Here are this year’s winners and the nice things their teams had to say about them! Congrats to all the winners!
Madison Blues (Blue) Erika Hansen Her quiet encouragement and comments were welcome to the new players. She is a great teammate in the locker room and on the ice, always willing to help the newer players by providing encouragement and positive feedback. She is the embodiment of a MGHA player, great attitude, and always willing to lend a hand. It has been an absolute pleasure playing on a team with her and getting to know her as a person this season.
Arrrnge (Orange) Chris Swomley Avast!! Our self-appointed pirate flag-bearer, Chris Swomley, makes our time on and off the ice more fun, whether breaking out his dance moves before the puck drops, giving encouragement and constructive feedback to his teammates, or just being a friendly face making the league feel more welcoming and safe. Chris helps anchor this team by playing with consistent energy and skill, giving it his all, and working hard to set up plays and assists for the rest of us. He’s been a real asset to this team and and is definitely MGHA all the way!
Maroony Tunes (Maroon) Molly Costello “For her combination of high speed and skillful play on the ice, and her unflagging positivity and ever-present smile in the locker room and on the bench, the Marooney-Tunes All The Way Award goes to Molly Costello. Molly has been a standout on defense all season, but has excelled not only in preventing opposing scoring opportunities, but also in mentoring less experienced players. On the ice Molly’s consistent and consistently unselfish and inclusive play has benefitted the entire Marooney-Tunes roster. In the locker room Molly is always upbeat and positive, regardless of the result of the game. Through the entire season she’s contributed to keeping the Marooney-Tunes focussed on what’s important about Sunday night – playing hockey with our friends.
Nightfuries (Black) Gene Zadzilka Gene is a great teammate that always encourages everyone and has something positive to say every game! He is great at lifting the spirit of the entire team, consistently throughout the season. Gene spearheaded a lot of team bonding – multiple rounds of shirts, patches, hosting movies, decorating his goalie stick. He’s been supportive of the entire team on and off the ice and he makes each game day fun.
Red Delicious (Red) Paul Weber Paul is the embodiment of positivity, inclusivity, and the MGHA way. He has been a fan of the MGHA for many years, but this is his first year as a player. He gives 110% on and off of the ice. He is always striving to improve his own skills. His team spirit is unmatched. He is always cheering on his teammates with words of support and he constantly leads cheers from the bench. He keeps the attitude fun, positive, and exciting no matter what the score is. You couldn’t ask for a more supportive team mate.
Grayzly Bears (Gray) Greta Landis Greta embodies our Grayt Grayzly spirit and has made incredible progress throughout the year. She has developed her game by putting in extra time outside of Sunday games, asking questions and welcoming feedback by turning it into progress. Regardless of the outcome of a play, an opponent’s tactic, or the score, she elevates the game to a positive place with her supportive words, wide smile, and growing love of the game. She always elevates our team and the game to a positive place, she is the Graytest! She is MGHA All the Way!
Narwhals (Lt Blue) Matthew Dorris The Narwhals are proud to have selected Mathew Dorris for the MGHA All the Way Award. He always has a positive attitude and has a real love for the game. Matthew’s positive attitude has made him a delight to play with, and his dedication is displayed in his perfect game attendance this year – even when he couldn’t skate, he was still present on the bench to cheer and coach. He constantly shows up to games with more energy than anyone else, and you can see and hear that energy in the cheers he leads throughout games. He really does embody what the MGHA is all about. Congratulations Matthew!
Snow Witte and the 14 Dwarves (White) Anna Celaya We think Anna deserves this award for her completely unflappable attitude, grace, and charm. No matter what she is positive on the ice, bench, and in the locker room. She’s a very advanced player, but takes every opportunity for inclusive play with her team. She has made so many plays happen for our newer players and helps give advice whenever needed. She’s decorated many of our team’s awards, making dwarf pucks, and helmet stickers! She’s also incredibly modest and will probably deny that she should even have been considered for this award. It’s been a lot of fun playing with her and everyone in the league benefits from her being in it.
ABBA: Gold (Yellow) Bryan Zaramba Bryan has developed quickly and takes coaching well. He’s always in there fighting for the puck, even when going up against much more experienced players, and never gives up. He is full of insightful questions to broaden his hockey knowledge, as well as to understand how best to play and contribute. He always has compliments for his teammates and is a cheerful and energizing presence on the bench. Best of all, he embraces and embodies the MGHA Way both on and off the ice.
Dancing Greens (Green) Andi Vertz The Dancing Greens have nominated Andi Vertz as our All the Way award winner! Andi laces up their skates each week with enthusiasm and brings a positivity to the locker room that cannot be ignored. Andi has shown week after week they are not afraid to challenge opponents and make a play on the puck. Their hard work was rewarded with their first MGHA goal! Congratulations Andi!!