Awards (Whitchurch Stouffville Minor Hockey Association)

The WSMHA recognizes individuals for their contributions to this Association that went beyond even the high standards our many volunteers consistently achieve. Like any volunteer-based organization the WSMHA relies for its success on several individuals who simply show up and take care of their assigned tasks without drama or complaint.

The Don Easter Award was created this year to honor a past volunteer who has spent over 50 years involved with minor sports, not only here but abroad in Australia. Don has been involved with coaching both in the house league and Rep programs, he sat on our Board from 2002 to 2021 and was also the President from 2009 – 2017. This award was created to recognize the efforts and contributions of other volunteer coaches, managers, trainers or conveners.

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 who consistently demonstrated their commitment to the interest of the players of the Representatives program of our association and have gone “above and beyond” in their team official duties.

The award is given in memory of Dan McNeil who played for our Association. While playing for the Uxbridge Junior “C” team in 1992, he was killed in a car accident on his way home from a game. This award is given to a player (house league or representative of U16 - U18) who stands out among the crowd. The criteria include leadership – on and off the ice, work ethic, perseverance, contribution to the team, and community involvement. The award is not based on player’s skill or on-

The WSMHA co-founded a bursary program with the Kids First Fund to provide financial assistance to graduating U18 age players from our Association planning to pursue a post-secondary education at an accredited Canadian university, community college or trade school.