June 2, 2010
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

HIGH SCHOOL HOCKEY AWARDS PRESENTED

The Manitoba High Schools Athletic Association with support from a number of organizations are pleased to announce the winners of several High School Hockey Awards and Scholarships for the 2009-2010 Season. 

Matt Geddes of the Provincial AAAA Champions Vincent Massey Trojans of Winnipeg has been selected as the Most Valuable Player in high school hockey winning the Ed Belfour Award. Geddes, who was team captain, was selected Most Valuable Player of the 2009-2010 Milk High School Hockey Provincial Championships and as well received MVP status at the Brandon Tournament as well as being selected to the Winnipeg High School League All Star Team.  He was fourth in scoring in the Winnipeg League and ranked in the top 10 coaches poll.  He scored 12 goals and 24 assists this year. 

The Alexander Josephson Memorial Scholarship Awards, named in honour of former St. John’s Ravenscourt player Alexander Josephson go to Sara Oswald of Oak Park High School and Jennifer Bell of Sanford Collegiate.  These athletes receive $2000.00 scholarships. 

Sara Oswald is a multi sport athlete at Oak Park and is involved with numerous school and community activities.  She maintains a 95% average and was assistant captain and was the sixth leading scorer in the league.  Sara had no penalty minutes, this season, while leading her Raiders team to the League Championship.

Jennifer Bell is captain of the Sanford Sabres team.  She was named to the All Star team for the past two seasons.  She is also very active in school and community activities and is a member of the School’s Athletic Council, and AAA Provincial Volleyball Champions as starting setter.  Jennifer led the Sabres with most points for a defenseman and was fourth in scoring.  She also coaches Volleyball for Middle School students.

The Ken “Friar” Nicolson Award and Sami Jo Small Awards are sponsored by the Manitoba Hockey Hall of Fame and Museum.  Each of these student athletes receives a $1000.00 Scholarship.  The winners of these awards are Jennifer Bell of Sanford Collegiate and Samantha Hink of Miami School.  

Hink was selected as tournament MVP and All Star on several occasions and took the zone 4 scoring title in league and playoffs with 65 points.  She scored 6 goals and had 5 assists in 4 playoff games.   She is also a multi sport athlete who is also involved with Student Council and other community activities. She helped lead the Tigers to four tournament victories.

The Winnipeg Jet’s Alumni and Friends sponsor two $1000.00 scholarships for high school hockey players.  Winners this year include Jennifer Bell of Sanford Collegiate, and Noah Yagi of St. Paul’s High School. 

Yagi was the fourth leading scorer on the team, and is a right winger. He led the Crusaders to the City Championships this year.  He also is on Student Council and is Vice President of the Maroon and White Society. Noah was also a member of the City Championship Crusader Football team.

The D’arcy Bain/Fred Stevenson Award, named in honor of retired hockey coach Fred Stevenson, and sponsored by Winnipeg Physiotherapist D’arcy Bain will see a $500.00 Scholarship going to Jacob Weidenhamer of Deloraine Collegiate.  Jacob is a multi sport athlete and was team captain for both his Volleyball and Hockey teams.  He was selected as a Wesman Hockey All Star and is a positive role model for his teammates.  He also plays high school baseball and is active in 4H

The Easton “Unsung Hero” Award goes to Zach Kurtenbach of Deloraine Collegiate.  Zach, a grade 11 student, is one of the hardest working players on the Colts Hockey Team.  He suffers from a blood disorder and has Colitis, but does not let it stand in his way.  Zach never misses practice, and never uses his medical ailments as an excuse.  This goaltender provides a great deal of motivation for his team mates.  Zach will receive a pair of Synergy EQ4 Hockey Skates.

The Manitoba High Schools Athletic Association acknowledges the support of all the organizations involved.  All Scholarships will be used towards furthering the student athletes post secondary education.

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For more information please contact Morris Glimcher – morris@mhsaa.ca or 204-925-5641