CARHA Hockey HALL OF FAME
Since its inception in 1975, CARHA Hockey has had the opportunity to collaborate with individuals and hockey related groups that exemplify the organization's specific goals and objectives. As such, these individuals and/or groups have been inducted into the prestigious CARHA Hockey Hall of Fame (formally the COHA Hall of Fame). Those who have already been selected into the Hall of Fame have set a high standard of commitment, dedication, and sportsmanship that the association continuously endeavours to maintain.
Nomination Process and Categories
Every community, league, and team has at least one individual who deserves to be nominated for the CARHA Hockey Hall of Fame. These individuals are easy to identify as they have made a personal commitment to adult recreational hockey as a builder, a player, a friend, a member of the media, or perhaps an entire team deserves recognition.
If you know someone who is deserving of this honour, please forward your nomination to the CARHA Hockey National Office. The Board of Management selects the final recipients, ensuring that the selection process is fair. What better way to say "thank you" to someone who really cares about hockey.
Six categories are now available to potential inductees:
- Player Category
- Team Category
- Builder Category
- Media Category
- John Sergnese (Friends of CARHA Hockey) Category
- International Friends Category
Inductees and Processes:
Player Category
Due to the fact that CARHA Hockey's programs promote participation, fitness, and sportsmanship, points of excellence and past hockey experience are of minimal use in the criteria for selection to the Player Category. The most important points for consideration are the individual's commitment to the association's success and a true appreciation for the enjoyment of the game. Highlights of continuance in the dedication to the team, individual team players, and their community are critical consideration factors.
Nomination Procedure
The player nominated must be a member in good standing with CARHA Hockey. The submission should clearly highlight the reasons why the Board of Management should consider the nomination, preferably in point form. Understandably, the nomination carries more weight when accompanied by additional support documents. Suggestions for support letters include those from other teams, community associations, teammates, and friends.
Team Category
Throughout the association there are many teams who have earned the right to be honoured through their induction to CARHA Hockey's Hockey Hall of Fame. To date, only seven teams have received this highest form of recognition by their peers. Although many teams may deserve this acknowledgment, it takes a special effort from someone to put this type of nomination together.
Nomination Procedure
A team nominated in this area must be a member in good standing with the association for a sufficient number of years. By their commitment to CARHA Hockey's philosophy regarding the game, they will have established a reputation as a fun team to be a part of and to play against. The team's ability to play the game is not used as a critical point in the selection process. Areas that assist with the decision of the Board of Directors are the team's activities in support of community charities and projects, and the team's continuing efforts to promote the development of the game and to increase membership in the CARHA Hockey. It is extremely important that a nomination in this category be accompanied by detailed and adequate documents of support.
Builder Category
The Builder Category has the largest number of honoured members in CARHA Hockey's Hockey Hall of Fame, with 30 inductees. This figure is understandable when we consider the amount of work and dedication required of individuals to build the association from infancy to the strong national organization it is today. Also, the strong promoters and leaders of our hockey programs are easily identified. Their stories of commitment are quickly attested to, requiring less work to document and submit, but their necessity to the success of the association is extremely important.
Nomination Procedure
The candidates for induction in this category come from every facet of our game, including players, team representatives, league executive, team/club executive, tournament committee members, sponsors, referees, CARHA Hockey Board of Management, CARHA Hockey employees, and others. The submissions for inductees will emphasize the individual strengths in their respective area of expertise and commitment-specifically directed at how these efforts enhance the growth and development of the association and its hockey programs. Once again, appreciating that the selection committee may not know the candidate, the nomination package must contain sufficient documentation to allow for a fair and informed decisions.
Media Category
Every national organization, and in particular the CARHA Hockey, as a registered nonprofit charity, is most thankful when an individual from the media supports or promotes our programs. While there are few inductees in this category, we should be aware that when warranted, there is an avenue to properly show appreciation to persons from the media. The members may submit a nomination in this area when the coverage was local instead of national.
Nomination Process
The written nominations in this area must be very detailed to assure that the selection committee can adequately weigh the impact of the coverage and assistance provided from the media person. The nomination should also include copies of the coverage provided.
John Sergnese (Friends of CARHA Hockey)
The Friends of CARHA Hockey Category was established as a category in the Hall of Fame to recognize people who, although not members of the association, joined us by dedicating time and effort in the successful production of our programs. The category has been renamed to pay special tribute to a past board chairman, the late John Sergnese. John, who resided in Port Colborne, Ontario, truly exemplified a gentleman and as a hockey person, perfection as a role model whom everyone in our game should imitate. Although small in stature, John had a heart big enough to carry him to the ranks of semiprofessional hockey and to the top of our world as an executive member. It will be John's wonderful approach to life, to people, and to the game that will be used as the guide for the selection process in this category.
Nomination Procedure
As the description suggests, the nominees for selection into this category of the Hall of Fame are very carefully scrutinized to assure that the highest level of credibility for inductees is maintained. There are many friends of our hockey programs who go all the way to assist in promoting and working with us to give recreation hockey in Canada the best service possible. The nominee induction material prepared on your recommended candidate must leave no doubt with the selection committee that this person is deserving of this honour.
International Friends
Throughout the CARHA Hockey World Cup events and other out-of-country tournaments operated by CARHA Hockey, the association has received the assistance and friendship of many people from other countries. There are also other people who, through tournaments or organized hockey programs, have done a lot of work to promote recreational hockey.
Nomination Process
The CARHA Hockey Board of Management normally submits nominations for recognition of individuals in this category for consideration. However, any member with a suggestion for consideration is requested to contact the national office, and the Board of Management will be notified of the potential nominee.
Submit a Nomination
All CARHA Hockey Hall of Fame nominations are reviewed and considered by the Board of Management at the Annual General Meeting, which is held every September. To submit nominations, please choose one of the following options:
Mail:
CARHA Hockey
Suite 610, 1420 Blair Place
Ottawa, ON
K1J 9L8
Fax: 1-866-345-1975 – Attention Scott Wilson
Email: E-mail nominations to: swilson@carhahockey.ca
Thank you for helping us honour those who are truly dedicated to the sport of adult recreational hockey!
Most Recent Inductee
Milos Sluga, Slovenia – 2008 - International Friends Category
Over the years, Milos Sluga has been a dedicated and valued friend of CARHA Hockey. He has consistently gone above and beyond to assist the organization in its attempts to liaison internationally with other hockey associations in countries all across Europe. Furthermore, he has actively participated in each of the four CARHA Hockey World Cup events, including the most recent tournament in Québec City, QC (March 30 – April 6, 2008). Milos brought two teams to the 2008 edition of the CARHA Hockey World Cup as well as lent a hand in the organization’s endeavor to further develop its camaraderie and collaborations with hockey participants over seas. It is for this reason, that Milos Sluga was selected as the most recent inductee into the CARHA Hockey Hall of Fame.
On behalf of CARHA Hockey, thank you for all that you have done Milos.