Awards and Scholarships

Dan Hamhuis (Smithers, BC) moved to Prince George to play Junior hockey with the Prince George Cougars of the WHL in 1998. Hamhuis spent four (4) seasons with the Cougars and was drafted by the Nashville Predators in 2001, twelfth overall. Dan played his first season in the NHL in 2003-2004 but played his next year in the AHL due to the NHL Lockout. Hamhuis had incredible success on the international stage, competing for Canada nine (9) different times, at the World Junior Championship, World Championship and Winter Olympics. He has won two (2) World Championship gold and an Olympic gold, claimed two (2) World Championship silver and a World Junior silver and bronze. Hamhuis has played over 1,000 NHL games, making him a Silver Stick recipient, the nineteenth player from BC to achieve this milestone.

Doug Lidster (Kamloops, BC) was drafted by the Vancouver Canucks in the seventh round of the 1980 National Hockey League (NHL) Draft. Lidster played 10 seasons in Vancouver, and served as an alternate captain for many years, before being traded to the New York Rangers in 1993. The Rangers beat the Canucks in the Stanley Cup Finals of 1994, the same season Lidster was traded to the team. Lidster was a part of Team Canada on a few separate occasions and won two (2) silver medals at the World Championship. Following his retirement as a player in 1999, he moved to coaching, and has worked as an assistant coach for the Texas Stars of the American Hockey League (AHL), and his former team the Vancouver Canucks. Lidster also helped the national women’s team win Olympic gold in 2010, when he was an assistant coach on the team. Doug Lidster was inducted into the BC Hockey Hall of Fame in 2003.

Cesare Maniago (Trail, BC) learned to play hockey in a town rich with hockey history and played all over before finding a steady job with the Minnesota North Stars. Prior to him joining the North Stars, Maniago played for the Toronto Maple Leafs, Montreal Canadiens and New York Rangers in the NHL. After nine (9) seasons with Minnesota, Maniago moved to Vancouver, where he would play two (2) seasons with the Vancouver Canucks before retiring. Maniago didn’t win any professional championships but won the Allan Cup with the Chatham Maroons in 1960, beating his hometown Smoke Eaters in the finals. Cesare Maniago was inducted into the BC Hockey Hall of Fame in 1995.

Willie Mitchell (Port McNeill, BC) was taken in the eighth round by the New Jersey Devils in 1996 NHL Draft. After two (2) years playing NCAA with Clarkson University, Mitchell bounced between the NHL and the AHL until the 2001-2002 season with the Minnesota Wild. Over the course of his career, Willie played for six (6) NHL teams: The Devils, Minnesota Wild, Dallas Stars, Vancouver Canucks, LA Kings and Florida Panthers. He played 907 games in the NHL and scored 180 points. Mitchell won two (2) Stanley Cups during his time in Los Angeles and won gold at the 2004 World Championship with team Canada. Willie Mitchell was inducted into the BC Hockey Hall of Fame in 2018.

Darcy Rota was born in Vancouver, BC but played minor hockey in Prince George. Rota was a member of the Edmonton Oil Kings of the Western Canada Hockey League (now the Western Hockey League), and twice became WCHL champions with the Oil Kings during his three (3) seasons with the team. Rota was drafted in the first round by the Chicago Blackhawks in 1973 and played five (5) seasons in Chicago before being dealt to the Atlanta Flames during the 1978-1979 campaign. Rota finished his 11-year NHL career with the Vancouver Canucks in 1984, playing a total of 794 NHL games and scoring 495 points. Following his on-ice career, Rota spent 14 years as the owner, general manager, and president for the BCHL’s Coquitlam Express from 2000 to 2014. Darcy Rota was inducted into the BC Hockey Hall of Fame in 2003.

BC Hockey's most prestigious scholarship is awarded based on outstanding achievements both on the ice and in the classroom.

This scholarship is awarded in memory of the late Bruce Allison of Richmond. Allison was BC Hockey’s 26th president. He was instrumental in establishing and pursuing scholarship opportunities for members of BC Hockey and advocated the pursuit of educational goals through hockey excellence.

This scholarship is awarded in memory of the late Jeff Butler who was fatally injured during a Junior A game in September 1985. Jeff was a dedicated young man with rare qualities of character and determination.

This scholarship is awarded in the memory of the late Ted Hargreaves of Nelson who was an integral part of hockey development and coaching. He also combined his passion for hockey with his artistic abilities, illustrating instructional manuals for Hockey Canada. This award was first presented in 2005-2006.

B.F Lorenzetti (BFL) is the insurance provider for Hockey Canada and its Branches. One of their objectives is to assist in the funding of young athletes and officials. In an effort to honor the contributions of long serving BFL colleague and friend Jim Stirling, BFL Canada has decided to change the name of the BFL Canada Risk and Insurance Scholarship program to the Jim Stirling Scholarship Program donated by BFL Canada.

BC Hockey Scholarships are awarded to recognize and enhance the opportunities presented when furthering one’s education. District Scholarships are awarded to players from each of BC Hockey’s eight (8) Districts: Lower Mainland (2), Okanagan (2), Vancouver Island (2), East Kootenay (1), West Kootenay (1), North Central (1), North East/Yukon (1), North West (1)

Hockey Canada Officiating Program (HCOP) Level 2 – 6 Officials are eligible for BC Hockey Officiating Scholarships. Scholarships will be awarded to BC Hockey officials who best combine the qualifications listed on the application form. The Officiating Committee will determine the number and amount of scholarships each season. BC Hockey wants to recognize officials who develop their academic career aspirations, at the same time growing their interest in officiating.