May 13th, 2009
For Immediate Release

High School Hockey Awards presented

L-R  Danielle DeGraeve, Allison Brinkworth, Kristine Johnson,
Quinn Grose, Cody East, Curtis Gardham, Braden Dick

The Manitoba High Schools Athletic Association presented a number of hockey scholarships and awards, at a media luncheon held on Wednesday, May 13th, 2009.  Nominations were accepted from schools across the province.

The D’Arcy Bain/ Fred Stevenson Award is sponsored by local Winnipeg Physiotherapist D’Arcy Bain, and named in honour of long-time Winnipeg high school hockey coach Fred Stevenson.  This award recognizes athletic ability and team leadership. Braden Dick of the Neepawa Tigers High School Hockey Team is this year’s recipient of the $500.00 Award.

Braden has served as team captain for 2008/2009 and was chosen for the Westman High School All Star Team.  He was chosen as “Athlete of the Week” in February 2009.   Braden also helps out on the Student Council, and helps at Can Skate as a volunteer skating coach.  Braden also participates in Track and Field, Soccer and Badminton, and maintains an 85% academic average.

The Easton “Unsung Hero” Award is give to a hockey player who may not be the fastest, biggest, or highest scoring, but has been judged by his or her team to be the “unsung hero.” The recipient of this award is Allison Brinkworth from the St. James Collegiate Jimmies Women’s Hockey team.

Allison is a grade 11 student with an average of 80% and over 200 hours of volunteering in the school and community.  She was the captain of her high school team and a role model and positive voice for the coaches and one of the hardest working players on and off the ice. She continuously leads by example. She received a pair of Hockey Skates courtesy of Easton.

The Winnipeg Jets Alumni & Friends Scholarship awards a $1000.00 scholarship to a male and female high school hockey player.  The criteria for this award includes the student’s performance on and off the ice, as well as extracurricular activities, leadership and mentorship accomplishments.  This year’s winners are: Kristine Johnson of Kelvin High School, and Cody East of St. Paul’s High School.

Kristine Johnson of the Kelvin Clippers was selected as a league All-Star and also named top defenseman for Kelvin, as well as being awarded the Kelvin High School Coaches award for 2007 and 2008.   Kristine is involved in Volleyball and Track as well as being in the Kelvin Mentorship program, grade 9 girls Volleyball coach, Grad Committee, all while holding down a 95% and Honor Roll Distinction in several of her courses. 

Cody East of the St. Paul’s High School Crusaders is team captain, and was chosen as a WHSHL All-Star team and is a mentor for the rookie players.  He is a member of the Student Council as the Sport Representative.  He is the founding member of “Friend of Jo-Anne” team, walking in the MS Walk for the past three years.  Cody is also part of the organizing committee and a participant in the Breast Cancer Walk held at St. Paul’s High School and participates in many of the fundraising activities held at the school.  He maintains an 84% academic average. 

The Alexander Josephson Memorial Scholarships consist of a $2,000.00 scholarship awarded to a male and female hockey player, in honor of Alexander Josephson, a student, and hockey player at St. John’s Ravenscourt School, who tragically passed away in a car accident in 2005.  Alex was a member of the 2003 Provincial High School Championship Team and selected as Provincial All-star.  The recipient of this scholarship is a student who demonstrates strong leadership and team play, high scholastic standing, a hard-working attitude, and is proceeding to a post secondary education. 

The female recipient of Alexander Josephson Memorial Scholarship is Kristine Johnson of the Kelvin Clippers Women’s Hockey Team.

Kristine, is an overall athlete.  She maintains a 95% academic average and also participated Volleyball, and Track and Field.  Kristine volunteered at Kelvin’s annual Christmas Breakfast, is a member of the Grad Committee. As assistant captain, Kristine was supportive of the coaches and was a leader in the dressing room as well as on the ice.

The male recipient of the Alexander Josephson Memorial Scholarship is Quinn Grose of Stonewall Collegiate Rams Hockey Team.

Quinn Grose, is a strong defensive defenseman, as well as a leader and role model on and off the ice. He has an overall academic average of 90.71%.  He is actively involved in programs such as Teen Talk, Circle of Friends, Peer Helper, Peer Tutor, The Champions Program, Remembrance Day Services, Student Leadership Team and countless other programs in the School.  Quinn is not only involved in school activities but is also involved with MS Bike, and Kid’s Help Phone, while also refereeing hockey and umpiring baseball.   Quinn is involved in rugby, track and field and baseball through the school.   

The Manitoba Hockey Hall of Fame, sponsors a $1000.00 scholarship for a male and a female graduating student who is recognized for a combination of excellence in athletics, academics, and community service.

The Sami-Jo Small Award, named in honor of the 5-time World Championship participant for Canada and was MHSAA Athlete of the Year and Scholar/Athlete Award winner in 1994, while attending College Jeanne Sauve.  

This year’s recipient is Danielle DeGraeve, of the Portage Collegiate Saints.

Danielle, is Portage Collegiate Institute’s goaltender, and with a 16-1-3 season, she had 8 shutouts and a goals against average of .75.  She was named rural athlete of the week and is a great role model to her teammates and fellow students.  Danielle holds an overall average in the mid 90’s and plays soccer for her school.  Danielle is involved in Teens Against Drunk Driving, Grad Committee and MS Walk. 

The Winner of the Ken “Friar” Nicolson Award, named in honor of former CJOB Jets Hockey Broadcaster is Quinn Grose, of the Stonewall Collegiate Rams.

Quinn, a defenseman, is a team leader on and off the ice.  His coaches describe him as hard working and a reliable individual, and has a passion for giving “it all” each year.  He maintains a 90% average and also plays Rugby, Baseball and Track.

The Ed Belfour Award, sponsored by goaltender, Ed Belfour, who played high school hockey for the Carman Collegiate Cougars, goes to the Most Outstanding Player in Manitoba High School Hockey.  Ed played college hockey at UND, played for many NHL Clubs and won a Stanley Cup and Olympic Gold.  The recipient is an all-around hockey player, citizen and leader. 

The 2009 Ed Belfour winner is Curtis Gardham, Captain of the Birtle Falcons.  Curtis was the Westman Hockey League leading scorer with 35 goals and 30 assists in 32 games.  Curtis is also captain of his school soccer and golf teams.  After his high school season was completed, he was called up to play for the Neepawa Natives.  Curtis is an active member of the student council, and the school’s anti-bullying program.  He is also a Peer helper and Member of the Grad Committee.

The other Ed Belfour finalists were Joel Ballard or the Westwood Warriors, and Connor Macaulay of the Killarney/Wawanesa Raiders.

For being the 2008 Most Outstanding Player in high school hockey, Curtis will receive and autographed jersey courtesy of Ed Belfour.