Hockey NL would like to congratulate and recognize, Bernie Sweeney – Coach of the Month, February 2018! 

Bernie has been coaching for 20 + years and is currently coaching the Paradise Warriors Peewee B team. Bernie’s team was a top ten finalist for the Chevrolet Good Deeds Cup.

Write up submitted:

Not only is Bernie very knowledgeable about the game of hockey, but he is very good at getting it across to the kids, all the while keeping it fun. To go along with coaching the Peewee B he is also on the ice with numerous other teams and/or hockey camps and devotes countless hours of his time without hesitation or complaint. As many now know, the Peewee B team was selected as one of the top ten finalist for the Chevrolet Good Deeds Cup after they came together and held a Novice tournament and sold 50/50 tickets in order to raise money to help another player (Charlie) from our organization at the Novice level go to Toronto for medical reasons. This entire event was held solely because Bernie and his wife Melanie took it upon themselves to organize and plan everything, which also involved having the Peewee B team involved and helping out as this would also instill a sense of giving back, which is something they should be proud of, both as hockey players and individuals. He shows that hockey can also be used to teach lessons in life and how helping others is a very important one. The kids had a great time, made Charlie feel like part of our team and raised over $1,700 as well! What Bernie was doing was mentoring these kids to understand that giving back doesn’t take much but means a lot!! I have had the privilege of having Bernie as my assistant coach last year in Novice Select and one of my coaches in Novice Major. I can tell you that he is an educator and great coach when it comes to life lessons being taught on the bench and off.  I can’t think of anybody right now that would be more deserving than a coach of the month award from Hockey NL.

CLICK HERE to view the Paradise Warriors Peewee B – Chevrolet Good Deeds Cup Story.

Bernie will receive a coaching package from Hockey NL for his efforts, including: Hockey NL Sherwood coach bag, 3M Tape Tiger, FOX 40 whistle, Bauer polo shirt and other various items


Hockey NL would like to congratulate and recognize, Troy Hunt– Coach of the Month for January 2018!

 

Troy has been coaching minor hockey in Clarenville for 8 years (currently with the Bantam Division). His story is truly inspiring both on and off the ice.

Write up submitted:
 
Troy Hunt has been one of those coaches that always is here for the good of the kids. He has always been known for saying that at the end of a season or practice that all he wants is for the kids to have taken something away and have learned a new skill. He is very passionate in his role as coach and just wants the kids to learn. Before every practice, he spends a lot of time planning and preparing sometimes to just change things up on the ice because he feels at that given time a different approach may be necessary. 
 
Last season Troy was coaching Peewee 1 for Clarenville and one of the worse things that could have happened to a dad, happened. His son was diagnosed with Leukemia in November and everything changed for him and his family. The night of his sons diagnosis Troy called me (as director and manager of the team) to ensure I could get practice covered and told me what was happening. Hockey was the last thing on his mind but he still made the call. Troy spent the next 8 months away from Clarenville caring for his son in St Johns and Toronto hospitals. He still made time to check in before games and wish his team luck throughout the season. 
 
This season, thankfully Troy is back on the bench coaching Bantam. He is volunteering his time during weekly division practices and travelling with the team to various games and running team practices. His son Darian is doing awesome but is still unable to attend hockey practices as a player but attends each practice and game to cheer on his teammates or help out on the bench. The respect and love that Troy’s players and their parents have for him makes him a perfect candidate for this award. Everyone is so happy to have him and Darian back at the rink!
 
Troy will receive a coaching package from Hockey NL for his efforts, including: Hockey NL Sherwood coach bag, 3M Tape Tiger, FOX 40 whistle, Bauer polo shirt and other various items.
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(Troy being presented with his coach of the month package by son Darian) 

 

 

 

Hockey NL would like to congratulate and recognize, Dale Hollett – Coach of the Month for December 2017! 

Dale has been actively coaching for 16 years with the Bay d’Espoir Minor Hockey Association. Dale is currently coaching and assisting with three divisions this season (Atom, Bantam and Midget).

Write up submitted:

Dale Hollett is an exceptional coach. He has 3 kids in Minor hockey. Atom, Bantam and Midget and coaches all 3 of the divisions which leaves him at the rink just about every night of the week. He never turns down a road trip or a game at home and usually has to spend his entire Easter Vacation on the road for Provincials. He does all of this while holding a full time industrial mechanic position with NF Hydro and after all of this, the only complaint I have ever heard from Dale is that his feet are tired! I believe there should be more coaches in the world like Dale as his passion for his kids and hockey is exemplary.

Dale will receive a coaching package from Hockey NL for his efforts, including: Hockey NL Sherwood coach bag, 3M Tape Tiger, FOX 40 whistle, Bauer polo shirt and other various items.

Congratulations Dale, keep up the great work!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

To nominate a coach in your area, CLICK HERE

To learn more about the Coach of the Month program CLICK HERE