LoW youth hockey players net awards

Ken Johnston
Editor

About 400 parents and kids were on hand last Monday evening at the Rainy River Community Centre to honour the best players of the Lake of the Woods youth hockey program 2003-04.
After a great supper the coaches and teams were called up to the stage for comments and awards presentations.
The Mini-mites were first up. All of them received certificates and while their coach said that scores are not kept at this level he said the kids played in two tournies and that the kids said they were 3-3-1 on the season.
The Mites and their coaches Darren Olson and Jeff Torgeson were next to take center stage. Olson said, “We had 25 games for the Mite B’s and they did good.” Torgeson echoed those comments for the Mite A’s and added thanks to the parents. All of them received certificates.
Squirt B’s coach Steve Bitter said the team had 10 wins on the season and that all members of the team improved dramatically over the season. Several awards were presented:
Hat-trick: Travis Tom and David Stay
Playmaker: Travis Tom
Most Dedicated: Doug Potts
Most Improved: David Stay
Most Sportsmanlike: Kay Johnson
Ten and Under Girls Assistant Coach Cory Ney said that the team had a mixed season winning a few and losing a few. He said the highlight of the season was placing 4th in Districts.
Awards presented:
Hat-trick: Jaylene Anderson, Cory Wightman, Karlee Thompson, Kayla Thompson and Mariah Reinhart
Shutout: Emily Ney and Shelby Nosan.
Squirt A’s coaches Curt Bitter and Dean Peters said the group worked hard all season and did what they were asked to do every night. The Bitter said the highlight of the season was beating White Bear Lake, Warroad, Fort Frances and International Falls during the season. Each player received a certificate as well as several awards:
Hat-trick: Travis Mollberg and Isacc Bitter
Shutout: Alexander Lyon
Playmaker: Isacc Bitter
10,000 shots: Isacc Bitter
Most Sportsmanlike: Justin Peters
Most Improved: Hayden Timm
Most Dedicated: Isacc Bitter
Each coach received a framed print of the team’s photo with the Stanley Cup from the team.
Pee Wee B’s coach Dennis Kuzyk said that the season started off with devastating losses to powerhouse teams. However, through hard work and determination the team improved to the point where it was beating those powerhouse teams late in the season. Each of the team members received a special season souvenir book compiled by Linda Beller as well as a certificate. Other awards were as follows:
Hat-trick: Brayden Beller, Brandon Brigham and Matt Godin
Shutout: Jake Pelach
Playmaker: Brandon Brigham
Most Sportsmanlike: Will Cunningham
Most Improved: Zack Rasmussen
Most Dedicated: Kyle Poolman
Dane Wood Memorial Award: Brandon Brigham
12 and under girls awards were as follows:
Hat-trick: Brenley Anderson and Kaitlynne Thompson
Shutout: Jessie Buegler
Most Improved: Holland Johnson
Most Dedicated: Kristen Moen
Most Sportsmanlike: Brenley Anderson
Pee Wee A’s coach Barry Westerlund congratulated the team on scoring 152 goals over the season. Awards were as follows:
Hat-trick: Andrew Kraft and Jaylin Stay
Playmaker: James McInerney
Shutout: Alexander Lyon
Most Improved: Jeremy Cole
Most Dedicated: Michael Pieper
Most Sportsmanlike: Andrew Kraft
Bantams awards were as follows:
Hat-trick: Travis Anderson and Kam Kuzyk
Playmaker: Bryce Ravndalen
Most Improved: Andy Moen
Most Dedicated: Kyle Horntvedt
Most Sportsmanlike: Kam Kuzyk
Barry Westerlund also announced that the Baudette arena concession stand raised $14,000 towards a new sheet of ice in Baudette.