2024-2025 Player Recognition Award

Congratulations to all of the 2024-2025 Player Recognition Award Recipients!

HK301 Lewis Maslyk

We are excited to present Lewis Maslyk with the Player Recognition Award for the HK301 Team. Lewis has consistently been a key contributor throughout the season, bringing incredible skill and a competitive edge that makes him a game changer. But what truly sets him apart is the way he carries himself both on and off the ice.

Lewis exemplifies qualities that any coach would be proud to see in a player. He plays with fairness and integrity, shows respect for teammates and opponents alike, and leads by example. His dedication to his development and his determination to succeed have driven him to grow as a player, while his perseverance has helped him turn challenges into opportunities for improvement. He is an athlete who embodies sportsmanship, athleticism, and teamwork, making him an essential part of the HK301 Team.

Beyond his performance on the ice, Lewis has been a joy to be around. Whether at school, on playdates, or at the rink, his teammates gravitate toward his positive energy and friendly nature. He’s someone who uplifts those around him, making the entire team environment better simply by being himself.

Lewis’s passion for the game has continued to evolve. As a naturally emotional player, he channels his excitement and intensity into fuel that pushes him forward. Watching him harness that energy and develop resilience has been truly rewarding. This season is just the beginning for Lewis, and we’re all looking forward to what the future holds.

Congratulations, Lewis, on a remarkable season and well-deserved recognition. We couldn’t be prouder.

-Head Coach Shaun Maslyk

HK302 Owen Fyshe

Throughout the course of the 2024-25 season, Owen embodied the qualities of respect, leadership, sportsmanship, teamwork, dedication, perseverance, fair play, and athleticism. His passion for the game, coupled with his commitment to improvement, makes him a standout player and teammate.

Owen’s presence on and off the ice is infectious. His teammates are delighted when they share a shift with him, knowing they will work hard, support one another, and—most importantly—have fun. In the dressing room and beyond, Owen’s positive energy draws others in, helping foster strong team spirit.

Owen’s love for the game of hockey is evident in his strong drive to improve. During practice, he is focused, eager to learn and always open to feedback from coaches. Further, his strong work ethic helped set a high standard for our team. His commitment to improving also extends away from our team’s organized practices and games, as he is regularly practicing on his own time, at home and at the outdoor rink. His father Ben recounts that Owen regularly strapped on the goalie pads at home in preparation for his turn at goalie with our team.

Owen’s enthusiasm for the game and relentless work ethic on the ice have fueled his development into a strong, skilled and intelligent hockey player. When watching a Hawks 302 game, it is impossible not to notice his number 10 jersey buzzing around the ice. Whether he is making a big defensive play at the blue line, charging into the offensive zone with the puck, or successfully chasing down an opposing player on an incredible backcheck, Owen makes a remarkable contribution each time he is on the ice. Even opposing coaches regularly comment on Owen’s high tempo of play and never give up attitude that he brings to each shift.

Owen was a pleasure to coach and is beloved by his teammates. His success this season underscores the value of hard work and we eagerly look forward to his continued development.

-Head Coach Albert Nolette

HK303 Zachary Willson

Zach was selected as HK303’s recipient of the U9 Player Recognition Award by our coaching staff.

Zach consistently demonstrated a high level of skill, dedication and sportsmanship, always pushing himself to improve, supporting teammates and maintaining a positive attitude.

Beyond his performance on the ice, Zach embodies the values that we hold dear. His leadership set a standard for others to follow and has earned the admiration of teammates and coaches alike.

We are proud to honor Zach with the Hawks Player Recognition award and look forward to seeing all the continued greatness he will undoubtedly achieve in the future.

-Head Coach Adam Ferrante

HK304 Kaius Leddy

Kaius has shown exceptional dedication and enthusiasm with his hockey team this year. He has not missed a single team event, attends extra development skates, and has been practicing his stickhandling and shooting off the ice. He always shows an excellent attitude, being both respectful to coaches/teammates and sportsmanlike to opponents. He has shown a competitive drive and demonstrates great work ethic in games and practices, pushing himself as well as his teammates further by motivating them and leading by example.  In games, he consistently displays good leadership and teamwork by fiercely backchecking every single game and being unselfish with the puck with a pass first mentality. As all the coaches attest, it has been a pleasure coaching Kaius this year and his positive attitude and work ethic would be a welcome addition to any team.

-Head Coach Brent Leddy

HK305 Hervey Rulinda

Hervey works his butt off. Every game. Every shift. Every play. You can always count on him to give it 100% effort. In addition, he is pretty good at putting the puck in the net (and sometimes himself with it).

Harvey listens to his coaches and has consistently improved each of his skill sets this season. He is also kind and encouraging to his Hawks teammates and respective of his opponents.

Congratulations, Hervey!

-Head Coach Craig Brusnyk

HK306 MJ Best

I am very pleased to nominate Michael Best Jr. (“MJ”) for the 2024-25 Player Recognition Award for HK306.

As with many players on our team, this was MJ’s first year of organized hockey. I certainly hope that it was the first of many more years to come, as any future team that includes MJ on their roster will be rewarded with a great player and teammate.

When young players are just starting out, the thing that most excites them about the game is having the puck and trying to score a goal. MJ seemed to immediately understand that hockey is a team sport, and that you cannot have success unless everyone is working together. In our games, you could always count on MJ to have his head up, looking for a teammate to pass to. His game sense and team-first mentality are exceptional for a player his age and experience.

MJ is also very coachable. He came to every practice prepared to learn and get better. When you ask MJ to try something different in a drill or adjust his technique in this or that way, he will do it right away without question. I was particularly impressed with the way he embraced the defensive side of the game. His dedication to improving his skills set a really positive example for all the other rookies on our team. He was truly a pleasure to have on the ice each and every time.

MJ was not the most vocal guy in our group, but he drew people in this year with his big smile and laid-back demeanor. MJ is just as happy when his buddies score as he is to get one himself. Not surprisingly, he made many friends on the team, as I am sure he will on every team he plays for in the future.

Congratulations, MJ, on an outstanding season and all the very best to you as you continue in your hockey career.

-Head Coach Graham Baker

HK401 Thatcher Harrison

When it comes to offensive production, no one in Tier 1 made a bigger impact this season than HK401’s Thatcher Harrison. Leading the team in points and ranking among the top scorers in the league, Thatcher’s quickness and speed set him apart, allowing him to maneuver past defenders with ease and capitalize on scoring opportunities.

What truly elevated his game this season, however, was his ability to incorporate his teammates into the offense. By trusting in those around him, Thatcher’s point production soared, making him an even greater threat on the ice. His development wasn’t just a result of natural talent—it was built through relentless effort, dedication, and a strong work ethic. Whether it was pushing himself in practice, executing drills at full intensity, or soaking in every piece of coaching instruction, Thatcher put in the work every single day to refine his skills and maximize his potential.

His commitment to improvement and his ability to step up in key moments made him an invaluable leader for HK401 and one of the most dominant players in Tier 1. A true difference-maker every time he stepped on the ice, Thatcher Harrison is more than deserving of this Player of the Year recognition.

-Head Coach Shawn Melnyk

HK402 Frankie Niven

Frankie was one of the top defensemen on our hockey team this year and he possessed all the qualities and attributes you want in a defenseman.  He’s strong on the puck, battles hard in the corners, controls the front of the net, has a bomb of a shot that got better as the season went on, and we even got to see some Cale Makar-style rushes towards the end of the season!  Frankie is an extremely hard worker, has a passion for the game of hockey, and was a leader both on and off the ice.  Frankie really set himself apart from a lot of players at our level as his game sense and hockey IQ are at an elite level.  His passion for the game of hockey and high work ethic were brought to the rink every single day and it’s why his game transformed from good to great!

From a coach’s point of view, we all want the best players and the best team.  But, more important than that, we all want coachable kids, and Frankie was a poster child for the term “coachable”.  His listening skills and ability to understand what was being coached were next level and this made coaching Frankie an absolute joy this season.

Hockey skills aside, there is one other intangible Frankie possessed that I feel speaks to his character and to him as a person.  And that is RESPECT.  Frankie ALWAYS showed the utmost respect to his teammates, coaches, and officials.  There is more to hockey than just skating and shooting.  Frankie was a perfect role model to his peers and teammates and the level of maturity he showed at the very young age of 10/11 years old was absolutely amazing!

Frankie’s ceiling is very high, and I can’t wait to see what the future holds for him both on and off the ice!  Congratulations Frankie on a well earned and well-deserved award!

-Head Coach TJ Woodward

HK403 Oliver Fistric

From the moment Oliver stepped onto the ice, it was clear that he had a special connection to hockey. He embodies the values that make a true hockey player: hard work, teamwork, and a consistent smile.

What impresses me most about Oliver is his tenacity on the ice; he has a never-give-up attitude that can’t be taught. This leads to his ability to inspire teammates through his play. His positive attitude and infectious enthusiasm create a team-first mentality that elevates everyone around him. Whether celebrating victories or supporting each other through tough losses (of which we had our share), Oliver has become a leader on and off the ice.

A big part of this award is growth. Oliver started the year as a true “ankle skater” who squared off more than one puck with his stick handling, but with his drive, he developed and refined his skills every day, week, and month. He has now honed those skills to the point where he scored a few of the prettier goals of the year!

As a coach, it’s rewarding to see players grow not just as athletes but as individuals. Oliver has developed into a confident, compassionate, and driven young person. His love for hockey is evident in every game, every practice, and every interaction with teammates and opponents alike.

-Head Coach Lyle Van Wieren

HK404 Frederick Gordon

Well, HK404 had a fantastic year. Although it started on a rocky slope, our team ended up winning gold in not only Minor Hockey Week, but also the playoffs. It was a ship that needed finding its way during the beginning of the year. But as the year progressed, the team galvanized and grew stronger and stronger seemingly every week. This can be contributed to the character of the boys on the team, especially its leaders.

Whether it was in the good times or the bad times, Frederick was one of these leaders. He started the year off strong, winning the team MVP in our first game. His determination and effort were a shinning example for the other players to follow, and they did. All year, Steady Freddy, could be counted on to lead by example. It didn’t matter if he was playing forward or defence, Freddy’s effort and positivity could be counted on. Every time they were on the ice, Freddy was out there giving his all. Every time we were huddled up, Freddy was pipping in positive reinforcements. Every time we were down, Freddy was saying we can get back into it.

This young man has shown leadership qualities beyond his years. Before games Freddy would be caught going around the room pumping guys up, making sure they were mentally prepared, and even making sure his teammates made it out to the ice on time. Most people know that hockey starts well before ice time. Freddy is one of those people and proved it every time the team was together.

Every team needs someone to look up to, and someone for coaches to lean on to personify the qualities we want in our team. Freddy was that and more. A strong kid for a strong team. We were spoiled to have Frederick help lead the way this year.

-Head Coach Doug Glebe

HK405 Arthur Ruston

We’re thrilled to announce that Arthur Ruston has been selected as HK405’s 2024-25 recipient of the Player Recognition Award! He truly embodies the spirit of the award, and this honor is a testament to his dedication, sportsmanship, and leadership throughout his first U11 season.

From the very beginning, Arthur emerged as a leader within the team, setting an example in both practices and games. He was one of the first to volunteer to play defence, a position and skill he took very seriously. His commitment to improving his skills was evident, especially through his hard work attending Hawks-led Skill Skates. His dedication paid off, making him someone his teammates could rely on every step of the way.

Arthur’s respect for coaches, teammates, opponents, and officials is exemplary. His positive attitude and passion for hockey were contagious and helped carry the team through some of the toughest moments this season. It has truly been an honor to coach such a focused and inspiring player.

Congratulations, Arthur! Your hard work, respect, and leadership have set a high bar for future seasons.

-Head Coach Bryan Bartman

HK501 Jaxson Musey

It is with great pride that HK501 presents the 2024/25 Player Recognition Award to Jaxson Musey, a standout athlete who embodies the very best qualities of what it means to be a Hawk.

Jaxson’s exceptional dedication is evident in every practice and game, where he consistently pushes himself to improve while inspiring his teammates to do the same. His unwavering perseverance shines through in the face of challenges, as he never backs down from a tough play or a difficult moment, always rising to the occasion with grit and determination. Whether we are down by 5 goals or ahead by 5, Jaxson always strives to be his best.

His exceptional athleticism shines through in his dynamic play, consistently pushing the boundaries of what’s possible on the ice—a highlight being his remarkable performance in a single game where he scored an incredible 4 goals and delivered 3 assists, leading the team to a decisive victory.

Beyond his physical talent, Jaxson’s commitment to teamwork is unmatched—he’s the first to offer encouragement or celebrate a teammate’s success. Fostering a spirit of unity that elevates the entire squad. His leadership, both vocal and by example, guided our team with a steady, positive presence that others naturally follow.

On and off the ice, Jaxson displays impeccable sportsmanship and respect, treating opponents, officials, and peers with fairness and grace, win or lose.

Coupled with his outstanding athleticism—marked by speed, skill, a relentless work ethic, and faceoff winning prowess—Jaxson is a true role model for what it means to be a Hawk.

Congratulations, Jaxson Musey, for being the heartbeat of our squad and a shining example of excellence! Good luck next season at U15!

– Head Coach Jean-Marie Robert

HK502 Ryland Malay

Ryland is the kind of hockey player every coach dreams of having on their team. His relentless hustle and unwavering determination set him apart on the ice, making him a force to be reckoned with in every game. No matter the score or the situation, Ryland gives 100% effort, chasing down every loose puck, battling in the corners, and never backing down from a challenge.

What truly makes Ryland special, though, is his attitude. He approaches every practice and game with a positive mindset, always eager to learn and improve. Whether celebrating a big win or bouncing back from a tough loss, Ryland remains a steady, uplifting presence in the locker room. He leads by example, shows resilience in adversity, lifts up those around him with words of encouragement and always has a team-first mentality. His dedication to the game and his teammates makes him a natural leader both on and off the ice.

Beyond his skill and tenacity, Ryland plays with a heart as big as his talent. He cares deeply about his team, always willing to support his teammates and celebrate their successes as much as his own. His sportsmanship, respect for the game, and genuine love for hockey shine through in everything he does. Ryland isn’t just a great player—he’s the kind of person who makes the game better simply by being a part of it.

– Head Coach Jordan Gauld

HK503 Miles Mamic

The Hawks HK503 Coaching Staff would like to recognize our goalie Miles Mamic for the Player Recognition Award.

Miles is a perfect example of what sportsmanship looks like. Whether he’s making an insane save or just encouraging his teammates, he always carries himself with such respect for the game and for everyone around him. But what really sets Miles apart is his dedication. He’s the first one at practice and the last one to leave, always working to improve his skills, no matter how good he already is. It’s that kind of work ethic that inspires the whole team.

But it’s not just about the saves he makes or the practices he puts in. Miles is a true team player. He understands that it’s all about working together, and you can always count on him to have your back, whether he’s on the ice or off it. And, on top of all that, he has this positive energy that’s contagious. His attitude lifts everyone up, even on tough days.

The best part is seeing how much he’s grown. Each game, you can tell he’s learning, adapting, and getting even better. His improvement has been incredible, and we’re lucky to have him on the team.

So, here’s to Miles – a player who shows what hard work, teamwork, and a great attitude can really do. Keep it up, man. We’re all cheering for you!

– Head Coach Tyler Kapty

HK504 Hayden Misener

Hayden embodies our team motto of PHD: Pride, Hustle, and Determination. He consistently sets the right example, stands up for his teammates, changes the momentum in games, and lifts others up. On the ice, Hayden is a key player who works tirelessly to improve every time he plays. Off the ice, he is equally engaged, always offering positive words and leading the initiative to start stretching before games.

Having Hayden on this team was a privilege. His dedication and positive attitude made a significant impact on all of us. I thoroughly enjoyed working with Hayden at every practice and game.

Congratulations, Hayden, on this well-deserved recognition!

– Head Coach Shaun McCabe