Corner Brook -
It was somewhat fitting that, on the first night of the Stanley Cup playoffs, the Corner Brook Minor Hockey Association held an awards banquet for the youngest kids who took their first strides towards potential hockey immortality this year.
The event, the first of two year-end banquets, went ahead at the Pepsi Studio with an atmosphere of celebration surrounding it, whether it was from the kids running and laughing with those who they played with and against throughout the hockey season, or from the parents, grandparents and other relatives who sat, discussing anything from their own minor hockey days to who they thought might win the Cup this year.
"It was an excellent night," said association president Scott Burden. "It was a chance for all the kids to get together outside the hockey rink and for the parents to get together outside the hockey rink to have a night of enjoyment and recognize some of the people who worked hard this year, especially the volunteers and the kids themselves."
Only the Timbit and novice divisions were honoured on Wednesday night, with another banquet for the atom, peewee, bantam, midget and female divisions going ahead 6 p.m. tonight at the Pepsi Studio.
All players received medals of participation from their respective teams, while certain individuals were singled out for their special efforts with Esso medals of achievement.
In the Timbit 1 division, the most improved player was Matthew McCarthy, most sportsmanlike was Carley Goulding and most dedicated was Colby House.
For Timbit 2 players, Joshua Costello was most improved, Isaac Wade took home most sportsmanlike and Michael Normore-Wells earned the most dedicated award.
Novice 1 players honoured were, Matthew Osmond for being the most dedicated, Taylor Cormier was most sportsmanlike and Jesse Hackett was named most improved.
The Novice 2 awards saw three players from all three teams recognized.
From the C and M Contractors, Stephen Barriault was most dedicated, Jordan Cull was most sportsmanlike and Tyler Burton was most improved.
On the Marble RV team, Colin Hulan was most dedicated, Brady Taylor was most sportsmanlike and Lucas Vincent was most improved.
From the Bayside Penguins, it was Matthew Burden as most dedicated, Bill Perrett as most sportsmanlike and James Scott as most improved.
Perrett, 8, of the Penguins said his team did "pretty good" this year.
The young fan of Sidney Crosby plays forward for his club and listed three pretty solid reasons why he loves the sport so much.
"Just having fun, skating hard and scoring goals," he said.
Among the players recognized at the Corner Brook Minor Hockey Association awards banquet on Wednesday night were from left, novice players (front) Jordan Cull, Matthew Burden, Brady Taylor, Lucas Vincent, and Matthew Osmond; (back) Bill Perrett, James Scott, Tyler Burden, and Colin Hulan.
