The name Belak in well-known throughout hockey circles because of the NHL enforcer, who dons a Nashville Predators jersey.
Around the Battlefords it has two well-known connections. Yes - Wade, who has played 547 NHL games with the Predators, Florida Panthers, Toronto Maple Leafs, Calgary Flames and Colorado Avalanche, and the reason being Barry the longtime minor hockey volunteer, supporter of all things hockey and the step-father of Wade and Graham, who also played professional hockey both North America and Europe.
Lorraine, Barry's wife, brought him to the Don Ross Arena Saturday to watch a peewee AA tournament game and while there Barry was asked to join Battlefords Minor Hockey Association president Mark Pfeifer and other invited guest on the ice before the game.
Belak was presented with the 2011 SaskEnergy Volunteer Champion Award. Belak is not only a hockey dad, but has been involved with minor hockey in Battlefords for 26 years and has coach at every level from novice to AAA midget and has been an administrator at times as well during his 26 years of service.
"I am excited and honoured about the award," said Belak, "It is nice to get the recognition," adding that way you know you didn't waste your time and people appreciate what you do.
Belak explained that he always thought of coaching as, "something to get him off the couch and out of the house." Well 26 years later, and handful of league and provincial titles and provincial final appearances it appears it was time well spent.
At the beginning of the season, Belak couldn't be found behind the bench of any hockey team, but now with the provincial season upon us he is back where he feels most comfortable. This season Belak is coaching the Battlefords Bantam A Barons provincial team, as he looks to add another championship to his trophy case.
To this point, it has been just practice and preparation, but with the provincial draws coming out last week, it will soon turn to coaching behind the bench for Belak once again.
Through his entire volunteering coaching career there are some highlights that stand out for Belak, the main one being the opportunity to coach his sons and watch them grow up into professional hockey players. Another was having a chance to coach Greg Schmidt, who Belak says has went full circle and is now coaching the Battlefords Midget Stars.
Belak was also acknowledged as one of the 15 volunteers across Canada during the CBC special Hockey Day in Canada in January 2007.
The past award recipients in the Battlefords of the SaskEnergy Volunteer Champion Award include last year's winner Bob Kenny, who coached for 29 years at many levels throughout minor hockey and 2009 winner Lloyd Edmunds for his work in Zone 7 and on the SHA board as well as drafting the bylaws for the Battlefords Midget Stars.
