A pair of Richmond residents were among the major award winners as part of B.C. Hockey’s Annual General Meeting in Sun Peaks.
Longtime Seafair Minor Hockey executive Nigel Shackles was presented the Life Members Award while Phil Grieff was named Coach of the Year.
Shackles has been involved with Seafair Hockey for 13 years. During that span, he has served in a variety of roles, including a division manager, tournament cordinator and Hockey 1-4 cordinator. He became the association’s president for the 2012-13 season and remains in that capacity today.
“Within our association, there is no individual who is more respected or more revered than Nigel,” said longtime Seafair executive Ken Hamaguchi “We all marvel at his commitment to the players/membership, his passion for the game, and the professionalism and integrity in which he conducts himself.
“Nigel’s greatest gift and probably his biggest fault, is his ability to deal with problems. Whether it’s about a parent’s complaint about ‘their kid getting cut,’ a coach’s complaint about not enough practice ice or the treasurer’s concerns about balancing the budget, his ‘door’ is always open to everyone.”
Meanwhile, Grieff was recognized for his outstanding work this past season with the Semiahmoo Minor Hockey’s Pee Wee A1 team. The West Vancouver Police constable guided his squad to a first place finish at the Regina Pee Wee Classic and and a bronze medal at provincial tier one championships.
The Ravens enjoyed all their success with Grieff always rolling his lines despite six first-year players on his team.
