March 2011 Volunteers of the Month

Ken & Larry Michiels – Holland, MB (PEMBINA VALLEY)

Brothers Ken & Larry Michiels have been active supporters of hockey in Holland and surrounding area in excess of 35 years. They both started out their involvement in hockey as youths playing on the local minor Rocket teams. After minor hockey they played and coached Rocket hockey with the local senior team where they won many championship and provincial banners. They moved onto coaching where they have been actively coached many kids over the years. They have both served as president on the Holland Recreation Council for years; and Larry is still the active president of the Recreation Council. They have both spear-headed and helped with the many stages of renovations to the local arena, to make it the great facility that it is today for youth to be able to have a place to play the game they love. The Michiels brothers are known in hockey rinks across Manitoba; whether it is from when they both played hockey from youth through to adult or from their exceptional coaching skills and the numerous hours that they have put into coaching the various teams over the years. When you walk into the Holland rink and look at all the banners hung in the lobby you with see their names on many of them.

Ask anyone in a hockey rink about the Michiels boys from Holland and they will tell you that their contributions to both local and regional hockey go with saying and their involvement in the game is extensive:

Pembina Valley believes that it is this type of commitment to not only the game of hockey but to the continuous effort in constantly going out of their way and making time in their busy schedules to provide a place for kids to play that make them an important resource within the community and region.

Hockey Manitoba congratulates Ken and Larry Michiels as March 2011 Volunteers of the Month.

Todd Ardron – Hartney, MB (WESTMAN SOUTH)

Todd, who is a School Teacher in Hartney, has been involved in Minor Hockey in the Westman South area at numerous levels over the past 15 years. He began coaching in the region at the High School level and presently coaches at the Atom level. In between, he has coached at the Initiation and Novice levels.

Todd is the coordinator and coach of the Breakfast Club in Hartney. He is Hartney’s representative at League and Regional meetings. Each year he runs practices during both the Male and Female POE tryouts. He has also acted as an Evaluator in these programs.

On top of these activities, Todd is the Arena Scheduler in Hartney and acts as the Treasurer of both Hartney Jr. Sports and the Westman Wildcats Female AA Midget program. As well, he serves on the Wildcats Board of Directors.

In the community, Todd is an active member of the Elks and serves as a Volunteer Fireman.

He truly exemplifies the true meaning of the word “Volunteerism”.

Hockey Manitoba congratulates Todd Ardron as a March 2011 Volunteer of the Month.