The John Stansik Association of the Year Award will be given to a Michigan Amateur Hockey Member Association for contributions to the sport and efforts to grow the game.

“We wanted to find a way to remember John Stansik, who was a very influential member of our youth hockey community as a director, a parent and a friend,” said MAHA president George Atkinson. “This award will honor associations working to grow our game – something John did as a passion and as a service to youth hockey for such a long time.”

In 1998, Stansik turned a bowling alley into Plymouth’s Arctic Pond, which led to the creation of the Michigan Nationals, the Ice Dogs and eventually the Victory Honda organization. Stansik’s ownership group also built the Arctic Coliseum in Chelsea and the Arctic Edge in Canton. He was also a founding member and vice president of Hockey Has Heart, a charitable organization with the mission of helping members of the hockey community in need.

The John Stansik Association of the Year will be presented to the association that best exemplifies these qualities and accomplishments:

• Makes outstanding contributions to the growth of the hockey community in Michigan
• Supports MAHA and USA Hockey initiatives, programs and strategies designed to grow the game
• Invests to grow the game and provide more children the opportunity to play hockey in their local area
• Uses/develops creative and effective programs or methods to recruit and retain players at the 8U age category
• Demonstrates a strong commitment to the overall development of its players, emphasizes skill development and teaches the fundamentals of the game

Each year, association will compete to see who is crowned the Association of the Year. The top performing association will be awarded the Association of the Year (John Stansik Award). There are also cash awards for the top three preforming associations.

Given annually at the summer meeting, this award recognizes and individual who contributes significantly to the development of youth players. This is an opportunity to nominate an individual who is one of your associations shinning stars.  A coach who is the player’s favorite by teaching the game as a fun way of making things interesting.  But also, one who exemplifies and teaches the character skills for the player he (she) coaches to live life as a contributing member of society.  

Nominations are due by April 15 each year and are submitted to the Vice President of Coaches. 

At each Summer Meeting, the Lowell McCoy Referee of the Year Award recognizes a referee who has contributed significantly to the development of young officials and excellence in his/her role as a referee.

Nominations are due by April 15 each year and are submitted to the Vice President of Officials. 

Purpose
The purpose of this award is to recognize and motivate young energetic talent to work within an affiliate to grow and improve hockey. 

Overview
This award will be presented annually to "up and coming" leaders within each affiliate. It will be awarded for contributions in growing or improving hockey within the affiliate, or for being a very positive person in performing affiliate activities. 

Criteria 

• The recipient may receive this award only once in his/her lifetime. 
• The recipient must be under age 45 to qualify. 
• There will be one recipient per affiliate and up to two honorable mentions for each affiliate. 
• The candidates are those in leadership positions or active within an affiliate. 
• The candidates are considered part of the future leadership team of an affiliate. 
• Selection & Award Process: 
• The name of a candidate and a short explanation of the activities and/or leadership shown by the candidate should be submitted to the MAHA President by April 15. 

This information will be reviewed by the Executive Director and President of USA Hockey.  In addition, each Affiliate President can submit up to two (2) additional candidates for honorable mention. USA Hockey will confirm the submission of candidates with the Affiliate President on or before May 1. The President of USA Hockey will announce the New Leader Award’s at the annual meeting of USA Hockey. USA Hockey will create a certificate/award to be presented to the candidate by the Affiliate, at an event or function selected by the Affiliate. 

Purpose 
This yearly award is designed to recognize hockey associations that are leaders in the growth, development, and promotion of ice hockey for females. 

Overview 
The award is given annually to one organization In Michigan and each of the other USA Hockey districts, and is chosen by the district under the guidelines established for recognition. 

Criteria 
Associations that are considered for the award should meet all or most of the following criteria: 

• Bylaws and Mission Statement that supports growth and development 
• Parent Education program that is mandated for all levels 
• Fee structure that is economical for the area of the district, and offers alternatives for those less fortunate to play for a reduced or no cost 
• Pays for and supports all Coaches being properly certified through the USA Hockey CEP 
• Offers Learn to Skate, Cross-Ice, Recreational/House league, and Competitive teams wherever enrollment numbers indicate 
• Has a documented practice to game ratio 
• Has established limits on game counts 
• Has established limits on travel distances 
• Supports and promotes all USAH initiatives such as the ADM, Girls Try Hockey For Free, HWAA, WGIHW, SafeSport, etc. 
• Holds community based activities designed to promote the sport and entice players to join their organization. 
• Has established limits on the length of season – reduces overall time commitment for the sport. 
• Offers short term player development opportunities for children to play hockey. 
• Is involved in humanitarian, volunteer, or community based activities that help enhance the public perception of the organization as a contributing member of the local community. 

Selection Process 
Organizations will submit a minimum one-page document listing their compliance to the stated criteria and an explanation of their leadership in girls’/women’s ice hockey to the MAHA Vice President for Girls’/Women’s Hockey. 

Mr. Kellogg was a former outstanding MAHA officer from Port Huron. The Kellogg family has donated a memorial plaque to be given to a member of the Board of Directors for outstanding achievement and dedication to amateur hockey. Each year the members of the Board of Directors vote for whom they wish to merit this honor. Mr. Kellogg was selected the first honored member.

At each Summer Meeting the Wes Danielson Award recognizes an individual who, like Wes, overcomes a major handicap or diversity and continues to participate in or make a major contribution to ice hockey.

At each Summer Meeting, the Carl Schwarz Award is presented to the Immediate Past President.