The Jeff Hendricks Memorial Scholarship is one of the Drumheller Dragons’ most revered and special awards, and it was celebrated last Friday night.
Jeff Hendricks was a member of the Drumheller Falcons Junior A Hockey team. In the 1980-1981 season he was fifth in the league for total points and had 29 goals and 60 assists.
His passion for the game carried on where he also served as a coach and scout. The lessons he learned on the ice carried into his private and professional life, as a professional and a father.
“Hockey was full of life lessons he would instill in his daughters and players; teaching players to be accountable to your teammates and building strong relationships on and off the ice. Hockey, according to Jeff, also builds quality character traits: respect, determination, sacrifice, pride. All these traits were a designated measure of one’s heart,” states a profile of Hendricks.
Hendricks passed away in 2006, and a scholarship was established by his family, friends and former teammates. It is awarded annually to a player who has graduated high school and is enrolled in a secondary institution.
For the player to receive this award, they must show a passion and commitment to the game, be respected by teammates and be a leader on and off the ice.
Last Friday, November 6, the Dragons celebrated this legacy by presenting the trophy to the 2014-2015 season recipient Ryan Suchorab. His billet family accepted the award.
The former Dragons captain played three years in Drumheller and is now playing for the University of Calgary and studying Kinesiology.
There was also a silent auction held on this evening to support the scholarship.
To learn more about the scholarship and how to contribute, email the selection committee bruincup@gmail.com.
