by CONNIE TABBERT
Editor
WHITEWATER REGION — It was a difficult choice for Fan of the Year for the house league of the Muskrat Minor Hockey Association, so, four were chosen instead.
Grandfather Ron Vlaming and players’ siblings Bailee Hardy, Brooke Arminen and Addison Visneskie were all presented with a gift certificate by their hockey playing relatives at the season-ending banquet Sunday evening, held in the upstairs hall of the Astrolabe Arena.
A week ago, two Volunteers of the Year were also chosen — Neil Nicholson and Anne Bromley.
It was a first year for a few players, while a continuation of the hockey career for others, noted JoAnne Brydon, president of the Muskrat Minor Hockey Association. This was her third season-ending banquet. The previous two banquets were for the rep teams and the peewee, bantam and midget house league hockey teams. This banquet was for the IP, notice and atom house league hockey teams.
The evening started with a pizza dinner followed by each team being introduced to those gathered for this year-end event.
Brydon introduced the executive this year, who are Derrick England, vice-president of house league; Katie St. Pierre, secretary; Vera Gould, treasurer; Michelle Gould, IP co-ordinator; Amber Costello, Manager Mentor and Amber and Derrick are also the tournament co-ordinators.
She encouraged all the parents to attend the upcoming annual general meeting, which is Tuesday, May 14 at 7 p.m. at the Beachburg Community Hall (formerly Orange Hall).
“You are the future of Muskrat players,” Brydon said.
She noted some of the executive members have no children in hockey after this year, and to ensure the success of the league, new executive members are needed.
“You can bring new ideas to the table,” Brydon said. “Decisions have to be made.”
Each of the coaches then brought their teams to the front of the crowd, where they were introduced, including Atom 1, Atom 2, IP and Novice.
Atom 1 had a good season, competing in four tournaments, winning the B championship in Eganville, noted assistant coach Corey Costello.
“We won some, tied some and lost some,” he said, adding, “We had a number of first-time players and their development was amazing.”
Brent Gould encouraged each of the IP players to introduce themselves, and while some were shy, they managed to make it through the line-up.
“This was the first time in a few years that we’ve had this many players,” he said. “There were 30 in total.”
The players had a “lot of fun” and participated in three tournaments – Arnprior, Eganville and Deep River, Gould said.
Derek England introduced the Novice team and said the bench staff had a difficult time deciding which players to put on the ice, because “the kids all wanted to go on the ice all the time.”
Atom 2 manager Amy Mackenzie thanked the parents who were excellent helping out whenever they were needed.
She also credited the parents for not getting involved with the coaching of hockey as many parents do.
“Parents can get too involved, but not this time,” Mackenzie said. “They were there when we needed them.”
The Atom 2 played in four tournaments and it took a five-player shoot-out to determine the Shawville tournament winners.
“While we didn’t win, there was a great effort put into the final game,” Mackenzie said. “We had a really good season.”
Brydon thanked the referees, noting, “Without these guys there would be no games. Thank you.”
Fans of the Year
Amber Costello was first up to announce the three youngsters who were named Fans of the Year.
“These three siblings of Atom 2 players were the best 50/50 sellers and they cheered the loudest,” she said.
She then called the players to the front who then presented their siblings with a gift certificate.
Player Sawyer Visneskie gave his sister Addison a certificate; player JD Dalziel-Wells gave his sister Bailee Hardy a certificate; while player Taylor Arminen will give his sister Brooke a certificate when he gets home.
Novice assistant coach Christopher Tabbert was all smiles as he stood before the crowd to introduce his father-in-law as the final Fan of the Year.
“Ron was at every game and at every practice,” Tabbert said. “I think he attended more games than I did,” he added with a laugh.
It was Vlaming who made sure grandson Henry was at all games and practices when his parents, Amy and Chris, were not able to attend.
Ending the evening, Brydon encouraged the young players to continue to play hockey while having fun at the same time.
Volunteers of the Year
During last week’s house league banquet held at the Westmeath Community Centre for peewee, bantam and midget teams, two volunteer of the year awards were presented — Anne Bromley and Neil Nicholson.
Amber Costello presented Nicholson with his award.
“Your contributions to Muskrat Minor Hockey this season were considerable,” she said.
Nicholson assisted in many behind-the-scenes tasks throughout the season, including managing three tournaments held in Westmeath.
Shari Kosowan presented Bromley with her award in recognition of her many years of service as a team manager.
“Anne has given her time to teams for the past 16 years and we thank her for such dedication to our association and our kids,” Kosowan said.
The coaches also introduced each of the players for the three teams.
The Muskrat 1 House League Midget team had a fantastic 2018/19 season, said coach Trevor Dick. The team ended as the Upper Ottawa Valley Minor Hockey League ‘A’ division champions.
The team met up with Pembroke in the finals and proceeded to win with a 3-2 final score.
“What a great way to finish the year, especially for the 7 of 19 players who are hanging up their skates and moving on from minor hockey to the “beer league,” Coach Dick said.
Midget 1 also won the B division in the Westmeath Midget tournament as well as A runners-up in a North Bay tournament.
“The year was a successful one,” Coach Dick said.
The departing hockey players are Adam Wood, Greg Kosowan, Meeka Bromley, Jenna White, Jonathan Peever, Alex Stoppa, Ryan McIntyre, Kevin Ready, Carter Mick, Curtis Hendry, Aurora Dament, Isaac Habraken, Parker Lessard and Garrett Robertson.
