Dan Benham, Peewee C Co-Head and Squirt B1 Assistant Coach

Congratulations to Dan Benham, recipient of the 2022-2023 Coach of the Year Award.  Coach Benham was nominated by multiple WHA members for his leadership, knowledge of the game, and his unique ability to help kids improve their hockey skills while having a great time on the ice.  A few comments from his nominations:

“Coach Benham makes everyone on the team feel like they can play at their best every game. He doesn't ever get worked up and always makes it what the game is all about…having fun and playing with your friends.”

“Coach Benham took on the responsibility of coaching two teams this season and being an advisor for the HDC. He did whatever he could to ensure that he was there for both teams, no matter what. Coach Benham is a coach that understands the game and level that these 9-13-year-olds can play. He understands that these players are still learning, and he has patience and grace with them.”

Thank you Coach Benham for your dedication of time, talents, and sense of humor to our kids!

Zach Miller, U10 B1 Head Coach, Peewee B2 Assistant Coach

Congratulations to Zach Miller, U10 B1 Head Coach, recipient of the 2022 - 2023 Coach of the Year Award..  Coach Miller was the head coach for our Girls U10 B1 team and assisted our Peewee B2 team.  Multiple nominations were submitted for Coach Miller, highlighting his dedication to developing each player on the teams he helped coach, as well as his emphasis on team building, character development, and emphasis on sportsmanship.  A few comments from his nominations:

“Zach accepted the challenge of coaching our U10B1 team with no goalie and a player skill set that ranged from first-year skaters to girls who would have been placed on an A team had our numbers allowed it. Each practice, each game, he made sure that the players came first, every single girl found her place and was allowed to shine…He has approached the entire season with class and grace and his leadership has permeated the entire team…”

“Zach's practice plans zoned in on the specific development needs of our team; closing the skill gap on a very diverse group of girls. The girls increase in their hockey skills and their devotion to each other; bonding as a team. The lack of a full time goalie was a big challenge starting off the season; but Zach and his coaching team allowed each girl to continue to try each position, even as a goalie. Some players wanted to try goalie and others that did not, but that was just fine in Coach Zach’s book as long as everyone was having fun!  It wasn’t uncommon to hear that Coach Zach was reviewing past game footage and keeping his own personal stats to help develop the next practice plan. He was committed to having a great season and developing each girl to their best competitive selves.”

The WHA would like to also congratulate these coaches for being nominated for Coach of the Year:  Jorin Baune, John Bottoms, Shawn DeVinny, Clint Fenner, Brooke Nordness, Kelsey Nowak, Cal Rassman, and Chuck Rehfeld.

Thank you to all our coaches for their hard work and dedication to our kids and Association.

Volunteer of the Year Award

Jason Loomis, Outdoor Rink Coordinator

Congratulations to Jason Loomis, WHA 2022-2023 Volunteer of the Year Award Winner.   Our volunteers are critical to the success of our Association and without our volunteers our children would not be able to have the opportunity to play the great sport of hockey in Waconia.  Jason Loomis took on the lead role as our outdoor rink Coordinator.  This past winter has been one of the most challenging winters in memory to set up and maintain an outdoor rink.  Jason recruited a team of volunteers and together they spent countless hours setting up and maintaining our new warming house, our outdoor rink, and a secondary outdoor rink.  From flooding the rink, Zamboning, shoveling, snowblowing…from in the early morning hours to late in the evening…Jason led this dedicated group of parent volunteers to keep our outdoor rink open, allowing our entire community to enjoy skating and playing hockey seven days a week.  

The WHA would also like to thank and congratulate the other nominees for Volunteer of the Year:  Lisa Abernathy, Mike Aug, Cheryl Dore, Kim Funk, Jeanne Kester, Jenifer Peterson, Corey Platt, and Luke Puchner

COACH OF THE YEAR AWARD

The foundation of the Waconia Hockey Association would collapse without dedicated coaches who put fun and development above competition, and who place the emotional and physical well-being ahead of a personal desire to win. These inspiring role models are friends, enthusiastic team leaders and a beacon of fair play and sportsmanship. 

It is with this realization that the Waconia Hockey Association has created the Coach of the Year Award. 

Judging will be based on how the nominee upholds the following: 

• Places the emotional and physical well-being of players ahead of a personal desire to win.
• Treats each player as an individual and understands the range of emotional and physical development for the same age group.
• Does his/her best to provide a safe playing situation for all players.
• Leads by example in demonstrating fair play and sportsmanship.
• Does not cheat or engage in any form of unethical behavior that violates league rules.
• Is knowledgeable of the rules for youth hockey and teaches these rules.
• Uses the coaching techniques appropriate for all of the skills taught. 
• Remembers that he or she is a youth sports coach, and that the game is for kids, not adults.

VOLUNTEER OF THE YEAR AWARD

Volunteers are critical to the success of Waconia Hockey Association now, and into the future.  Whether the individual acts as a volunteer administrator of an event, committee or contributes his or her time and resources in support of our teams, the efforts that are put forth deserve our heartiest gratitude and recognition.

It is for that reason that the Waconia Hockey Association Volunteer of the Year Award was created to recognize those outstanding volunteers whose unselfish and dedicated service to youth hockey and more specifically, the Waconia Hockey Association, has made a significant difference in their community. Nominate someone you admire for their service to Waconia Hockey Association's mission and help us recognize the efforts of hardworking individuals who stand out as an example of exceptional dedication to the WHA families we serve. 

Judging will be based on how the nominee upholds the following: 

• Treats each member as an individual with respect and dignity.
• Leads by example in demonstrating volunteerism.
• Does not cheat or engage in any form of unethical behavior that violates league rules.
• Follows rules as established by the Waconia Hockey Association.
• Remembers that he or she is a youth volunteer, and that the game is for kids, not adults.

AWard Winners

Nominations will be accepted until March 5 via the registration links above.  The award winners will be announced in early April. They will also be recognized with a plaque in their honor at the Waconia Ice Arena.