As the season begins to wind down, the WSMHA is preparing for its upcoming Annual General Meeting, Thursday May 21, 2026. As part of this process, the association is now accepting nominations for two of its annual awards. These awards recognize individuals who have made meaningful contributions to the association and the community throughout the season.
The Don Easter Award - house league volunteer
Don started coaching in 1972 to 1984 in the GTHL. He moved to Australia for work and continued coaching baseball while he was living there. In 1994, he returned to Canada and resumed his hockey coaching until 1999. After a few years off, he took up coaching again in 2003 with the WSMHA’s Bantam A team and continue coaching various teams until 2019.
Coaching wasn’t the only volunteering Don did for the association. He became a Board member in 2002, was President from 2009 – 2017, stayed on as Past President and became the Secretary in 2019 until 2021. Even though he has stepped away from hockey and enjoying his retirement years, he is always available for advice and guidance should the association every have any questions.
This annual award is presented to a house league volunteer (coach, assistant coach, trainer or convenor) that consistently demonstrates their commitment year after year to the interest of the house league players of our Association. The recipient of this award is the type of volunteer that goes above and beyond their official duties. Nominations will be accepted until end of day, Thursday April 02, 2026
Nomination link: 2025 - 2026 Don Easter Award
The Steve Wright Award - Representative volunteer
Several years ago, we lost a member of the Stouffville hockey family. Steve Wright was a long -time coach in our Association and in his memory an award was created to recognize the efforts and contributions of other volunteer coaches, managers, or trainers for our Rep program.
Nominees should be a coach, assistant coach, trainer, or manager who has consistently demonstrated his/her commitment to the interest of the Rep players of our Association and Stouffville Minor Hockey in general. Nominations will be accepted until end of day, Thursday April 2, 2026
Nomination Link: 2025 - 2026 Steve Wright Memorial Award