The BC Hockey League has announced the Coastal Conference winners of the Kyle Turris Community Award, presented by Rogers together with Shaw.
The award is given to BCHL players who go above and beyond in their community. Each team submits a winner from their organization, along with the reasons they were chosen.
This year’s winners from the Coastal Conference are:
Chase Klassen – Alberni Valley Bulldogs
Klassen embraced his role as team captain, not only on the ice, but more importantly in the community, helping the City of Port Alberni this year with their Parks and Recreation Skating Programs.
“Chase has been a huge part of the growth and development of our Parks and Recreation Hockey and Skating Programs this past season. He showed a great amount of dedication and commitment to the success of the players he coached by always showing up with a smile on his face, ready to share his passion for hockey, even if his team got in late from an away game the night before.”
-Dave Osborne – Recreation Programmer, City of Port Alberni
Bryan Jones – Chilliwack Chiefs
Jones was a leader for the Chiefs both on and off the ice. This past season, he was an assistant coach with the Chilliwack Special Olympics and is beloved by all of the athletes. Jones appeared at every community event or volunteer opportunity during the season. He is the first to say he will be there, always has a smile on his face and takes a vested interest in every person he interacts with. He has even shown up at multiple events that he was not required or scheduled to be at, just to help out.
Mateo Dixon – Coquitlam Express
During his time with the Express, Dixon helped wherever he could in the community, whether it was at minor hockey practices, fundraisers or helping promote various causes and initiatives including the team’s first-ever Diabetes Awareness Night where he helped welcome over 100 families who have diabetes to the game. A Type 1 diabetic himself, after the game, Dixon met with individuals who are living with diabetes and helped raise $2,000 for JDRF and Diabetes Canada.
McCoy Bidewell – Cowichan Valley Capitals
Bidewell is always eager to help in the community, participating in elementary school reading with young students, and he was a leader for them team with his willingness to step up and help. The young players in minor hockey all look up to him.
Joseph Messina – Langley Rivermen
Messina exemplified what it means to be a junior hockey player who is an active member of the Langley community. He was always the first person to sign up for community events, no matter what it was. He was heavily involved in going to elementary schools, which in turn made him a fan favourite during his time in Langley.
Michael Craig – Nanaimo Clippers
Craig, who was Nanaimo’s captain in 2022-23, has been a catalyst in developing and creating a culture within the dressing room that prioritizes the Clippers as a team of community-driven individuals.
“Without community support, hockey wouldn’t be as fun, and we want to make sure that we give back and support the community in every way possible.”
-Michael Craig
Karter McNarland – Powell River Kings
McNarland is one of the most enthusiastic and dedicated young men that has come through the Kings program. Whether it’s helping out with weekly CanSkate sessions, encouraging reading literacy in schools with the Read Program or anything else that comes up, he is the first to volunteer and never shies away from a chance to help out in the community.
Brody Gagno – Surrey Eagles
Gagno has shown a level of commitment to supporting his community like no other. He exemplifies what it means to be a leader and a role model. Gagno is a pillar in his community and continues to inspire and influence those around him.
Devon deVries – Victoria Grizzlies
deVries was a positive role model in the community during his three BCHL seasons, displaying character and leadership within the team and playing with a high expectation of himself. He participated in all community events and always represented the team and league in an upstanding manner.
+++
The winners from the Interior Conference will be announced on Wednesday, July 26.
