Congratulations to the Following Teams for their Gold Medal Playoff Victories!

Novice NW270

Peewee NW275

BIG CONGRATULATIONS TO BANTAM NW279

Not only did they win Playoffs but they were also Minor Hockey Week Champions!

Congratulations to the coaches, families and players!  Well Done!

HAWKS ATHLETIC CLUB

CASINO

Wednesday & Thursday, June 27 & 28, 2012

Yellowhead Casino

All Shifts Available

$100.00 Credit per shift worked

Please contact Susan Rolf by e-mail to susan.rolf@petroskills.com

Lane Watkins Memorial Hockey Award

In Memory of Private Lane Watkins

June 5, 1987 - July 4, 2007

2011 Award Amount $600.00 NWZ Midget Player

2010 Award Amount $400.00 Hawks Athletic Club Bantam Player and

4 x $50 Initiation Registrations to Garrison Minor Hockey Players

2009 Award Amount $250.00 KC Peewee Player

Lane was a son, grandson, brother & twin, uncle, nephew, cousin, friend and mentor.  Lane joined the Canadian Forces in 2005 and just before training for deployment, volunteered with the Hawks Athletic Club in Edmonton helping with player evaluations.  Lane was a member of the Princess Patricia Canadian Light Infantry, 3VP.  On July 4, 2007 Lane was killed while on tour in Afghanistan.

Lane loved his hockey.  He played in our small town with the same group of friends his whole life.  His team struggled all through minor hockey - losing way more games than they won.  One year they didn't win a single game.  But they never quit - they never gave up and in their final year of minor hockey they surprised everyone (especially themselves) by winning the league championship.  They did it through hard work and especially by sticking together and supporting each other.  These were important life lessons that served Lane well when he joined the army - team work, perseverance and never giving up on your friends.  He even played in a 'linament' tournament here in Clearwater just before he left for Afghanistan.  He also helped referee at the tournament.  If he was needed, he could be counted on to help.  In our small town, everyone volunteers and helps out when they are needed and that included Lane and his brothers.  Lane often helped out the icemaker at the rink during tournaments and would help with the waiting rooms, time clock, etc during tournaments.

Being in shape was very important to Lane.  He lifted weights, ran and worked out with his friends.  His coach often said it was so great that Lane gave 110% in drills at practice because that encouraged everyone else to try harder too.  He showed leadership in the dressing room - if one of the guys were out of line, not listening to the coach, etc, Lane would speak up and get things back on track.  Of course he was bigger and stronger than everyone else so that might have had something to do with it!  Lane was kind of quiet, but he had tons of friends both at home and in the army - and we believe that is was his work ethic, his sense of humor, his loyalty to his friends and respoct for others that earned him so many good friends.

Lane's legacy - work hard, respect your coaches, the other players and referees, be a leader on and off the ice - but most of all, have fun.

Kyle Davidson

Kyle is the second cousin of Lane.  In 2009, Kyle wanted to do something to remember Lane.  Instead of putting a memorial in the paper, Kyle, with the support of Lane's family, raised money to help pay for a child's hockey registration.  He was 15 at the time.  Kyle raises money by collecting bottles throughout the year.  If you would like to support this award or know someone who would benefit, please check out the nomination form below.

Nomination Form