The Winkler Flyers handed out some hardware and said a sad but respectful goodbye to their 20-year-old's that will be graduating the program during their awards banquet on Wednesday night.
Head Coach Matt Melo says it was a mix of emotions throughout the event. "It's always an emotional night, but a really good night to celebrate all the work that our players and our staff put in. It was a really good season that didn't go the way we wanted in the playoffs, we're an organization that pursues championships, but ultimately, there was a ton of success in terms of winning the regular season and in terms of individual stories that came out of the year. What I'm most proud of about our group is our guys carried on the legacy of the organization where people want to come and be a Winkler Flyer. We just had a great group of guys who were really good men. It was an honour to celebrate them and all the efforts that they've put in. It was a great last wrap up for us."
It's always hard to say goodbye and Melo says this year was no exception as the Flyers will be losing some very important players and people. "I feel so privileged to have stepped into this group, as a new coach in this organization. Once I got here, I quickly recognized the leadership, the experience, the massive presence of the eight guys that will be graduating here. For me, it was really cool to see in a landscape that's changing where it's so easy for people to jump to new opportunities in different locations, we had eight guys committed to the Winkler Flyers organization, that wanted to be here. Seven in particular that came back after winning the championship last season and the eighth that chose this organization when he had a lot of suitors, he wanted to be a part of what we're doing here. I'm so proud of the guys. When you commit as long as you have to the organization, like a Brody Beauchemin or Nicholas McKee, you invest a lot into the culture, the organization, the community, and one through eight, just so proud of who these men are, how they've fit into the community, how they are with kids and people. They're going to leave a huge hole and they left this place better than when they arrived."
When it comes to the future, Melo says there will time to focus on that, but for now, he's in the moment. "I think for us, we'll probably allow things to settle here a little bit. We're just wrapping up the end of the year and there's a lot of moving parts still. Once guys get home and get into their offseason a little bit, you find out more detail on what next year could look like or how it could take shape. Ultimately, there is still some uncertainty with us wrapping up the year. I've mentioned this previously, our guys love being Winkler Flyers, they love playing in this community and we're really excited about the returning core we're going to have. Obviously, a significant number or our 20-year-olds were defenseman, so there will be opportunity on the backend. We're excited about who's returning up front and in the net. We're also excited about individuals who have expressed or made commitments to that will be joining our group. That's the kind of culture that we want and want to maintain here, our desire is to win every year and that will be the goal again heading into this offseason."
Having the community behind them all season meant a lot to Melo and the players. "This community, words can't do justice to just how special it is," Melo says proudly. "Getting to be a part of Winkler, it's a community that invests, wants to lend a hand in any way possible, a passionate fans base that will give everything to the program. A lot of incredible people that love the Flyers. We all feel so privileged to coach or be a part of the Flyers. I know our guys, it can be hard for young men to understand the value of community, but our guys really get it and appreciate. We're so thankful for how the community supports and helps build into these young men. This is truly the best hockey community around, in Canada, we really feel that strongly."
The MJHL's reigning Coach of the Year will be back with Winkler next season and he'll be coming in a little more comfortable than last year when he arrived in Winkler late, but he's already looking forward to next year. "I know for myself, there's a ton of opportunity for growth in how I manage and the coaching side of things. There are so many good people that allowed me to settle into year one and to have the opportunity to plan, feel comfortable and confident. Even just learning about the league, the community and building relationships, it's going to be massive for myself and our group this next year. I'm really excited to have the offseason to do all those things, have a diligent plan for next year and I think it's going to make a real difference. It's going to allow us to hit the ground running and to be super effective with what we do here. I'm looking forward to the offseason, it'll be good to get some rest but I'm really looking forward to getting back next year, I'm not happy with how things ended here and we're ready to commit to contend again next season."
Winkler Flyers Awards and Winners
Rookie of the Year - Max Lavoie
Most Improved - Nicholas McKee
Community Commitment Award - Isiah Peters
Leadership and Perseverance Award - Isaac Deveau
Top Defenseman - Isiah Peters
Top Forward - Jayce Legaarden and Brody Beauchemin
Team MVP - Liam Ernst