Players of the Year 2023-2024

Congratulations to all of the Hawks Players of the Year for 2023-2024

HK301: Jack B

I have the privilege to speak about a player who truly embodies the spirit of our team and exemplifies what it means to be a Hawk. Jack B, our Player of the Year for HK301, stands out not just for his remarkable skills on the ice, but for his outstanding leadership and personality. Jack’s presence among us is like a guiding light. His ability to lead by example, to step up to any challenge, and to inspire those around him is truly commendable. Whether it’s during intense games where we need a goal or in moments of camaraderie during practice, Jack’s leadership shines through, setting the standard for us all. As our Player of the Year, let’s not just focus on Jack’s statistics or game-winning plays. Let’s also recognize the intangible qualities that make him an invaluable asset to our team – his passion, his dedication, and his unwavering commitment to our collective success. In Jack, we see the embodiment of what it truly means to be a Hawk. Let’s rally behind him, drawing inspiration from his leadership as we continue to strive for excellence together.

HK302: Cohen H

As we reflect on the achievements of our players this season, it gives me great pleasure to announce Cohen H as the recipient of our Player Recognition Award for his exceptional contributions to our team. Cohen’s journey this year has been nothing short of remarkable. He has exhibited remarkable growth in his skills and hockey knowledge, demonstrating significant improvements in skating, positioning, and overall game IQ. Cohen’s dedication to his craft is evident in his willingness to learn and adapt, always seeking guidance to enhance his performance on the ice.

One of Cohen’s standout qualities is his versatility and team-first mentality. He seamlessly transitioned between playing defense and forward, showcasing his adaptability and selflessness for the greater good of the team. His positive demeanor and infectious enthusiasm have made him a joy to be around, fostering a supportive and encouraging atmosphere for his teammates, coaches, and parents alike. Throughout the season, Cohen consistently displayed an unwavering commitment to giving his best effort on the ice. His resilience and sportsmanship were exemplary, never allowing frustration to cloud his positivity or deter his focus from the game at hand. Cohen’s leadership both on and off the ice, set a shining example for his peers, demonstrating responsibility, respect, and a competitive spirit tempered with humility.

On the ice, Cohen’s performance was nothing short of outstanding. He showcased exceptional defensive skills while also contributing effectively to our offensive plays. His coachability, coupled with his listening skills and respect for all stakeholders, reflects his maturity beyond his years. In summary, Cohen embodies the essence of our Player Recognition Award. His dedication, sportsmanship, leadership, and versatile skill set make him a truly deserving recipient. Please join me in congratulating Cohen for his outstanding achievements this season.

HK303: Lyric P

Throughout the course of the 2023-24 season, Lyric not only displayed, but embodied the qualities of respect, leadership, sportsmanship, teamwork, dedication, perseverance, fair play, and athleticism.

Lyric is a kind and respectful young player. His teammates revel with enthusiasm when they are lined up with Lyric on the ice, knowing they will have fun, make creative plays and help one another succeed. They are also drawn to Lyric’s positive demeanor in the dressing room and away from the rink. Lyric is a leader who is always eager to engage with his teammates and include them in drills, conversations or activities.

Lyric’s commitment to improvement and development is exceptional. He is consistently the first one at the rink, whether for practice or a game, ensuring he is prepared and ready. During practice, he is attentive, open to feedback from coaches and hard working. His approach to practice helps set a high standard in terms of work ethic. 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 dedication and approach laid the foundation for his remarkable skill development. Indeed, Lyric has blossomed into a skilled hockey player. For example, despite this only being his second season of organized hockey, Lyric’s shot is among the most accurate in his tier. Similarly, his skating and hockey IQ have shown significant growth over the course of the year. His improved balance, cross-overs and acceleration now allow him to adeptly deke through defenders before firing a “bar-down” goal or setting up a teammate for a one-timer goal.

In short, Lyric was a pleasure to coach. He is a kind and well liked player with a strong work ethic. His progress this season is a model for his peers and underscores how dedication and hard work can lead to remarkable growth and improvement.

HK304: Rhys BT

In every game and practice, Rhys embodies the spirit of true sportsmanship and teamwork, distinguishing himself not just through athletic ability but through the qualities that make a player truly stand out.

Rhys approaches every game and practice with his hard work and leading by example. Even on days when he wasn’t feeling the greatest, Rhys’s determination remained unshaken, inspiring both teammates and coaches alike.

Fair play and respect are principles that Rhys has shown all year long in every game we played, both on and off the ice. He treats teammates, opponents and coaches with the utmost respect, and sportsmanship in every game he has played this year.

Rhys’s leadership and teamwork skills are evident. He constantly encourages his teammates, offering support during challenging times and celebrating their successes as if they were his own.

Rhys’s athleticism and commitment to the game are undeniable. His ability to motivate and uplift his teammates made him a valuable player on our team. Rhys demonstrates that the heart and soul of hockey lies not in individual accomplishments but in the thrill of playing the game with friends and even in his case his brother and the bonds it brings.

In conclusion, Rhys is a player who not only exhibits outstanding qualities such as fair play, dedication, teamwork, perseverance, respect, leadership, sportsmanship, and athleticism but also uplifts those around him to strive for the same excellence. It is for these reasons that I believe Rhys is the perfect recipient for the Player Recognition Award.

HK305: Kallen C

This young Hawk exemplifies the criteria of the award. He’s respectful to his coaches, teammates, opponents and officials and is undoubtably at the top of his class for his dedication, fair play, teamwork, respect, athleticism and sportsmanship.

This was Kallen’s first season of organized hockey, and in spite of that he always led by example this season. He committed himself to becoming a better player through hard work and dedication, this was especially clear in practice. He was relied upon by our coaches to demonstrate a skill or proper technique, which was key for our young group. In games he would strategize with his teammates and consult with coaches, always coming up with new ways to create scoring chances. He was as happy when a teammate scored, as he would be for his own goal. Kallen would always be the first to ask what made a teammate upset, not just because he was curious, but to find a way to help the situation. Incredible leadership for this age group.

His work away from our team propelled him to improve immensely through the season. For our Wednesday practices at the Garrison, he would come straight from his Power Skating lessons and would always give us everything he had left in the tank.

U11

HK401: Dierks S

The Hawks 401 Player Recognition Award goes to Dierks S. We were lucky to have many candidates for this award on our team this year, however Dierks stood out as the winner for many reasons. As a team, we talked throughout the year about being a good teammate and Dierks exemplified the characteristics of a good teammate.

Dierks was happy to be at the rink every day, whether it was a game or practice, he consistently worked hard and encouraged his teammates. Every season has its ups and downs and Dierks was a great example of how to persevere through the times when things aren’t going your way or the team’s way.

On the ice, an area of our focus for our team was passing the puck and Dierks consistently generated chances for our team through his ability to find the open man. Whatever the team needed, Dierks was willing to do as he played center, wing and defence at different times of the year. He was always respectful to his opponents and the referees. Dierks’ joy at being on the ice was evident on line changes when we had music in between whistles and he would dance to the bench for the change.

Dierks, our entire coaching staff would like to thank you for your hard work, positivity, coachability and focus on being a good teammate. As you continue on your hockey journey we want you to know how valuable those characteristics are both in and outside of hockey. They rub off on your teammates and the people around you in small ways that make a big difference over time. Good luck in the coming years!

HK402: Caleb R

Goalie Caleb R was a cornerstone of this year’s HK402 squad. An outstanding last line of defense and a leader both on and off the ice, Caleb quite often faced more shots than his coaches could count and he never missed a practice or a game. On top of that, he always showed up with a great attitude and infectious smile on his face.

The dedication shown by Caleb and his family was also remarkable. Sometimes, Caleb didn’t even have the chance to fully change out of his goalie gear before going to play another game for HK401!

Caleb: Your love for hockey is why coaches coach, and your winning attitude–both before and after games–can’t be taught. We all look forward to watching you grow as a hockey player, and as a person, in the future. Thanks for a great year!

HK403: Andrew P

Our nominee for the 2023-24 Player Recognition Award from HK403 is Andrew P. Andrew was a fierce competitor for our team this year and played as both a goalie and a skater. Whether he was in net, staring down the opposition on a breakaway, or battling in the corner as one of our most effective forwards, Andrew never backed down and refused to be intimidated by a big moment (or a bigger player!). His game, which was already quite strong coming into the year, improved over the course of the season – a testament to his dedication and hard work. Andrew is a “team first” player, and an intelligent and perceptive young man, and the HK403 coaches noticed and appreciated how communicative he was on the ice and on the bench, pointing out adjustments to help our team play better together, while also encouraging his teammates and celebrating their successes.

Andrew’s windmill glove saves reminded us of his hockey hero, Marc-Andre Fleury, and that resemblance carried through to how Andrew conducted himself off the ice as well. Like Fleury, Andrew has a great sense of humor and could usually be found after practice engaged in all manner of shenanigans with his teammates. We admired his loyalty as well. Towards the end of the season, Andrew was called up to play for a higher-tiered Hawks team, yet he insisted on continuing to practice and play with HK403 whenever possible for the remainder of the year. Perhaps the clearest demonstration of Andrew’s character, though, was to be found in the relationship he cultivated with his goaltending partner, Lieven. The way that these two supported and encouraged each other throughout the year was wonderful to see, and a true representation of what Hawks hockey is all about. Congratulations to Andrew on an outstanding season and all the best next year in U13.

HK404: Ajay G

Ajay’s remarkable journey this season has been amazing. From the first moment he stepped onto the ice, it was evident that he had a combination of talent, determination, and commitment. His dedication to the sport and the team has not gone unnoticed, and it is with great pleasure that we honour him for his outstanding achievements.

Ajay demonstrated maturity, work ethic, and coachability throughout the season. His willingness to learn, try new things, and push himself speaks volumes about his character and potential for greatness. This is why, halfway through the season, we asked him to change positions – we knew he had the talent and temperament to make the change.

Every day, he arrived at the rink with a smile and determination. Ajay’s resilience in the face of challenges, his ability to stay focused and composed, and his unwavering support for his teammates have inspired us all.

It is remarkable to think that this was Ajay’s first year playing hockey. Despite being new to the game, he approached each practice and game with poise and confidence. His dedication to honing his skills, his willingness to learn from coaches and teammates, and his relentless pursuit of improvement earned this award and the respect of all who have watched him play.

HK405: Mason L

Hawks HK405 had quite a year. We finished first in our tier, but had struggles during tournaments and playoffs. Mason was one of our stronger players due in part to his athleticism, but also his demeanor. He exemplified the characteristics of what the Player Recognition Award stands for.

Being one of the quietest players on the team didn’t hold him back from providing good leadership. He epitomized the team player as he was usually the first one to help an injured teammate, look for a pass on the rush, be ready to start the next drill, or even just to pick up the pucks. He helped the team all year by volunteering to switch positions whenever needed and without reluctance. Not only would he jump between positions, but he would excel at them. I don’t recall once where we had to ask Mason to do anything, he would just jump in and do it.

Now as a team, we had some very tough games this year and had to fight through some low morale. But once again Mason could be counted on to provide a good example. Didn’t matter if we were winning or getting crushed, Mason’s character was undeterred. No matter what the outcome was, Mason would have a smile on his face after and be excited to get on the ice again next time. We’re very proud and thankful to have had Mason on our team this year and are glad we had the opportunity to nominate him for this award. He is without a question, truly deserving.

U13

HK501: Logan C

Logan is the definition of an unsung hero! He is the first kid to help out in any fashion, whether its playing defense or forward or making sure the last bottle gets collected at a bottle drive. He is one of the quieter kids but he leads through his passion on the ice, during practice and games. It isn’t uncommon to see Logan come off after a shift enraged with what just happened but he shakes it off and brings that intensity to his next shift. He isn’t our flashiest player but arguably our smartest player. He makes the right decisions all the time, whether that’s chipping the puck out or doing a little shake and bake. From a coach’s perspective, he actually listens, lots of kids at this age are head nodders, Logan will take what you tell him in practice or during a game and actually apply it. Because of this his skill set has diversified and grown ten-fold this year. He never officially got recognized as a C or an A but his peers and coaches lean on him in all situations – he is a leader.

Off the ice, he is affectionally known as Logi Bear, he’s truly friends with ALL of his team mates and incredibly respectful to the parents and the coaches. There isn’t many 12-year-olds that are as easy to talk to as Logan, he can hold a conversation with anyone of any age.

Lastly, he is a lifelong Hawk. He’s proudly donned the same logo since Timbits. He’s bounced through almost every tier and I am proud of him that he could finish his “career” as a Tier 1 Hawk. I expect a kid like this will be the first parent volunteering to help out the Hawks in 20 years – it will truly be full circle.

HK502: Ilya E

Ilya is a very enthusiastic player willing to play his hardest both at games and practices. His hard work has helped him develop his technical skills (skating, stick handling, passing, and shooting) as well as his confidence to make hockey plays in games. He was a strong player all season, never giving up on plays, backchecking as hard as he could, all while providing an offensive flair with fast rushes, smart passes, and the ability to crash the net. Ilya even developed an uncanny ability to poke the goalie, grind in the corners, and aggravate the defensemen without drawing penalties.

In the dressing room, Ilya displayed clear leadership. His positive attitude both after wins and defeats shows true maturity. He built a strong bond with his teammates and developed invaluable friendships.

Some of the most important characteristics of a good hockey player are coachability and respectfulness. Ilya is very polite and positive. He is open to feedback and instruction from all the coaches. This makes him a joy to have on the team and a pleasure to coach on the ice.

We’d like to thank Ilya for the amazing season and congratulate you on your well-deserved award. Good luck next season!

HK503: Neilan Y

Neilan was the unanimous choice for our team MVP. A very mature young man playing his second and final year in U13, he was the outstanding example of consistency, hard work and respect.  The hardest skating defender all year, on every shift in every game and every practice, He led his teammates by example – a coach’s dream. From the last tryout to the final whistle of our silver medal final, Neilan impressed me with his attention to every little detail, positive unselfish attitude, disciplined play and excellent sportsmanship both on and off the ice. At the beginning of every game if Neilan was there we knew our team would be competitive and made every player better when he was on the ice. His character as teammate and athlete is an example of excellence as he represented the Hawks organization, his family, his indigenous community and himself with class and pride. I hope he continues to follow his passion for hockey and sport for many years, I will always remember the fire that burns within this quiet and humble young man’s spirit. Thank you for the great memories, Neilan.

HK504: Elliot P

Elliot had an outstanding year. He came and worked hard at every practice and every game, no matter the score. When we would be down 8-0, Elliot would still be forechecking and backchecking just as hard as on his first shift. He wasn’t loud in the dressing room, but led by example. On a team not known for its passing, Elliot started looking for his teammates early and often, and kept up his selfless play all year. We never heard him complain, or say anything negative about a teammate or opponent. He improved astronomically over the course of the year – his very first year of hockey – by putting in a ton of work with the team and outside of team ice times as well. 

It was truly a pleasure to have Elliot as a member of our team this year.