The Capital Region Female Minor Hockey Association was named the recipient of the Frank Spring Award as the minor hockey association of the season for 2022-23 by sa国际传媒 Hockey.
The association, whose teams are nicknamed Reign, was founded in 2019 and has grown to more than 300 players. The organization was cited for its NHL/NHLPA First Shift programs, which offer players new to hockey a chance to try the sport and receive a full set of equipment. The association has conducted six Esso Fun Day six-session programs and four First Shift programs since its founding.
Don Freer of Victoria was named winner of the sa国际传媒 Hockey Diamond Stick Award. He was the second full-time executive director of the sa国际传媒 Amateur Hockey Association, serving 27 years until retiring in 2000. Freer was elected as an honorary life member of sa国际传媒 Hockey in acknowledgement of his contributions to hockey in sa国际传媒 and the Yukon.
Graedy Hamilton, out of the Cowichan Valley Minor Hockey Association, who began his Western Hockey League refereeing career at the age of 18, was named sa国际传媒 Hockey official of the year. Hamilton has also worked pro hockey in the American Hockey League and internationally at the Hlinka-Gretzky Cup and world junior championship, where he officiated the bronze medal games at both tournaments this past year. He is the youngest referee in over a decade to be selected for both the third round of the AHL playoffs and the Ed Chynoweth Cup WHL final.
