SLMHA presents year-end awards 

Reeti Meenakshi Rohilla - Staff Writer

The Sioux Lookout Minor Hockey Association (SLMHA) has recognized its players, teams, coaches, and volunteers, through its annual year-end awards. 

SLMHA President Grant Power said that these awards are a great way to keep the participants motivated. “It keeps them interested, it keeps them encouraged.” He added, “For the league awards, the trophies…we keep track and put them up at the arena, and players can go back in 20 years and they’ll see their name on the trophies.” 

With the COVID restrictions, Power said that the season required certain precautions to be put in place, that were well adhered to, by all associated members. He said that this year’s season went relatively smoothly, except for the breaks that they were forced to take during the month of January and February, as a result of the COVID-19 restrictions. However, Power added that since they were able to start this past season on September 15, slightly sooner than usual, it provided players with approximately 142 days of hockey. “We did miss like 42 days. So, we’re going to be giving a $50 refund for every kid that registered.” 

Trainer of the Year Celine Sulkers said that the players that she trained did fairly well. “One of the major differences was that players had to get dressed before going into the arena. So, they had to come pretty much completely dressed, other than skates and helmets. I think most people abided by those rules and didn’t find them terribly complicating.” She added that overall, she felt that the season went really smoothly, even during the pandemic. “I feel like the kids were just happy to be able to go out and play.” 

Doug Pierce was recognized as Coach of the Year and Greg Rice as Volunteer of the Year.

Power shared that about 190 players took part in the 2020-2021 season. Sulkers said, “As far as the training went, I didn’t really notice much of a difference than other years. Our player numbers were still up there quite a bit.” 

Sulkers shared that she appreciates being recognized for her contributions. She concluded, “I think all the other trainers and coaches, and assistant coaches do more than their part. It’s a nice little community, where, I think, everyone kind of comes together and just helps to do what they can, to make it run smoothly for the kids ultimately.”