Drumheller Dragons | DrumhellerMail

Jeff Hendricks Scholarship continues to support young hockey players

   One of the most prestigious awards for the Drumheller Dragons is the Jeff Hendricks Memorial Scholarship, which has supported young people in the community with approximately $23,000.
   The scholarship was founded in 2006. Its primary goal is to provide a scholarship of $1,500 to a deserving Drumheller Dragon. On November 6, the Dragons held their annual Jeff Hendricks Memorial Game to honour the man, and to raise awareness and funds for the program.
   Hendricks played for the 1980-1981 Drumheller Junior A Falcons. In that season, he was fifth in the league for points with 29 goals and 60 assists.
   His passion for the game continued long after his tenure with the Falcons and he also coached and scouted. He passed away in 2006.
   To receive this award, a player must show a real passion and commitment to the game of hockey. The winner must be respected by his teammates and be a leader on and off the ice. Most of all, the recipient of this award must possess a love for his teammates and a willingness to do anything for them.
   Beyond the Dragons scholarship, each year it funds a young player that attends the Dragons hockey school. It also provided a scholarship for Christina Hodgson who excelled on the ice as part of the Mount Royal Cougars.
   Last season Connor Boyd was the recipient of the Jeff Hendricks Memorial Scholarship.

Drumheller has a new Dragon

Evgeni Astrouski or as most call him, Gino, has joined Drumheller’s junior A hockey team, the Dragons, for the 2016/2017 season.

Gino came from Belarus when he was 15 years old with his mom and dad. They came for Gino to be able to play hockey in Canada. When Gino first moved to Canada two years ago, they lived in Edmonton and he played Midget AAA for Southside Athletic Club in Edmonton until he was drafted onto the Prince Albert Raiders at the end of last season. Gino told the mail that he has only been in Drumheller two weeks.

Gino said, “Canadian hockey is very different than European hockey. It is much faster here and more physical. Because it’s a more fast paced game you have to make faster decisions on the ice.”

Gino’s parents have gone back to Belarus now that Gino is with the Dragons but Gino said he doesn’t have any intentions of going back to live in Belarus.

Gino said, “I don’t plan on going back to European hockey. I came to Canada to play Canadian hockey.”

Dragons earn four points on northern road trip

Dragons

   The Drumheller improved to .500 and is climbing in the Viterra AJHL South after a successful northern road trip.
   The Dragons had a busy weekend commencing Friday night in Grande Prairie versus the Storm.
   Jordan Taupert scored in the first, but ended the period down 2-1. They were able to tie it at 3:21 into the second period when Brayden Nicholetts scored, and then Slater Dykema took the lead for the Dragons. Evan Tschumi added one more in the third to take their first win of the weekend, 4-2.
   The Dragons were back on the ice the next night versus the Drayton Valley Thunder. The first period ended with a tie at one, with Evan Rochowiak scoring. The Dragons took the lead midway through the third period thanks to Blake Kleiner, but the Thunder was able to force overtime. Just 15 seconds in, Bradley Stonnell scored the winner unassisted to make it 3-2.
   The Dragons ended the weekend Sunday afternoon taking on the Whitecourt Wolverines, unfortunately, they were not able to score, and fell 4-0
   The Dragons are back on home ice this Friday, October 28, the host the Canmore Kodiaks, and then on Saturday face the Calgary Mustangs at the Drumheller Memorial Arena.

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