practices to start late September of this year.”
