HALIFAX, N.S. – Hockey Canada honoured nine community leaders from across the country during the awards banquet Friday night, held as part of the governing body’s 93rd Annual General Meeting (AGM) at the Westin Nova Scotian.

The 2012 Outstanding Volunteer Award went to Gord Hughes of Mississauga, Ont. Over the past 40 years, Hughes has volunteered his time to everything from the Mississauga Friendship Association to the Mississauga Canoe Club and Mississauga Olympic Organizing Committee. But above all else, he has been a hockey volunteer, working with the Mississauga Hockey League, Metropolitan Toronto Hockey League, Mississauga Chiefs and Ontario Hockey Federation, among other groups.

The nine award winners are as follows:

• Female Hockey Breakthrough Award

• (outstanding contribution to advancing female hockey)
• Karen Kost (Edmonton, Alta.)

• Liz MacKinnon Award

• (special contributions of a Hockey Canada volunteer’s spouse)
• Sylvia Drago (Sudbury, Ont.)

• Hal Lewis Award

• (Hockey Canada staff person who best exemplifies the spirit of the organization)
• Kevin Webster (Calgary, Alta.)

• Gordon Juckes Award

• (outstanding contribution to the development of amateur hockey at the national level)
• Gordie Whitlock (Cornwall, P.E.I.)

• Officiating Award

• (outstanding contribution to officiating at the branch and national level)
• David Taveroff (Mont-Royal, Que.)

• Hockey Canada Order of Merit – East

• (an individual who has served amateur hockey faithfully)
• Don Matheson (Sydney, N.S.)

• Hockey Canada Order of Merit – Central

• (an individual who has served amateur hockey faithfully)
• Georges Marien (Longueuil, Que.)

• Hockey Canada Order of Merit – West

• (an individual who has served amateur hockey faithfully)
• Ray Boudreau (Spruce Grove, Alta.)

• Outstanding Volunteer Award

• (outstanding volunteer work in amateur hockey and Hockey Canada)
• Gord Hughes (Mississauga, Ont.)

Nominations for all awards were submitted by Hockey Canada’s 13 member branches and the winners were chosen by Hockey Canada’s selection committee. The success of minor hockey associations in Canada depends heavily on volunteers and Hockey Canada is pleased to recognize the individuals who contribute greatly to the game of hockey across the country.

More than 250 representatives from regional and provincial hockey associations are in Halifax for Hockey Canada’s 93rd Annual General Meeting, which started Thursday, May 24 and wraps up Sunday, May 27.

For more information on Hockey Canada, its teams, events and programs, please visit www.HockeyCanada.ca.

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