Season wraps up for youth hockey players

Ken Johnston
Editor

Last Monday evening about 300 people from both Rainy River and Baudette gathered to break bread and honour the 150 minor hockey players that participated in the program this past year.
Three years ago the Rainy River Minor Hockey Program merged with the Lake of the Woods Youth Hockey Program. Kids from both sides of the Canadian-American border practise and play together.
The first team to be called up on the stage at the Rainy River Recreation Center was the Mini Mites. Coach Darren Olson said that the future of the program was on that stage and said, “We need to do whatever we can do to see a program grow and whatever we can to get kids involved in hockey.” All the kids received certificates and trophies for a job well done during the season.
The Major Mites were next to take the stage. Coach Steve Bitter thanked his fellow coaches Jeff Torgenson, Darren Dahl and Dallas Block. He also thanked the parents for their support and all the players for a great season.
Three members of the team earned hat-trick awards: Hayden Timm, Nick Bitter and Travis Tom.
Squirt B’s coach Hoscheid said, “We had some serious fun out there this season!” They finished 21-10-3 on the season. He thanked fellow coaches Dean Peters and Steven Bitter.
Most Improved Player (MIP): Zack Gustafson (goalie)
Most Sportsman Player (MSP): Ian Sugden
Most Dedicated Player (MDP): A.J. Pirkl (defense)
Bill Brown, Brayden Bonhomme, Mat Godin and Justin Peters all earned hat-trick awards during the season.
Squirt A’s coach Curt Bitter thanked fellow coach Barry Westerlund and the parents for their support during the season. “Our record was 16-25-1, which was below my expectations when we started the season,” said Bitter. However he noted that 12 games were lost by only 1 goal and that 3 of them were overtime losses and 4 were double overtime losses.
MIP: Jayden Chorney
MSP: Jeremy Cole
MDP: Issacc Bitter
Alex Lyon received a shut-out patch.
Jon-Carlo Westerlund, Brayden Beller, Jeremy Cole, Jayden Chorney and Cody Hasbargen all scored hat-tricks throughout the season. Receiving playmaker awards was Brandon Brigham, Jon-Carlo Westerlund and Cody Hasbargen.
The girls 10 and under hockey team finished about 500 on the season and came in 2nd place at a tournament in Warroad. Picking up hat-tricks were Shelby Nosan and Kori Wightman. Karlay Thompson received a playmaker award.
Pee Wee A’s were 15-25 on the season.
Picking up hat trick awards were Dan Usiski, Jr., Cody Carlson, Kam Kuzyk and Bryce Ravendalen. James McInerney received the playmaker award.
MIP: Jalen Stay
MSP: Kam Kuzyk
MDP: Bryce Ravendalen
Pee Wee B team coach Dennis Kuzyk said that the effort of the boys was “unreal!”
MIP: Matt Copenace
MSP: Jordan Hanson
MDP: Thomas Anderson
Hat-trick awards went to Mitch Seguin and Jordan Gustafson. Playmakers went to Garrett Nelson and Travis Mykytyn.
The Dane Wood Memorial Award was presented in recognition of a player’s overall love of the game and efforts on the ice. This year Matt Copenace received it.
Bantam hockey team
MIP: Andy Moen
MSP: John Eaton
MDP: Taylor Baade
Hat-trick: Travis Anderson
Playmaker: Joel Ashworth
Girls 15 and up hockey had the best record in the program this year at 23-19-2. Coach Mike Moshier said, “Every one of them worked their butts off scoring 131 goals, 115 assists and 9 shut-outs.” Four of the girls had over 30 pts., 2 over 20 and 2 over 10.
MIP: Jackie Sorrels
MSP: Shantelle Davidson
MDP: Amy Hasbargen
Hat-trick: Courtney Bitter and Amy Hasbargen
Shut-out: Jackie Sorrels and Kaitlyn Thompson