The Greenwich Skating Club would like to announce this year's special awards for last-year U14 players that are aging out of the Club.
The awards are as follows:
F.W. McMillan II Award (BANTAMS) and Gerald E Jones/Resor Award (U14 Girls):
The elite award given to a last-year player for his/her role as a GSC player/team member. Often described as the award for the best all-around player, it has also been awarded for the player with the most favorable impact on the team and/or the program on a skill and results basis.
Donald A Woodley Award (BANTAMS) and Bob Severud Award (U14 Girls):
Defined as an award for sportsmanship, this award focuses on attitude, effort and or leadership qualities. This award is given to the last-year player who stands out for his/her focus and dedication to the Skating Club and to his/her team mates. Winners of this award have been defined by their spirit, love of the sport and of the GSC and who best exemplify what the GSC stands for.
Congratulations to all of our recipients!
F.W. MCMILLAN AWARD
Throughout the season, Miller Yonce, has consistently demonstrated his ability to utilize his hockey skills to influence the pace and direction of a game. He is an excellent skater, possess good puck management skills and has the ability to select the right shot technique based on the scoring opportunity. Miller is typically one of the fastest, if not the fastest, skaters on the ice and used his speed to create offensive opportunities as well as out sprinting opponents to win defensive zone puck possession battles. He worked extremely hard during the power skating training sessions to improve his skating by tightening his turns, increasing agility and improving his skating form. He has shown excellent hockey in game instincts knowing when to pinch down along the boards to maintain offensive zone possession or to concede the blueline and protect the neutral zone. He possesses a hard accurate shot which made him the number 2 scorer on the team this season. Having demonstrated excellent overall hockey skills, Miller is well deserving of the McMillan award for his impact on the team and game situations.
DONALD A. WOODLEY AWARD
This year’s candidate for the Woodley award is a player who by his dedication, commitment, effort and development became the on-ice leader for the BA team. Will O’Reilly quietly developed into the team leader as his skill, confidence and performance steadily improved from week to week during the season. Will was not a vocal leader, but one who lead by example. He earned the respect of his teammates as they witnessed how dedicated he was to developing his craft as a goaltender. He worked tirelessly with his coaches, listening to their comments, suggestions and critique’s to significantly improve his positioning, puck tracking and overall goaltending. His inspired play provided a catalyst for his team and by the end of the season he provided not only leadership based on his play, but also was the leader in the team huddle verbally encouraging his team. Will’s commitment to GSC and his continued development as a player should serve as a model for the club and the younger players.
GERALD E. JONES/RESOR AWARD
Lily Vincent led the U14’s in every situation this season, starting and finishing every period, quarterbacking the power play, and killing penalties. Lily’s speed enabled her to be a threat at all times, and, she possesses a hard, accurate shot. She was our team’s leading scorer, including scoring 2 in our final game vs the Connecticut Lights. Selflessly, Lily also backchecked with purpose, often hunting down the opposition, clearing the puck from harm’s way. Overwhelmingly voted captain by her peers, she earned the respect of her teammates with her work ethic and presence. Lily was what every U14A team needs from a 2nd-year player; committed, hardworking, tough to play against, skilled, and a strong influence in the locker room. She was the anchor for our team, and we were lucky to have her.
BOB SEVERUD AWARD
Maddie Barakett loves hockey, and her sincerity and happiness was infectious. Maddie was one of 2 senior leaders this season, overwhelmingly voted on by her peers, and her positive comments to teammates during games fueled players to be better. Always comforting for the Coaching staff to see Maddie on ice, demeanor calm, getting her job done, eating up important minutes as a key member of our defensive core. By year end, Maddie added an offensive presence, skating strongly out of our zone, then forwarding the puck to a streaking wing. Moreover, Maddy courageously fought through injuries the entire season. On Senior night, when her adoring teammates presented her with a poster (pictures and heartfelt, heartwarming comments) Maddie burst into happy tears, proclaiming her love for the entire team and GSC.
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We are thrilled to announce our coaching roster for next season. Brent Brower has been busy securing professional coaches for our upcoming season and for our foreseeable future. You will see some familiar faces but also some new names and roles. Brent and the Hockey Committee have initiated a call-to-action to hire and retain the best coaching talent possible. We are committed to providing our members with the best youth hockey experience possible– a best-in-class facility, friendly staff, and professional coaches. Most of all we are looking forward to building lasting friendships based on hockey culture, skill, and development. Being a member of the Greenwich Skating Club is a privilege and one of the best family experiences available for young hockey players. We think our coaches bring more than just X's and O's. They bring their experiences playing at the highest level of our sport. So let's take it outside!
DIRECTOR OF MITE PROGRAM
Ian Tarrant will return as mite director and will expand his role by taking on the head coaching job for Mite Red. Ian's family has a long history of coaching in the state of Connecticut. His father, Moe Tarrant, has coached for more than 30 years and Ian is following in his father's footsteps. Ian built the highly successful Mite program at Chelsea Piers CT and is second-to-none when it comes to teaching skills and skating prowess. Ian has been coaching at sports camps since he was 12 years old.
DIRECTOR OF GIRLS' HOCKEY
Shannon Doyle (BU, CT Whale) was recently named director of girls' hockey. She will oversee our girls hockey program. In addition to being an incredible coach, Shannon brings a lifelong history of playing hockey at the very highest level. After playing for Boston University, Shannon was picked to represent Canada at the U18 World Junior Tournament in 2009-2010– a true accomplishment. For the last several years Shannon captained the NWHL's Connecticut Whale team.
DIRECTOR OF MINI-MITES
Kayla Grace will join us as director of mini-mites. Kayla brings her amazing skating abilities to our youngest players. She will be able to lay the foundation of strong skating (and excitement) for a program designed to set the hook for life-long hockey players. With the right balance of skills and fun, there will be no better place to introduce a young hockey player to the sport.
DIRECTOR OF GIRLS' GOALTENDING
Brooke Wolejko (St. Lawrence, CT Whale) is joining us as director of girls' goaltending. Brooke brings us professional-grade goaltending knowledge that will translate into a very healthy pipeline of young female players at that position. Developing young goalies is a very important building block for any program and we are committed to having the very best offering in the state.
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