Jim Mutcheson – September 2014
Morden, MB (Pembina Valley)

Jim Mutcheson started playing hockey at a young age in the old Morden arena. Growing up Jim was also an avid baseball player. He has officiated for decades, coached for many years and most recently served for a decade on the Morden Minor Hockey Executive and another on the Pembina Valley Minor Hockey Executive. Jim also served a number of years on the Hockey Manitoba Board of Directors.

Jim has always been very active in the community and continues to be a regular volunteer on committees such as the Manitoba Winter Games held last winter, the World Juniors in Winnipeg a number of years ago, countless Bingos and other fundraisers for the kids in the Morden area.

Jim is a wonderful example of a dedicated volunteer and a deserving recipient of this award.

Hockey Manitoba congratulates Jim Mutcheson as the September 2014 Volunteer of the Month.

 

 

Clay Cory – October 2014
Wawanesa, MB (Westman South)

Clay Cory coached his boys from Initiation to Midget from 1996-2009. He has also coached with the Regional Development Squads Program from 2009 to present. Clay became the Regional Coordinator for the Pee Wee Development Program in 2013. Clay instituted and ran a Breakfast Club in Wawanesa for four years, sat on the Minor Sports Association for seven years and was secretary and a member of the Wawanesa Rink Board for 15 years. Clay also worked as a custodian for about 10 years. He has never missed a season without some kind of hockey coaching position.

In 2012, Wawanesa Minor Sports asked Clay to coach the local Bantam team. They felt it was important to have a non-parent coach for this age group. Clay has devoted his personal time now for this age group for three years and has taught them discipline, sportsmanship, dedication, respect, love of the game and leadership.

Clay believes that practices are most important to help develop children’s skills. He works very hard to understand each child’s strength, weaknesses and personalities in order to build his team. He spends extra time with any child trying out for the Director’s Cup or Bantam AAA programs. He ensured the children practiced and were comfortable with the drills they needed to know for these particular tryouts.

Last year Clay wanted to do something special for the players and their parents. He planned a “Parent Appreciation Night”. He knew that this was going to be the last year for some of the children as minor hockey members, as some would not have a place to play for the next year and some would move on to High School hockey. Clay asked each player to bring a photo of them when they first started playing hockey. He purchased the food, had the boys prepare and serve the meal and dessert, decorated the tables and had them dress up and escort their parents to their table. He had the captains prepare a speech to the parents, to say thank you for all they have done over the past years. It was a very special evening and one the parents will never forget.

Clay’s example and his coaching beliefs have inspired Wawanesa Minor Sports, the coaches, parents and players in the community. He is asked for advice regularly and many times he will just offer it as he walks by a practice or game from a team he is not even coaching. Clay has brought value to his community, to the region and most importantly the children.

Hockey Manitoba congratulates Clay Cory as the October 2014 Volunteer of the Month.