Donald Teuma-Castelletti
SHAWVILLE April 15, 2018
Players and their families from the Shawville District Minor Hockey Association (SDMHA) gathered at the Shawville Lions’ Hall Sunday afternoon, for a new take on their end-of-year awards.
In an effort to consolidate the hockey community, all the teams were invited to gather at the hall, where players, coaches and referees were recognized for their efforts during the 2017-18 hockey season.
“This is something new for SDMHA,” said SDMHA President Diana Desabrais, in an email. “We haven’t hosted this type of gala in the past. Over the last few years, teams have been organizing their own end of season party and the awards for each team were handed out during their individual get together.”
After receiving feedback from the community, it was decided to give an all-teams awards gala a shot, and the new format seemed to have worked. Setting up chairs for 75, many more needed to be added before the presentation began, with some still left standing in the end.
Awards were distributed amongst the various levels of teams, as well as to referees and a coach. In total, 12 distinct awards were distributed.

First up was the Esso Most Dedicated Award, for players who stand out as the most well-rounded kid on the ice, with one from each level of hockey. Receiving this were Taytum Thompson (Novice B), Tristan Queale (Novice C), Gavin Rusenstrom (Atom A), Chase Wittig-Thompson (Atom C), Cedric Belair (Peewee A), Brodee Campbell (Peewee C), Graham Beattie (Bantam A), Brycen Ireland (Bantam B), and Jaden Stewart (Midget A).
Next was the Esso Most Sportsmanlike Award, for skilled players who respected the rules of the game and the referees enforcing them. Recipients included Lucas Ethier (Novice B), Bentley Lalonde (Novice C), Liam Queale (Atom A), Nicolas Giles (Atom C), Peyton Ireland (Peewee A), Kolton Mohr (Peewee C), Hunter Lukacs-Hitz (Bantam A), Matthew Favereau (Bantam B), and William Hayes (Midget A).
Following that was the Esso Most Improved Defense Award, for the teammate who showed their commitment to the tactic and followed through on the concept during games. This year’s recipients included Pierce Rusenstrom (Novice B), Riley Drummond (Novice C), James Twolan (Atom A), Jaycie Hodgins (Atom C), Walker Murphy (Peewee A), Cassidy Dresselt (Peewee C), Ryan Lang (Bantam A), Joshua Findlay (Bantam B), and Nick Curley (Midget A).
The Most Improved Forward Award went to three individuals from the association: William Oliveira (Novice B), Jeffrey Demers (Novice C), and Noah Hines (Atom C).
The President’s Award – for the player who consistently performs at the top of their game while working with their team – saw recipients across all levels, including Maxim Renaud (Novice B), Jackson Dubeau (Novice C), Liam Queale (Atom A), Wyatt O’Malley (Atom C), Jacob Rogers (Peewee A), Lucas Barre (Peewee C), Harry Lukacs-Hitz (Bantam A), Alex Mayhew (Bantam B), Evan Atkinson (Midget A), and Owen Beattie (Midget B).
Next was the Hayes Memorial Goaltender Award, which went to Wyatt Durocher (Bantam A), the Allen Memorial Award, which went to Willis Egan (Bantam A) and Brayden Duval (Bantam B), and the Shawn Campbell Award, going to Vance Olmsted (Midget A) and Shane Kelly (Midget B).
The last award for players was a brand new one, recently donated by the Pontiac Old-Timers Hockey team, in memory of their pal, Fred Desabrais. This award was given to third year Midget players that quietly lead their team while contributing to team spirit on and off the ice, while displaying a true passion for the sport.
Members of the Old-Timers came forward to present the award, seeing Quintin McCorkell (Midget A) and Dylan Woermke (Midget B) receive it this year.
The Fred Desabrais ‘Moustache’ Memorial Award will act as a symbol of the Old-Timers’ dedication to supporting the SDMHA.
Finally, the presentation wrapped up with three final distinctions, with Waylon Bohart taking home the James Smith Memorial Referee of the Year Award, Evan Atkinson receiving the Blaine Angus Junior Referee of the Year Award, and Mike Rusenstrom receiving the Coach of the Year Award.