JOHN O'KEEFE MEMORIAL AWARD
| The John O'Keefe Memorial Award is presented annually to an individual in the Huron-Perth organization who has provided outstanding volunteer work with Lakers teams and/or the Association. With the permission of the O’Keefe family, it was created to memorialize the late John O’Keefe by celebrating the type of contributions he made as a parent, trainer and manager. John approached his volunteer work with an open heart and an open mind - simply looking for ways to help. He was a strong believer in what the whole Lakers hockey experience provides for young players: the pursuit of excellence in a competitive environment. |
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2011 Award Winner - Hugo Maaskant
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Mackinley O'Keefe (left) and Lakers President Kevin Nicholson (centre) congratulate Hugo Maaskant as he's presented with the award.
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"This year’s deserving recipient of the John O’Keefe award probably doesn’t need much of an introduction to our older teams. He has been involved with the Lakers for many years. He has done any task asked of him, as if it was the most important job to be completed. He has served as a trainer or assistant trainer for five years, had two terms as President, two years as Chair of Hockey Operations and also served a year as past president. I'd also like to mention that the last time he served as president prior to accepting the position he stated at the meeting he would fill the role as long as nobody told his wife. Hugo, you have always been there to help in any possible way... volunteering your time in whatever capacity was needed. Ladies and gentlemen please allow me to present this year's John O’Keefe award to Hugo Maaskant." (April 6, 2011) |
2010 Award Winner - Scott Pettigrew
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Lakers President Kevin Nicholson (left) and Mackinley O'Keefe (centre) as they present the award to Scott Pettigrew.
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"Scott Pettigrew has been a member and supporter of the Lakers for upwards of ten years, starting from when his son Tom played and then continuing on for many years after Tom moved on. Over the years, Scott has been an executive member, a head coach, an assistant coach, a coaching mentor and an emcee of our annual banquet. He has always been there to support and make the Lakers a stronger association and his contributions in many areas of the association are truly appreciated." (March 30, 2010) |
2009 Award Winner - Julie McConnell
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Lakers President Hugo Maaskant with award recipient Julie McConnell as she accepts the award from Mackinley O'Keefe.
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"Julie's approach to volunteering mirrored that of John O'Keefe: volunteering for things not too many other people wanted to do, always putting a lot of effort into the task and doing it well, never drawing attention to themselves, and above all... always leaving people feeling better about themselves. Julie has been on the Lakers Executive for 4 years and has been one of the most reliable, involved volunteers. She has headed up the Lakers Brand Committee (one of the busiest committees) with absolute competence. As well as taking care of all the Lakers Gear, Julie was the main organizer of the Lakers Orientation Days, Lakers Days and year-end banquets and completed this all with great efficiency." (April 8, 2009) |
2008 Award Winner - Dave Dykxhoorn
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The O'Keefe family (Shelley with Kailey, Riley, and Mackinley) along with award winner, Dave Dykxhoorn.
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"Dave Dykxhoorn has been a parent volunteer for most of the twelve year history of the Lakers. He has served in various capacities on team staffs for which his sons Brandon and Brock have played. Dave was also a leader on the Executive for several years and was one of a group who transformed the Huron-Perth Lakers from a loose collection of individual teams into a real organization where uniformly high-caliber programs were offered to every age category from Atom to Midget. To this day, he still has the passion and belief that the players deserve to have a first-class experience while in a Lakers uniform and that many benefits will come to the player and to the organization by maintaining that standard." (April 11, 2008) |
