Hello Comet Families,
As all of you know, our board makes many decisions each year and deciding on our award recipients is one of the toughest. This year was no different as the list of nominees was absolutely stellar. Each of the nominees has had a very positive influence on their teams and deserves our full recognition and appreciation.
We would like to thank our Coaches, Parents and Players for sending in their nominations.
Winner of Karina Misfeldt Memorial Award - Sarah Folk
It was evident from the first practice that Sarah was the right choice to lead the U18A Comet Predators as the team’s captain. She continued to prove this throughout the season with her hard work and positive attitude, dedication to attending team activities, and involvement in organizing team events.
When Sarah is away from her Comet team activities, she spends her time coaching. She has met any and all coaching requirements along the way without hesitation, and she is always coaching with her trademark smile. She works as a skating coach in a learn to skate program teaching young kids the joys of being on the ice, and has also assistant coached for a number of years for her younger brother’s teams. This season it was the U13C Redwings.
Her hard work and dedication are evident every time she steps on the ice. Her determination never stops…she always gives 110%. Always looking for opportunities to spend as much time on the ice as she can to improve her skills, Sarah has attended many hockey camps and early morning skates in addition to her team’s regular ice times.
She can always be found cheering on and supporting her teammates: before the game in leading the pregame dressing room sing-a-longs, during the game with high fives and game strategies, and after the game in the post game chatter.
Sarah was also nominated by the Comets for the Evan Thomas Memorial SMHA Sportsperson of the Year Award & Scholarship - presented by Airline Hotels
Congratulations Sarah!!
Winner of Lexi Gabruch Memorial Award – Taylor Hounjet
Taylor is a very hardworking and dedicated hockey player. She comes to every practice with a willingness to work her hardest, learn, and get better. She is a team player who is always willing to help whenever she can, and she leads by example with her positive attitude and great work ethic.
Taylor recently did a school project on the History of Comets Hockey. Taylor put an extraordinary amount of time into this project which showed her love and dedication not only to the sport, but also to our organization.
Congratulations Taylor!!
Winner of Comets JR Coach of the Year – Mike McLay
Mike is no stranger to coaching in the Comets Zone. He has been an assistant coach with his older daughter’s team for the past four seasons, and has learned a lot from being an assistant coach with Garett Soparlo. Mike felt confident this year in taking on the head coach job, and he has involved himself in all aspects of the team.
Mike focuses on the whole team’s player and skill development, while emphasizing a love for the sport and involving families in the process. His practices were described as extremely organized and well executed. He was able to keep this young group engaged and active for the full hour of every practice, by having fun while learning skills. Mike is very inclusive and a true team builder. He was instrumental in organizing many team bonding events for the players and their families. Mike also made sure his team was given opportunities to grow and learn from other experienced coaches and players. He even made the effort to attend other Comets games to support those players who had come to out to assist at some of his practices.
Thank you and Congratulations Mike!
Winner of Comets SR Coach of the Year – Brad Hutchison
Brad has shown outstanding leadership and volunteerism to the Comets organization over the last 11 years. Brad’s dedication to coaching and involvement with Comets hockey is outstanding and very admirable. Currently, Brad coaches with three different Comets teams.
Brad has three daughters who have played Comets hockey since they started in initiation. Brad dedicates his time to coaching all three girls. He is committed to helping each girl’s team equally, and is an assistant coach that every head coach wants to have as a partner. Brad is reliable and knowledgeable, a fantastic coach, and a good friend to all.
Brad is a leader on the bench, always helping players understand the game. He is famous for using his white board on the bench and in the dressing room, drawing things up to help his players. He encourages his players to give their best effort and is always considerate of their feelings.
Brad pushes his players to work hard and put in the effort to improve their skills. He gives them realistic goals to reach and always finds the positive in situations. Brad’s calm nature on the bench and in the dressing room helps create an atmosphere where players can excel.
Brad is always well prepared, reliable, knowledgeable, and well respected by other coaches, parents and players.
Brad supports females in hockey and sees the benefit of having good female coaches on the bench and in the dressing room. He has been a mentor for two young female coaches on his oldest daughter’s team. (U18-Comet Sting). He treats coaches and officials with respect and treats players fairly. If ever needed, Hutch will always have your back!
Brad was also nominated by the Comets for the Al Anderson’s Source for Sports SMHA Coach of the Year
Congratulations Coach Brad!!
Winner of the Comets Volunteer of the Year Award – Carey Allchurch
Carey has gone above and beyond to ensure that the girls on Comet Eclipse had an amazing hockey season on and off the ice. Here are a “few” of the things Carey has done that make her the perfect recipient for this award:
- To help develop the girls on the ice skills, she has booked extra ice times, physical training sessions, and power skating sessions. She even offered to pick up players for the early morning sessions so that no player would miss out.
- During the holiday season, she organized multiple sessions at various outdoor rinks throughout Saskatoon, with hot chocolate and snacks provided for players and their families.
- She organized a volunteer opportunity at a nursing home where the players and siblings raked leaves and cleaned up an outdoor space.
- She organized a volunteer opportunity at New Hope Dog Rescue.
- During the holiday season, she organized a Christmas card writing event where the players made homemade Christmas cards for the elderly in nursing homes. Carey personally delivered the cards to the seniors in the nursing home.
- The team did a book study on Haley Wickenheiser's book, and Carey hosted a book discussion and wacky hair night at her house. The girls had a great night talking about hockey and their take-aways from the book.
- She organized a float in the Santa parade. The players worked in Carey's garage to create a large hockey float. On the day of the parade, the players wore their Comets jerseys and handed out candy canes and coupons for Pizza Hut pizza to the crowd.
- Carey organized a family movie night for the Saskatoon hockey community at the Broadway Theatre to watch the Mighty Ducks movie. Carey created posters for the players to post in their community, and she organized opportunities for the players to be on the radio to showcase this event. Carey then arranged for two U of S hockey players to speak to the crowd prior to the movie about their journey through hockey and the lessons that they have learned from playing sports.
Carey was described as being completely selfless, as she put all her efforts into prioritizing the girls, coaches, and parents. Her efforts are often described as truly amazing.
Carey was also nominated by the Comets Crestline Coach SMHA Volunteer of the Year Award and was awarded this prize as well.
Congratulations Carey!!