Annual Awards

• Any MHRA member may nominate someone for an award in any category.
• Review the nomination form that includes a description of the award criteria (forms are below).
• Include a letter with the nomination form describing why the individual deserves the award. 
• Include a letter of support from another MHRA Member. 
• Email all the applicable attachments to pr@mhringette.com, which will be forwarded to the Selection Committee.

BOBI BUCHHOLZ MEMORIAL GOALIE OF THE YEAR AWARD

MHRA has a new annual award in honour of  former goal tender Bobi Buchholz.   Here is some information about Bobbi's Ringette career with MHRA:

Bobi Started playing ringette at the age 6.  She spent the first 4 years as a player and moved to goalie the beginning of her 5th season.

During her time as player Bobi always wore her favourite number 3, and was completely crushed when she became a goalie and the number wasn’t available in a big enough jersey for a goalie to wear.  She then had no choice but to start sporting the number 33.

It was during her second season as a goalie that Bobi showed up to practice wearing the only set of PINK goalie pads anyone had ever seen, as well as a Pink blocker.  It was from then on that it didn’t matter what it was but Bobi always had to play with something pink on.   Even after growing out of her pink pads it could have been tape, skate laces, headband, it didn’t matter but she was always wearing something pink.

Bobi’s love for the game, and even more so her passion for the position was so much bigger than her tiny little frame.  Bobi spent countless hours in the yard with her dad having him take shots on her.  Even her older sister got in on that action.  She would spend hours stretching her tiny little legs, just trying to get better at the darn “butterfly”. 

Accomplishments that stand out:  as a U16B goalie she was invited to be the back up goalie for the U16A team as they attended Western Canadian Ringette Championships.  Bobi was able to compete in the Goalie Skills competition and she won.  (The team went on to win westerns that year).

The following season as one of the goalies for the U16A team she helped her team to win provincials that year sending them to Western Canadian Ringette Championships.  Her team would finish 4th that year.

Recipients:

2018 - Rheagyn Heinrichs (U14B Rogue)

2019- Sydney Carlson

2020- Jena Harty (U16A Riptide)

2022 - Kyree Stern-Rebmann (U16B Goal Diggers)

VOLUNTEER OF THE YEAR AWARD
Origins of the Award
In 2003,  an avid supporter, relentless volunteer and fan of Ringette with two granddaughters in our organization sadly passed away. Jerry Miller was a tireless worker that almost no one could keep up with.  He was, among other things, a mechanic, a carpenter, a plumber, an electrician, a computer tech, a baseball coach, a teacher and most of all, the ULTIMATE volunteer.  Co-workers in the English Department at Medicine Hat High School presented our association with a donation in memory of their colleague and the association executive concluded that a plaque, inscribed in Jerry's memory, would honour him and his accomplishments as well as other dedicated volunteers in years to follow.

The Medicine Hat Ringette Association may award one Volunteer of the Year award at the end of each season. The Volunteer of the Year Award is intended to recognize an individual who has made an outstanding contribution to the Medicine Hat Ringette Association and the sport of Ringette.   Request for nominations will be sent out to the membership in March of each year.

Past Recipients of the Award:

2003- Ed & Vivian Horvath

Ed and Vivian are the pioneers of Ringette and our Association in Medicine Hat. They have invested countless hours in every aspect of the sport, including serving as Referee in Chief, coaching and Tiering committees. Even today, we continue to benefit from their hard work and dedication. Our annual, highly regarded tournament, known as the Ed Horvath Interprovincial Classic, carries Ed's name as a tribute. Ed and Vivian now reside in Calgary and continue to support the MHRA.

2004- David & Pat Yip

Dave and Pat have continuously been involved in many facets of Ringette in Medicine Hat. Whether it's behind a bench as a coach, as sponsors, or involved in various committees and executive positions, they approach all with enthusiasm and dedication. They are true supporters of the sport we all love.

2005- Tom Plante

Tom's diligent, dedicated efforts in many positions of the MHRA including Co-Coach, Coach, Equipment Director, President and Tournament Director, and promoting all aspects of Ringette in our community continue to inspire others. He is truly deserving of the honor.

2006- Sandra & Michael Mason

2016- Guy Lanigan * Also received the RAB Friends of Ringette Award

Guy became involved in Ringette 12 years ago in Medicine Hat, this positive and outgoing individual has taken on several roles for the association, scheduler, 1-2-3 league liaison, tournament coordinator, and referee-in-chief. He also acted as Ringette Sport Chair for the recent Alberta Winter Games, where he helped create a well-organized tournament that was an overwhelming success.

2017- Hanna Heidel

2018 - Chloe Aman

2019- Kelley & Josh Hudson

2020- Wade Carrier

2022 - Rebecca Jackiw

2023 - Elisha Ammann & Marie Allchurch

PLAYER OF THE YEAR
The Medicine Hat Ringette Association may award one Player of the Year award at the end of each season. Our Player of the Year Award honours players who best exemplify sportsmanship, leadership, and Ringette ability and performance.

Past Award Recipients:

2016- Jenna McDonnell- U16B Vibe & Kennedy Lanigan- U14A 

2017- Sheridyn Herman- U14A Attack

2018 - Amanda Robinson - U16A Mission

2019- Sidney Williams- U16B Afterschock

2020- Allison Mason- U19A Mighty Ducks

2022 - Kylie Kallenburger -U19A Gators

 
OFFICIAL OF THE YEAR
The Medicine Hat Ringette Association may award one Official of the Year award at the end of each season. The selected official will have demonstrated a strong performance and commitment to the sport of Ringette through active participation and involvement.  Criteria for this award include: level of contribution, longevity of service, impact on the sport, demonstration of excellence; attitude; and peer feedback.

Past Recipients of the Award:

2016- Brian Syverson- * Brian was also nominated and won the RAB Official of the Year Award. 

Brian has been reffing for 27 years in Medicine Hat.  Over the years he has held many roles surrounding officiating.  He advocates that partnerships are paramount for a successful officiating team, and always tries to promote a fun atmosphere despite the pressures of officiating. On-ice he always has fun while officiating a fair and consistent game.  Congratulations on your retirement Brian.

2017- Mishaela Lanigan

Mishaela started refereeing Ringette in 2010. Over the years she has learned to love another aspect of Ringette besides being a player. Her goal with officiating initially was to referee the young local teams for a little extra pocket money, but soon realized that she loved the interaction with the players, coaches, and other officials. 

2018 - Maggie Carrier

2019- Jessica Heidel

2020- Samantha Sanders

2022 - Corey Mason

2023 -  Sophie Kerr

COACH OF THE YEAR
Medicine Hat Ringette Association may award one Coach of the Year award at the end of each season. Coach of the Year Award is intended to recognize an individual who has made an outstanding contribution to a team.  

Past Award Recipients:  

2016- Dieter Stanke (U16B Vibe Provincial Champions)

2017- Erin Mastel (U14B Blaze) 

2018 - Loralee Eastland (Head - U14B Rogue, Assistant - U16A Mission, Head - AWG Zone 1 HELIOS)

2019- Marty Robinson (U16A Mud Hens)

2020- John Karamonos (16A Riptide)

2022 - Ariana Hermann (U10 Gators)

2023 - Loralee Eastland (U12B)