Recognition Awards 2021-2022 Season
The NCHL presented a number of recognition awards to players, team management and League management to acknowledge their commitment to their teams and to the NCHL. Our congratulations go out to these individuals for their efforts in keeping Senior Hockey flourishing in North Central Alberta and the NCHL in particular.
Jerry Muise - NCHL
Sam Maupin - Jerry Muise - Kirk Holtet - Trish McFarlane-Rizko
Jerry Muise, current NCHL President, was recognized for his long association with the NCHL. Jerry started off working as a linesman doing NCHL games in 1995 and 1996. In 1997, Jerry was named the Head Coach of the Hinton Heat, winning the Coach of the Year award and a Division regular season championship in 1998-1999. When the Onoway Ice Dogs were admitted into the NCHL for the 2005-2006 season, Jerry was named their inaugural Head Coach. Jerry was elected as Vice President in 2010 under then President George Vanberg and served as VP until Vanberg's retirement in 2016 at which time he was elected as NCHL President.
Sam Maupin - NCHL
Kirk Holtet - Sam Maupin - Trish McFarlane-Rizko
Sam Maupin, current NCHL Vice President, was recognized for her long time dedication the league. Sam came into the NCHL as the GM of the Rocky Rams in 2010 when they transferred from the Chinook Hockey League. She held that position until the Ram's franchise folded in 2017, after which she was elected Vice President of the NCHL.
Trish McFarlane-Rizko - NCHL
Sam Maupin - Trish McFarlane-Rizko - Jerry Muise
Trish McFarlane-Rizko, current NCHL secretary/treasurer, was recognized for her dedication and service both to the NCHL and her former team, the Devon Barons. Trish came into the NCHL when the Devon Barons came into the league in 2012, then was appointed in 2017 to her current position on the NCHL executive.
Tony Kulbisky - Devon Barons
Sam Maupin - Tony Kulbisky - Jerry Muise
Tony was recognized for his 10 years as the GM of the Devon Barons. During this time, Tony has done pretty much anything that was required with the Barons, who came into the NCHL in 2012 when the Legal Vipers franchise was relocated to Devon. Devon won back to back Vanberg Cups with Tony as GM.
Mik Ohkeena - Devon Barons
Sam Maupin - Mik Ohkeena - Jerry Muise
Mik was recognized for the hundreds of photos taken at most Devon games for the last 10 years. Many of Mik's photos are used on this website for player bio pictures and league award winners.
Rod Kaliel - Westlock Warriors
Rod Kaliel - Jerry Muise
Rod was recognized for having played 160 regular season games with the Warriors/Wolfpack over 16 NCHL seasons. Rod started his senior hockey career with the Westlock Wolfpack when they first entered the NCHL in the 1998-1999 season and played there, winning the Alberta Senior A championship in 2000. The Wolfpack moved over to the Chinook Hockey League in 2000 and stayed in the Chinook for 4 seasons before returning to the NCHL for the 2005 season and then folded. Rod then played for the Legal Vipers from 2006 to 2012 when that franchise folded. The Warriors were admitted into the NCHL for the 2013 season, winning the Vanberg Cup in 2014. Rod has continued playing although he has been spending more time as an assistant coach.
Mike Ivey - Westlock Warriors
Mike Ivey - Jerry Muise
Mike was recognized for having played over 100 games (108) over 8 years with the Warriors. Mike is the Warrior's team manager as well as head coach and captain. Mike is the NCHL's leading active scorer and has led the Warriors in scoring for 5 of his 8 seasons. The Warriors won the Vanberg Cup with Ivey as their captain in 2014-15.
Nathan Brown - Westlock Warriors
Nathan Brown - Jerry Muise
Nathan was recognized for playing over 100 (103) games over his 7 seasons with the Warriors. Nathan joined the Warriors in the 2014-2015 season after playing 4 seasons of NCAA with Northland College. The Warriors won the Vanberg Cup that season and Nathan was voted to the NCHL's second all star team. Nathan is currently ranked 10th among active scoring leaders in the NCHL.
Cody Issler - Devon Barons
Sam Maupin - Cody Issler - Jerry Muise
Cody was recognized for having played over 100 (105) regular season games in his NCHL career. Cody started his career in the 2014-2015 season with the Morinville Kings, and prior to the 2017-2018 season switched to the Devon Barons. Cody is one of only four active players in the NCHL with over 100 regular season games played
The NCHL congratulates these individuals for their commitment to our great game!