BRIAN PUCHALA SPECIAL MOMENTS AWARD
Brian Puchala served in many positions; team manager, assistant coach, coach, ice scheduler, and president. He organized many tournaments and spent most of his winter at the arena for many years with the club, formally known as Morinville Minor Hockey. Brian did this all for the love of the game and Geoffrey, one of his six children.
For the 15th year, the Puchala family is offering a 'Special Moments Award' to members of Sturgeon Hockey Club. Three players will be selected to attend the Penticton Hockey School in the upcoming summer. This award is open to Fillies, Mustang and Sting players.
LEIGH KILARSKI MEMORIAL AWARD "BEST SPORTSMAN" (U11-SHC)
Leigh Jacob Kilarski, born October 23, 1983, son of Ray and Sue Kilarski, passed away tragically enroute to a hockey game on November 19, 1994.
At the tender age of 11, Leigh was in his second year of U11 and was playing for the Morinville Icebreakers. Leigh was an exemplary team member in many years. He will always be remembered as a highly motivated, enthusiastic, respectful, congenial, well-liked player and friend. Above all, a true sportsman.
The criterion for this award is:
- must exhibit motivation
- enthusiasm
- respect for others
- congeniality
- good sportsmanship.
DACS JAN MITCHELLE GRAY MEMORIAL TROPHY (U15-SHC)
Award is to be presented to the individual whose actions clearly demonstrate:
- supportive attitude of a team player
- determination to set and achieve self-directed goals
- courtesy and diplomacy of sportsmanship
- encouragement and respectful treatment towards all ages
BRADLEY ARCAND-YELLOWDIRT MEMORIAL AWARD (U18-STING)
Bradley Arcand Yellowdirt passed away tragically in a motor vehicle accident March 5, 1994, at the age of 16. Bradley was in his second year of U18A hockey and was playing for the Morinville Altrac Warriors. He will always be remembered for his determination, power and hustle as a winger.
Recipient criteria for this award include:
- must be a winger
- exhibit determination, power and hustle
JEFF RICHARDSON MEMORIAL AWARD TOP JUNIOR GOALTENDER (U11/U13-MUSTANGS) & TOP SENIOR GOALTENDER (U15/U18-MUSTANGS)
Jeff Richardson, a passionate goalie, passed away at the age of 21 in a motor vehicle accident on February 18, 2005. Jeff played for the Morinville U15 and U18 AA team and then played AAA for Strathcona and St. Albert. He was then signed by the Junior A Canmore Eagles before an out of town trade brought him home to play for the Jets. He finished his hockey career with the Morinville Junior C Club.
The criteria for these awards is:
- good ethics
- strong love for the game
- dedication
- strong skating ability
MURRAY KNIGHT MEMORIAL FUTURE LEADER AWARD (U18 GRADUATING PLAYER - ALL SHC PROGRAMS)
Murray Glenn Knight lived a zestful life of service and dedication to his family and the entire community. Murray was always the first person to lend a hand to family, friends, and strangers. Murray gave much of his time to many community organizations and the Morinville Minor Hockey Association was no different. Murray got involved with the hockey club in 1981. Murray held multiple positions in the hockey club over the years including, head coach, assistant coach, goalie coach, and being the President of the club for 5 years.
Murray (known to some as Slats) had a no non-sense approach to organizational operations while always making sure all the kids on the ice were working hard, smiling, and having the best experience they possibly could. Murray’s proud voice could be heard across the ice telling the kids to have their “stick down, heads up, hurry, hurry, hurry!”
Murray’s legacy will be of love, dedication, and volunteerism, while always striving to create a positive impact on every person who had the fortune of crossing paths with such an amazing human being as Murray Knight.
This award will be presented annually to a graduating Sturgeon Hockey Club player (Fillies, Mustangs and/or Sting) entering their first year of post-secondary education who has demonstrated a strong desire to make a difference in their community and who has demonstrated skills to show their future leadership potential. Simply stated, the recipient best exemplifies the qualities and attributes that Murray exemplified throughout his life!
Players are encouraged to submit a written application (maximum 1000 words) explaining how they meet the criteria to the President of the Sturgeon Hockey Club at president@sturgeonhockeyclub.com. Letters of reference to support your application are strongly encouraged. The recipient of this award will receive $1000 to go towards their post secondary studies. Deadline for the 2025/26 season submissions is Sunday, March 1, 2026 at 12:00 PM.
Award to be selected by the Sturgeon Hockey Club Executive in consultation with the Knight family.
TERRY GRYKULIAK MEMORIAL AWARD "OUTSTANDING HOCKEY VOLUNTEER"
Terry Grykuliak, born May 17, 1951, passed away tragically en-route to his son Tyler’s hockey game in Barrhead on November 19, 1994. Tyler was critically injured. Miraculously, Tyler recovered and resumed playing hockey several months later.
Terry was the manager of the Morinville Ice Breakers Atom B team and was an outstanding hockey volunteer for many years. He served in many capacities as a team manager, assistant coach, equipment manager, and a MMHA executive board member. Terry will be remembered as being a dedicated person, always willing to lend a hand in any way he could.
Criteria for the Outstanding Hockey Volunteer:
- Demonstrates dedication, devotion and a willingness to lend a hand
- Must serve in an official capacity as an Assistant Coach, Manager, or SHC Board Member
- Your nominated candidate must be supported by 3 nominators
Award Nomination Form to be Linked Here When Ready
BRENDA STEWART MEMORIAL AWARD "FAMILY SPIRIT"
In 2017 Brenda Stewart, Registrar and Director of Communications for the Sturgeon Hockey Club (SHC), passed away unexpectedly from a major heart attack. Brenda not only held a major role in the association but also the greater role of being a loving and devoted spouse to our past president, Wayne Gatza.
When Brenda came into Wayne's life in 2009 with not having any kids of her own, it was far from her mind to ever join or much less be a member of a minor hockey association. However, with her generous nature and kind soul she stood by Wayne’s side and together they lived the "hockey life".
She learned everything she could about the game while making it her own brand and exceeding all expectations in her volunteer role within the association. She adopted the “hockey mom” mentality and had nothing short of the hockey spirit. There wasn't one family that she didn't know, one name she couldn't remember and very rarely did she forget scores and stats of members of her own loving family. She also stepped up and ran the concession on behalf of the Morinville Kings while spending every weekend out of that window watching any game being played on the ice. Her dedication and devotion to the association was seen through everything she did, all without asking or complaining. If asked, she would simply say she did it all for the kids.
Award: A deserving SHC family will receive this award in honour of Brenda Stewart. The family will have proven that they are committed to the well-being of the association. They will have shown their willingness to help out and assist when needed. The players of this family will also have shown their true hockey spirit on and off the ice. The family as a whole will be viewed as a huge asset and role model to the other families of SHC.
Criteria for the Family Spirit Award:
- Demonstrates dedication and loyalty to the association through their volunteerism
- Must have a child registered in the Sturgeon Hockey Association
- Must be a member in good standing with the association
- Must adhere to Respect in Sport standards
Award Nomination Form to be Linked Here When Ready