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Marshall Drewnowsky, Vaughan, ON |
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Regional Winner: Ontario Hockey Federation |
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Mike McMillan & Ian Gordon, Repulse Bay, Nunavut
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Regional winner: Hockey North |
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Nicky Sereda, Drumheller, AB |
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Regional winner: Hockey Alberta |
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Jack Shymko, Ituna, Saskatchewan |
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Regional winner: Saskatchewan Minor Hockey Association |
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Greg McClelland, Winnipeg, MB |
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Regional Winner: Hockey Manitoba |
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Darrell Clarke, Thunder Bay, Ontario |
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Regional Winner: Hockey North Western Ontario |
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Steve Bird, Deep River, ON |
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Regional Winner: Ottawa District Hockey Association |
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Albert Verner, Denis Veilleux, Gilles Choquette, Montreal, Quebec |
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Regional winner: Hockey Québec |
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Robert McLure, Riverview, NB |
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Regional winner: Hockey New Brunswick |
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Ethel Tobin, Antigonish, NS |
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Regional Winner: Hockey Nova Scotia |
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Gerald Keough, Tignish, PEI |
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Regional winner, PEI Hockey Association |
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Nicholas Aylward Witless Bay, NL |
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Regional winner: Hockey Newfoundland |
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Barbara Anderson, Sparwood, B.C. |
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Regional Winner: Hockey B.C. |
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J. David Gouchie, Bridgetown, NS |
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“RBC’s Own” Local Hockey Leader |
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Marshall Drewnowsky, Vaughan, ON
Regional Winner: Ontario Hockey Federation
 Since 1990, when the Vaughan Minor Hockey Association was granted its
charter, Marshall Drewnowsky has been the lynchpin holding the organization
together.
Marshall selflessly dedicated his time and steered the association through
the unique challenges that came when the city of Vaughan underwent large
and rapid population growth. Marshall has held a variety of volunteer posts
including coach, convener, president and referee-in-chief.
“The hallmark of Marshall ’s various volunteer capacities
is simply the fact that he will help out wherever and whenever needed,” wrote
Stephen Pottins, current president of Vaughan Minor Hockey, in a nomination
essay. “Because of his experience and popularity he became the unofficial
mentor to most of the volunteer base that has come and gone through the
years.”
“There are more than a handful of people involved in our organization
today who have stuck with it, weekdays and weekends, sometimes 30-40 hours
a week, just because of the selfless example set by Marshall Drewnowsky
for more than a decade,” added Pottins.
Nominated By: Stephen B. Pottins, Vaughan , ON
Hockey Plaque PDF
Mike McMillan & Ian Gordon, Repulse Bay, Nunavut
Regional winner: Hockey North
 Leaders and positive role models are especially important in small, isolated
communities like Repulse Bay, Nunavut. By volunteering their time
to the community through hockey, local school teachers Mike McMillan
and Ian Gordon are offering the youth of Repulse Bay a healthy lifestyle
choice.
New to the community last year, Mike and Ian brought structure and enthusiasm
to the local hockey scene.
“Through their love of hockey these two teachers are connecting
with the youth in Repulse Bay,” said Leonie Aissaoui in her nomination
essay. “This healthy connection has stretched outside of the school
to also include the dropouts and poor attendees. The town already
had men’s
and women’s hockey teams, but (before Mike and Ian) nothing organized
or structured for the younger population.”
Due to countless hours of their own time, introducing scheduled practices,
scrimmages, workouts, discipline and fundraising – all the basics
of organized hockey that most communities take for granted – Mike
and Ian have earned the title of “RBC Local Hockey Leader”.
Nominated By: Leonie Aissaoui, Repulse Bay, Nunavut
Hockey Plaque PDF
Nicky Sereda, Drumheller, AB
Regional winner: Hockey Alberta
 Thanks to 37 years of volunteer leadership, Nicky Sereda’s
impact on minor hockey in Drumheller, Alberta, will be felt for
decades to come.
Eleven years ago Nicky created the Drumheller Fun Team Hockey Club,
a low cost and accessible way for area youth to enjoy the game of
hockey. When he’s not coaching, managing, coordinating other
volunteers and organizing fundraisers for this league, Drumheller’s
most valuable volunteer is busy sourcing hockey equipment to help those kids whose families can’t afford to buy new equipment
This long-time commitment to hockey at its most grassroots, community
level has earned Nicky awards such as the province-wide Randy Gregg
Volunteer Award and now the title of Alberta ’s RBC Local
Hockey Leader.
Nominated By: Chris Brereton, Munson, AB
Hockey Plaque PDF
Jack Shymko, Ituna, Saskatchewan
Regional winner: Saskatchewan Minor Hockey Association
 If you have visited the hockey arena in Ituna, Saskatchewan, chances
are you have met Jack Shymko.
“Jack has devoted countless hours to the Ituna arena and minor
hockey during the past 27 years,” said Ituna resident Veronica Wenc
in her nomination essay. “In summer and fall, he takes time away
from his busy farming enterprise to do necessary repair or development
work – mostly using his own tools. Once weather turns cold, you
can expect to see his truck at the arena at various times of the day and
night: making ice, painting lines, teaching the young care-takers how
to flood, and maintaining the building and flooding equipment.”
Saskatchewan’s newly crowned Local Hockey Leader also coaches,
serves on the arena board of directors, and helps organize
fund-raising bingos, book drives, dances and perogie dinners.
Nominated By: Veronica Wenc, Ituna, SK
Hockey Plaque PDF
Greg McClelland, Winnipeg, MB
Regional Winner: Hockey Manitoba
 Greg McClelland is the keystone of minor hockey in Winnipeg’s
South Vital neighbourhood.
Greg began his long commitment to hockey volunteerism in the early 1970s,
initiating conditioning camps, skill development programs, coach recognition
programs, tournaments and year-end celebrations.
While representing his St. Vital community as a director with the Winnipeg
Minor Hockey Association, Greg ensures that hockey remains a healthy,
accessible and fun experience for his constituents.
As Winnipeg resident Greg Arason suggests in his nomination essay, Greg
has even turned his local small business into St. Vital’s “Hockey
Central”.
“Every day the store is open you can find players, coaches, parents
and volunteers dropping in or phoning to talk hockey. Greg
truly deserves to be recognized as an RBC Local Hockey Leader.”
Nominated By: Greg Arason, Winnipeg, MB
Hockey Plaque PDF
Darrell Clarke, Thunder Bay, Ontario
Regional Winner: Hockey Northern Ontario
 Darrell Clarke has never let his intellectual disability get in the
way of doing what he loves most – volunteering his time to the game
of hockey in his community.
Darrell started his long and dedicated career as a hockey volunteer
in the 1970s by filling water bottles, picking up pucks after practice
and helping run the bench for the Thunder Bay Twins Senior team.
The first one at the rink and the last one to leave, Darrell continued
pouring his heart and soul into the game by volunteering with other teams,
including the Thunder Hawks, Senators and Fort William Nations North Stars.
Hockey players, coaches, parents and executives in Thunder Bay recognize
Darrell as a fixture in – and an inspiration to – the Thunder
Bay hockey community. Inspiration is synonymous with leadership, making
Darrell Clarke Northern Ontario’s RBC Local Hockey Leader.
Nominated By: Linda Hutton, Thunder Bay , Ontario
Hockey Plaque PDF
Steve Bird, Deep River, ON
Regional Winner: Ottawa District Hockey Association
 As Ottawa ’s Dave Thompson notes in his nomination essay, Steve
Bird is “Mr. Hockey” in the Ottawa Valley.
Steve’s leadership, exercised through the variety of executive
positions he has held with the Deep River and Area Minor hockey Association,
has contributed to a thriving amateur hockey community.
Steve is also a coach, referee, and played an instrumental role in raising
funds for the arena in Deep River.
“Thanks to Steve’s helping to organize a volunteer group
of over 100 individuals, the necessary arena renovations were carried
out at a cost the municipality could afford,” wrote Thompson. “The
end result is an excellent rink that the entire community is now able
to utilize.”
Nominated By: Dave Thompson, Ottawa, ON
Hockey Plaque PDF
Albert Verner, Denis Veilleux,
Gilles Choquette,
Montreal, Quebec
Regional winners: Hockey Québec
 Albert Verner, Denis Veilleux and Gilles Choquette organize and coach
sledge hockey team in the Greater Montreal area.
Denis is the team administrator and assistant coach. He ensures ice
time, solicits donations and organizes events to strengthen the participants’ sense
of belonging.
Albert is over 80 years old and maintains the equipment, sets up the
sleds on the ice and fits new players with equipment.
Gilles teaches the skills of sled manipulation, puck handling and hockey
strategy.
The synergy resulting from their efforts keeps sledge hockey alive and
maintains an affordable recreational sport in Montreal’s physically
disabled community.
As Hasfa Chaar wrote in her nomination essay, the threesome give the
players “a chance to feel the thrill and exhilaration of racing
to the puck and scoring a goal - just like every other
child, teenager and adult.”
Nominated By: Hasfa Chaar, Verdun, Quebec
Hockey Plaque PDF
Robert McLure, Riverview, NB
Regional winner: Hockey New Brunswick
 Over the past 20 years, Robert McLure has committed thousands of volunteer
hours to hockey in his community.
As coach, mentor, executive member, development chair, tournament volunteer,
referee, organizer, parent and club president, Robert has been directly
involved in the delivery of hockey to the youth in Riverview.
Robert’s leadership has also led to the creation of an “early
hockey involvement” program for players new to the game. This program
has resulted in a 25% increase in enrollment since 2000. As Susan Clarke
wrote in her nomination essay, Robert McLure’s legacy on minor hockey
in his community will be felt for years to come.
“Robert has led the way for Riverview Minor Hockey and the impact
of his efforts related to program success, player fun and overall program
quality will be felt for many years in the future,” said Clarke.
Nominated By: Susan Clarke, Cloverdale,NB
Hockey Plaque PDF
Ethel Tobin, Antigonish, NS
Regional Winner: Hockey Nova Scotia
 The name Ethel Tobin is synonymous with dedication in the Antigonish
hockey community.
Ethel has been a volunteer with the Antigonish Junior Bulldog Hockey
Association since 1968. Her volunteer and fund raising efforts include
selling tickets, organizing dances, organizing bingo, organizing boat
rallies, organizing tractor pulls, team secretarial duties, selling programs
and even selling fish.
Ethel’s impact as a Local Hockey Leader is perhaps best summed
up by the fact that each year, to honour her dedication, the “Ethel
Tobin Trophy” is awarded to the hockey executive who attempts to
match Ethel’s spirit of volunteerism.
As noted by Shane MacIsaac in his nomination essay, “Ethel Tobin
is our candidate for the behind-the-scenes individual who goes above and
beyond the call of duty to support grassroots hockey in our community.”
Nominated By: Shane MacIsaac, Antigonish, NS
Hockey Plaque PDF
Gerald Keough, Tignish, PEI
Regional winner, PEI Hockey Association
 Gerald Keough’s long history of hockey volunteerism is driven
by the belief that all children, even those in small communities, should
have a place and opportunity to play hockey.
In order to bring this dream to life in the small community of Tignish,
Gerald became the driving force behind the construction of the community’s
first open-air arena. Soon after, he spearheaded a six-year fundraising
campaign to build a closed-in arena. Not long after that arena was built
he established Tignish’s first organized minor hockey system.
“Over the years Gerald has answered to the call of player, sports
director, referee, linesman, coach, and anything to do with hockey that
required his attention,” wrote Kelly Ashley about Gerald’s
legacy in her nomination essay. “Hockey has become the meeting place
for families and friends in our community; it brings everyone together
and keeps our community united and proud.”
Nominated By: Kelly Ashley, Tignish, PEI
Hockey Plaque PDF
Nicholas Aylward Witless Bay, NL
Regional Winner: Hockey Newfoundland
 A recipient of the Golden Jubilee Medal of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth
II, Nicholas Aylward is known for his dedication to youth and his community.
Nicholas currently serves on the Southern Shore Arena Board, the Southern
Shore Amateur Hockey Association Executive Board and the Avalon East Hockey
Association Executive. Nicholas has also been involved in Southern Shore
minor hockey for the past 14 years, and has volunteered his time as president,
coach, assistant coach and trainer.
Nicholas has also dedicated his time to tasks ranging from spending
hours finding a referee to arbitrate a game to making sure a female player
has her own dressing room.
In Kay Aylward’s nomination essay, she noted that Nicholas “never
looks back for the tap on the back that tells him he is doing a good job,
but always looks ahead to see what needs to be done next.”
Nominated By: Kay Aylward, Witless Bay, NL
Hockey Plaque PDF
Barbara Anderson, Sparwood, B.C.
Regional Winner: Hockey B.C.
 In Sparwood British Columbia the arena concession is the epicenter of
minor hockey fundraising. Local Hockey volunteer Barbara Anderson not
only manages this concession, but also manages the parent volunteers who
operate it.
Barbara also spends hundreds of hours in volunteer posts that have included
vice president, risk manager and president. This 2001 Sparwood “Volunteer
Citizen of the Year” award winner’s behind-the-scenes contributions
also include drafting bylaws, coordinating tournaments, creating scholarship
programs and implementing banquets.
The crown jewel in Barbara’s volunteer crown came last year when
she coordinated the amalgamation of two local associations. This ensured
a larger base of players, organizing synergies, more balanced age-specific
competition and lower registration fees.
Nominated By: Jenny Tress, Sparwood, B.C.
Hockey Plaque PDF
J. David Gouchie, Bridgetown, NS
“RBC’s Own” Local Hockey Leader
(employee contest winner)
 “RBC’s Own” Local Hockey Leader, J. David Gouchie,
(an employee at Bridgetown, NS branch) devotes his time to making hockey accessible
in his community.
David not only promotes a “Family Packages” program, which
cut the costs of youth hockey for parents in the community,
but also works with local sporting goods stores to secure
hockey gear at good prices for those less fortunate. David’s
priority as president of the Bridgtown Minor Hockey Association is to
make hockey more accessible, which in turn helps hockey to grow and thrive
in the community.
As fellow RBC employee Shirley Willett notes in her nomination essay,
David’s commitment and leadership keep the local association going.
“Dave not only sits on the executive, but is also out there, pounding
the pavement to keep enrollment numbers up (Bridgetown
is a retirement community). He is fund raising at every opportunity. His
commitment, dedication and helpful attitude have resulted in many new
players participating in hockey. Dave does not see the ‘limitations’;
-- instead his leadership and enthusiasm are contagious.”
Nominated By: Shirley Willett, Bridgetown , NS
Hockey Plaque PDF
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