BATAVIA/Genesee Amateur Hockey Association celebrates with end of year awards

(Provided information/photos)

On April 30th, the Genesee Amateur Hockey Association celebrated the end of the year with an awards ceremony, held at the David McCarthy Memorial Ice Arena.

The Beginners held their year-end Beginner Jamboree on March 18th, and the Mite Division held their year-end celebration on April 22 at St. James Episcopal Church.

Squirt, Pee Wee, Bantam, Midget MOHL and Midgets teams were recognized.

The theme of this year’s event was “Out with the old, in with the New”.

225 members of the GAHA family joined to celebrate the GAHA’s new logo, and new facility name, The David McCarthy Memorial Ice Arena, and new management, Operating Manager- Matt Gray, General Manager- Kati Murray and her rink staff, and the efforts of the “Friends of the Rink”.

GAHA President Dale Hutchins welcomed all of the players and their families, Erik Triftshauser served as Master of Ceremonies for the event. The group enjoyed a catered breakfast served by D & R Depot of LeRoy.

The GAHA graduating seniors were recognized as they leave the Association and move towards their selected futures. Those seniors were: Gino Falleti, Bryce Feldmann, Ronin Hofmaster, Ryan Hamilton, Cooper Hamilton Noah Hudson as well as Alex Johnson.

The highlight of the event was the presentation of the yearly awards handed out by GAHA.

The first award was the Matthew Mondi Memorial Award which was presented to Mite Player Abram Lopez.

The Danny D Tribute Player Award went to Mite Player, Wesley Lasher and Bantam player Justin Gabehart.

The Pam Borden Memorial Award was presented to Bantam player – Alex Wyder

The David McCarthy Leadership Award was presented to Carter Fix.

(These awards are in the form of scholarships toward next year’s fees.)

The Sharon Valyear Dedication Award was presented to Sharon’s granddaughter – Lilly Gray.

The Tom Scott Volunteer of the Year Award which is presented to the GAHA volunteer who has dedicated countless hours to the betterment of the organization and exemplifies the ideals of GAHA as well as USA Hockey. This year’s award was presented to Coach Fred Hamilton who is lovingly referred to as the Pied Piper of all hockey players. Fred has been instrumental in the success of the Beginner Program and many of the other divisions within GAHA and also a huge asset to the USA Hockey Try Hockey for Free event that GAHA hosts twice a year. He has the patience of a saint with all of the little ones with his even falling down on the ice when they take a spill.

There aren’t very many players within the association that haven’t been touched in the heart by Coach Fred in the “Yellow Helmet.”

The afternoon ended with all those present showing their gratitude to all of the Team Coaches, (who did a presentation for their respective teams), Assistant Coaches, Team Managers and also to all of the Association Goalies who play an essential role in each and every game.