- 50 Years of Fort Qu'Appelle Minor Hockey is being celebrated January 23rd, 2010.
- Fans and community members are encouraged to attend an action packed day of hockey, contests, community history and fun from 10:00 am to 10:30 pm.
- All six Fort Qu'Appelle minor hockey teams are scheduled to play that day, starting with the pre novice game at 10:00 that morning and ending with the Midget game at 8:00 pm.
- Come out and watch a game, cheer on our youth, purchase a ticket on a 2010 Olympic Hockey Jersey or our Superstar Shoot to Win Contest, check out our hockey display tables with over fifty years of pictures, stories and hockey memorabilia and share in our day.
- Minor Hockey Day organizers are looking for hockey memorabilia to be displayed that day. Old equipment, pictures, sticks, jerseys, trophies and even old players welcomed on loan or donation.
- Please contact Charlene Horsman 332-5074 or Les Kolody 432-4510 to donate items or for further information.
Jack Maddia receives the SaskEnergy Volunteer Champion Award
Presentation to be made at between the first and second periods of the Pee Wee game, which starts at 3:15.
Jack was instrumental in establishing the Fort Qu'Appelle Minor Hockey Association in 1960, organizing minor hockey in Fort Qu'Appelle and surrounding area. For many years Jack served amateur hockey faithfully and with a great deal of integrity, participating as a player, coach, organizer, and huge supporter of the community and our youth. His leadership and commitment to the development of hockey and volunteers in our community is the reason we are proud today, to be celebrating 50 years of minor hockey in Fort Qu'Appelle.
Jack has been recognized at the community, provincial and national levels for his contribution to hockey. We offer but a small piece of this history:
- In 1974, Jack was selected to represent the Saskatchewan Coaches at a Coaching Symposium in Moscow, Russia during the Canada - Russia series, along with Dick Weist, Barry Trapp and Don Burgess;
- In 1986, as chairman of Minor Hockey for Saskatchewan, Jack accompanied the Notre Dame Midgets on their hockey tour of Japan with coach Terry O'Malley;
- In 1992, Jack received the Saskatchewan Hockey Association Outstanding Volunteer Award and the Hockey Canada Order of Merit Award in 1993. He has the annual cup awarded to the provincial Saskatchewan Bantam A championship team proudly recognizing his name and his contribution; and
- In 2002, Jack was inducted into the Saskatchewan Sports Hall of Fame where he is recognized as a "builder" of hockey in our province.
The community of Fort Qu'Appelle has greatly benefited from his leadership. For 50 years we have continued through the time, energy and support of our volunteers, our parents, our community and business leaders, to bring our children to the rink, to develop their skill, to build their confidence, and to support our nation's game through cooperative spirit and kinship. You will see on the ice with me today the legacy Jack has left behind. These are today's coaches, volunteers and players, they are here to honour Jack's contribution and we recognize them as a valued part of our community.
Jack and his wife Fran, have two daughters Donnie and Sarah, and a son Richard. They are blessed with grandchildren and live now in Regina. Jack continues to take an interest in the Fort Qu'Appelle Minor Hockey Association and the success of its players. The Fort Qu'Appelle and surrounding community is thankful to Jack for showing true leadership and passion in establishing organized hockey in our area.
Unfortunately, Jack is unable to be with us today due to some recent health problems, but we are pleased to present the Volunteer Champion Award to his two daughters Sarah and Donnie on his behalf. Please join me in showing our appreciation for Jack Maddia's contribution to minor hockey in Fort Qu'Appelle.
