Hockey Manitoba identifies ten (10) recipients annually for the Regional Volunteer Recognition Awards from each of its ten (10) regions as nominated by representatives from those regions. The purpose of these awards is to recognize outstanding commitment and significant contributions to the game of hockey in Manitoba.
2023 – 2024 Regional Volunteer Recognition Award Winners
Al Sellars – Brandon Region
Al Sellars has been involved in the Brandon hockey scene for six decades. He was a referee and a goalie as a teenager and was also a dressing room assistant for the Brandon Wheat Kings. He held many volunteer roles with the Wheat Kings for 30+ years including team videographer, minor official, mascot (the original Willie the Wheat King) and game day promotions. Al has been the scheduler for Hockey Brandon for close to 25 years and recently started working for Hockey Brandon in a full-time capacity.
Al has also been a coach for Hockey Brandon teams, first coaching in the mid to late 80’s for U13 and U15 teams and later in life helping to coach and manage his own children’s teams. He is the father of 3 children- Andrew, Logan and Treyson. Al has also recently returned to the game as a referee in Hockey Brandon at the ripe young age of 60!
Aside from hockey, Al enjoyed a career with the Addictions Foundation of Manitoba for 37 years- 32 years as the Head Cook and 5 years as part time Maintenance worker. Hockey has been in his blood his entire life and Al was lucky enough to be rewarded with a trip to Boston in 2019 to take in 2 games watching his beloved Boston Bruins as a retirement gift from his former co-workers at the Addictions Foundation of Manitoba.
Adam Dyck – Central Plains Region
Adam Dyck joined the St. Eustache Minor Hockey (STEMHA) board in 2016 and has served as President since 2021. Additionally, he represents STEMHA on the Central Plains Board. Over the years, Adam has enjoyed coaching his two sons’ teams from U7 to U15.
Adam takes pride in serving the association and region where he grew up playing hockey. Dedicated to leaving a positive impact, he strives to improve the communities that first fostered his love for the game. Adam is particularly proud of STEMHA’s efforts to enhance the hockey experience for its member families, both on and off the ice. Key initiatives developed in recent years include the introduction of the Breakfast Club, in-service day development camps, and the annual ‘STEMHA Parents Cup’ shinny tournament, which has become a highly anticipated event.
Adam is proud of what he and his teammates on the STEMHA board have accomplished over the years. In particular, the inception of the STEMHA Farms fundraiser, which has raised significant funds for the club, has supported numerous infrastructure projects to enhance and maintain the old rink.
Candace Morrow – Eastman Region
Candace Morrow has been involved in Le Club Sportif de La Broquerie as member and President for the past five seasons. She has been instrumental in leading La Broquerie MHA in all categories of player development, community involvement and their success on and off the ice. She was involved in La Broquerie’s “Try Hockey” initiative in 2019 that saw 20 kids try hockey for five sessions. Many of these kids are still actively playing hockey today.
Candace has spent endless amounts of hours attending meetings for her club and the Eastman Region. She’s well respected by her peers and is proactive in promoting and improving minor hockey in the Eastman area. Le Club Sportif de La Broquerie celebrated 75 years of Hockey this past season and Candace played a key role on the committee that organized multiple events to commemorate the historic year including an alumni weekend, Annual Hockey day in La Broquerie, and an end of year banquet. Candace’s hard work, dedication and many hours of volunteering as Club President was crucial in the success of her region’s hockey season.
Peter Mandryk – Interlake Region
Peter has been on the Stonewall Minor Hockey board since 2005 serving as President, Vice President, Treasurer, Secretary and currently as Director of Female Hockey.
Peter began coaching at the U-7 level and has coached male and female U9, U11, U13, U15 in Stonewall and U15 AAA female in the Interlake.
He has been coaching Female U18 AA for the past 6 years and together with Stonewall Minor Hockey helped to build a solid female program.
Peter enjoys volunteering and coaching in Stonewall where he and his wife Paula have lived for 35 years.
Mike Scaddan – Norman Region
Mike grew up locally playing TMHA hockey and progressed on to coaching and administration locally. Mike has coached various TMHA house league teams and held multiple TMHA board positions including Vice President Technical.
Mike managed and coordinate the Norman Wolves Program for four seasons, before accepting the role of Vice President with the Norman Northstars U18 program.
Mike has spent countless hours between his roles in TMHA, Norman Wolves and U18 Northstars and prefers to stay “behind the scenes” receiving very little recognition but often being involved in the tough decision with the mindset of what’s right for the players, organizations, and Norman Region.
He is not afraid to roll up his sleeves when work needs to be done. After recruiting a new coach, together with Coach Valentino, Mike played a huge role and again countless hours, in changing the format of the U18 Northstars program to mirror an academy setup with practice times workouts and focus on education, which proved to be a successful change.
Kenton and Marla Johnston – Parkland Region
Kenton and Marla Johnston have been an integral part of Roblin Minor Hockey, as well as the Parkland region for well over a decade. They both have a true passion for the game of hockey and have made huge contributions to their community throughout the years. They have both been positive role models and mentors to coaches, managers, officials, board members and parents within Roblin Minor Hockey and the Parkland region.
Marla joined the Roblin Minor Hockey Board in 2010 and has served as both Secretary and Treasurer until 2023. During that time, she went above and beyond what was required in her roles. Her commitment to researching and investigating new possibilities demonstrates her proactive approach to financial management, and a desire to secure resources for Roblin Minor Hockey’s growth and success. She continue to be one of the first to always offer help and support to all activities and events hosted by Roblin Minor Hockey.
Kenton joined the Roblin Minor Hockey Board in 2013 and served as president until 2023. He has shown remarkable commitment and leadership in guiding the boards activities and decisions. His long tenure as president signifies a deep dedication to the sport and a strong desire to contribute to the growth and success of the hockey community. Kenton has also been an official for many years and continues in that role, while also mentoring young referees, truly showing his dedication to the sport. Kenton has spent countless hours coaching over the last 12 years. Kenton is also an individual who has provided valuable feedback, to help enhance Parkland Hockey’s board operations and foster a positive environment for everyone involved in hockey related activities.
Chris Grenier- Pembina Valley Region
Chris Grenier began his minor hockey journey 12 years ago as a coach when his son began playing at the U7 level. In fact, he’s been an assistant coach and manager for all three of his kids. Chris joined Notre Dame Minor Hockey as a board member in his second year and served for eight years (three of those years as President). He was also chair of three Hockey Manitoba Provincial tournaments hosted in Notre Dame.
Most recently Chris served for six years with the Pembina Valley Minor Hockey Association in various roles. He has served as a convenor for u7/u9/u13/u15. He also served as vice director during a brief stint.
Chris has always had an open door when it came to communication. His phone was always on. Chris believes in kids come first. It’s all about the smiles and playing the game. The greatest game that exists he always says.
On a personal note Chris is married to his wonderful wife Christine. They have three children Zacharie, Chloe, Kyle. When Chris isn’t farming with his brother he loves following everything hockey including the Jets . He’s an avid curler and golfer. He is also a volunteer firefighter and sits on a few other boards.
Paul Krestanowich– Winnipeg Region
Born in Winnipeg and raised in River Heights, Paul Krestanowich’s involvement in hockey spans over five decades, as a player, official, coach, and administrator. Deciding his refereeing and school offered better options than playing, he embarked on a 21‐year career as a certified Hockey Manitoba official.
Serving as Referee‐in‐Chief of the Assiniboine Park Hockey Association (APHA) starting in 1987, he held the post until 1991 when he became a Hockey Manitoba Referee Supervisor for the next 10 years. He also served as a referee/linesman in the Western Hockey League from 1991‐2001. Attaining his Level 6 Official ranking, he was a referee/linesman in the International Hockey League and American Hockey League between 1996‐2004. He worked multiple Team Canada matches as an IIHF sanctioned referee between 1995‐1998.
In addition to his refereeing assignments, Krestanowich has coached minor hockey at all levels from U7 to AA to high school hockey. He’s been a key administrator at the River Heights/Corydon Community Club and puts his Economics degree to work, looking after the budgeting, sponsorship and other paperwork for the community club hockey program.
He has been the House League Hockey Tournament Chair from 2008 ‐ present, Vice President of
Ops/tryouts in APHA from 2011 ‐ 2014. Paul served on Hockey Winnipeg’s Executive as the Vice-President, Operations for 7 years – ending in 2023/24. He is now focusing his efforts on the Female Program and Grassroots initiatives with Hockey Winnipeg.
Jeff Hume– Yellowhead Region
After returning home to Oak River to run the family business, Jeff began coaching in Rivers with their minor hockey club. He truly enjoys sharing his passion for hockey and passing it along to the youth.
Jeff spent several years as Director of the Yellowhead Board, moving it in a positive direction and drawing interest to the region’s programs and teams. He was also active in the Rising Stars and Directors Cup development programs. He took the lead to ensure the players were given the same opportunities as in other areas of the province and he rounded up some of his peers to help the program thrive.
Jeff was asked to join the Co-ed U15 AAA team as an assistant coach and then as the team’s coaching staff moved on, he moved into the head coach role. He sourced out some new staff to come on board to benefit the players. The following year the AAA teams all had interest for coaches so he stepped back and focused on the Director role. A year later he found the Co-ed U18 AAA team was in need of coaching so he recruited a well-respected coach to step in that he knew would give the same heart and soul to the program as himself. He joined him on the bench as assistant coach as well as bringing in new staff to work with the players. He has thoroughly enjoyed all his years helping with any age group and any level within our region.
Wherever the need was, Jeff was keen to help and was more than happy to give back to the region that he grew up in. He made great friendships over the year and never wanted anything in return but to be able to see the growth in these players on and off ice. To this day he stays in touch and follows the many players that he has worked with and has pride in all that they accomplish in themselves.
