Awards & Recognition

On December 6, 2014; a tragic accident claimed the life of Joshua (“Josh”) Justice.  Josh was 13 years old, who at the time, was a 1^st year Shaw Meadows Bantam player.

Being a fun kid with a great sense of humour, Josh was always a positive influence in and out of the dressing room.  He could be observed in the dressing room making jokes, dancing to music, and including his teammates in the dressing room fun.  One of his best qualities was his genuine care and concern for others, ensuring all were included in the fun especially those who were quiet or shy.  He encouraged all to participate in the dressing room collectiveness.   On the teams Josh played he was kind, supportive, and encouraging to all of his teammates; and was always quick to complement each of them on their game play.

Once Josh ‘hit the ice’ he tried as hard as or harder than anyone else on the ice.  His accomplishments were based on hard work and determination.  While working extremely hard, he continued to encourage his teammates to ensure they were feeling supported and included.

After practice and before Josh left the ice, he would search out each and every Coach that had been on the ice with him, looked them in the eyes, shake their hands and say, “Thank you”. Josh played for all things positive in Sport….Fun, Friendship and Respect for one another.

The Joshua Justice Memorial Award has been established to both recognize the loss of a wonderful young man who had so much promise and never lost sight of what hockey is about and to also celebrate the recipient of this Award; who will be chosen as a player who also plays for Fun, Friendship & Respect to the sport of hockey and their fellow teammates.

With the merger of Shaw Meadows & Southland Hockey in 2015 the new SW board wanted to continue with recognizing Josh's memory.

Nominations are open in February each season. The letters will be reviewed and selected by the SW Board of Directors in conjunction with the family and the deserving recipient is recognized at the Annual General Meeting.

On November 5, 2018, the Southwest Hockey Association community lost one of its long-time coaches and volunteers, Lloyd Ewenin.

Lloyd coached with Southland and Southwest Hockey Association for many years, and selflessly gave his time, and efforts as a dedicated volunteer.

He shared his knowledge and ability with the players on his teams; with a calmness and enthusiasm that showed his desire to not only teach the players about hockey, but to also guide and support the players so that they could succeed in hockey and to also come away with life skills too.  Lloyd believed that a player was a ‘human being’ first, and a ‘hockey player’ second.

To keep Lloyd's memory alive, the Southwest Hockey Association created the Lloyd Ewenin Memorial Coach of the Year Award in April, 2019.

Every year this award is presented to a SW Coach that exemplifies Lloyd's selfless dedication to his players, passion for the game and an all-round commitment to the game of hockey.  The recipient will receive a keeper plaque and their name added to the Lloyd Ewenin Memorial Coach of the Year plaque that will be kept in the Southwest Hockey trophy cabinet.

Nominations are open in February each season. The letters will be reviewed and selected by the SW Board of Directors and the deserving recipient is recognized at the Annual General Meeting.