Hard work rewarded at Winnipeg High School Hockey League awards gala

Winnipeg

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This article was published 08/05/2024 (890 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Dozens of high school hockey players recently received assists towards achieving their post-secondary goals.

The Winnipeg High School Hockey League held its annual awards gala April 25 at the Victoria Inn Hotel & Convention Centre (1808 Wellington Ave.). Awards were handed out in three categories: on ice, academic, and character. While all the awards came with bragging rights, the academic awards included a number of $500 scholarships, as well as a $1,000 scholarship and a $3,500 bursary, for a total of over $36,000.

Jaedys Dancyt, a forward with the Pinawa Panthers, took home the Dave Hill Bursary. At $3,500, it was the biggest monetary prize of the day.

“It’s pretty special. I wasn’t really expecting to win anything today,” Dancyt said. “I was pretty nervous to go up there. But it was exciting.”

Described as an “exceptional student” and “conscientious, dedicated, and hardworking” on the ice, the multi-sport athlete maintained a 96 per cent average over his Grade 11 and 12 years while also studying piano and working a part-time job. On the ice, Dancyt was second in team scoring this past season, notching 30 goals and 24 assists in 22 games. He plans to attend the University of Manitoba this fall.

“That’s pretty expensive, so (the award) is pretty important,” added Dancyt, who also won an on-ice award for sportsmanship this year.

Chris Hermann of the St. Paul’s Crusaders won the Manitoba Major Junior Hockey League Scholarship, presented annually in the memory of Wayne Deschouwer. The $1,000 scholarship will help him in his goal of studying dentistry at the University of Manitoba.

Along with the two big scholarships, academic award winners also included:

• Platinum Promotions Awards: $500 each; Ryan Crombie (Lord Selkirk Royals, forward) and Kiran Hanzmann (Miles Macdonell Buckeyes, goalie);
• Canad Inns Scholarship: Presley Ostlund (Murdoch MacKay) $500; andDon Barton Memorial Award: Jordan Ranger (Kildonan-East Reivers) $500.

On-ice skills based awards were presented to a player from each division, as voted on by coaches from each division (scoring champions excepted):

• Sportsmanship award: Brady Thorsteinson (Sturgeon Heights Huskies), Tyler Dalal (SJR Eagles), Jaedys Dancyt (Pinawa Panthers);
• Top defenceman award: Cody Allen (River East Kodiaks), Aaron Besyk (West Kildonan Wolverines), Brady Heilman (CPET Canadiens);
• Rookie of the year award: Karsten Woloshen (J.H. Bruns Broncos), Logan Barnabé (Gabrielle Roy Cavaliers); Brody Crellin (Murdoch MacKay);
• Top goaltender award: Keon Torz (Vincent Massey Trojans), Cooper Johnon (Kelvin Clippers), Sage Delaronde (Murdoch MacKay);
• Most valuable player award and divisional scoring champions: Gavin Holod (Stonewall Rams), Evan Christianson (West Kildonan Wolverines), Eston Katcher (Kildonan-East Reivers).

Travis Price Hockey Spirit awards were handed out to a player from each team. These awards, which included a $500 prize, were voted on by players and coaches from each team. In total, 40 players won Travis Price Hockey Spirit Awards, with four teams having two players split the award.

Character awards and most improved player awards were also presented to Evan Glenham (Lorette Scorpions), Adam Newcombe (Stonewall Rams), Nathan Gutknecht (Collège Jeanne-Sauvé Olympiens), Logan Gilkes (CPET Canadiens), Asher Pearen (Glenlawn Lions), and David Berube (Collège Louis-Riel Voyageurs). Those awards each included $250 to be used for either post-secondary education or sports costs.

Coach of the year was awarded to Tim Juer of the Pinawa Panthers.

The league is made up of 36 boys high school hockey teams from across Winnipeg, as well as communities outside of the city, including Portage la Prairie, Sanford, Selkirk, Steinbach, and more. The 2023-24 division champions were St. Paul’s Crusaders (Platinum Promotions Division), Gabrielle Roy/Point des Chenes Cavaliers (Winnipeg Free Press Division), and Murdoch MacKay (Price Division).