MANITOULIN—Two long-time contributors to minor hockey on Manitoulin have been bestowed awards by the Manitoulin Minor Hockey Association (MMHA). Jackie White was presented with the Randy Thibault Memorial Award while Greg Lockeyer received the Jack Clark Most Deserving Official Award at the MMHA annual general meeting last week.
In an interesting twist, each nominated the other for their respective awards, a fact each was unaware of.
“I have known Jackie White for many years now, since she stepped up to get involved with being secretary on the MMHA executive,” said Mr. Lockeyer, who nominated Ms. White for the award. “I did not know Jackie before this, however her name did precede her with hearing many wonderful attributes from those in her community of Manitowaning.”
“When Jackie joined Manitoulin Minor Hockey, she did it in a dual role as she often stepped in as the community rep, bringing the concerns and achievements from Manitowaning to the Island table. However, it became obvious when Jackie took on the role as secretary that she was in her element,” said Mr. Lockeyer.
“Jackie’s organizational skills became quite apparent. She was able to put a much-needed grasp on the goings-on of the MMHA executive and help keep everyone informed and accountable,” said Mr. Lockeyer. “While the latter is sometimes a non-forgiving job, it was/is necessary that the MMHA did not fall behind the requirements of the Northern Ontario Hockey Association (NOHA) and/or Hockey Canada.”
“Jackie was able to guide presidents who came along in Manitoulin minor hockey, with providing them the information necessary to get things done and the rationale for its necessity,” said Mr. Lockeyer. “This in itself was not an easy task as leading an association such as Manitoulin Minor Hockey who govern the six individual associations from across the Island, a constant is needed, and Jackie was able to provide this.”
“When looking back though, I believe it was during the COVID pandemic that Jackie’s prowess as an organized person shone through,” continued Mr. Lockeyer. “This was no doubt the most difficult time that we had experienced in our lifetime. Living in general, saw daily changes and requirements, not to mention the thought of trying to continue putting in the work for the opportunity for the youth to take part in a sport they loved.”
Mr. Lockeyer explained, “While the governing bodies of hockey across Canada, Ontario and Northern Ontario did their best to put safety standards in place, Manitoulin Minor Hockey did their best to keep the ice in and the kids playing. The rules set forward did not please everyone. However, Jackie was bound and determined that hockey would be played, even if it meant drastic safety measures had to be put in place and followed.”
“Without a doubt, the MMHA executive did an amazing job to keep the game alive and those of us in the know realize it had much to do with the tenacity of Jackie White,” said Mr. Lockeyer.
“On a personal note, I have come to know Jackie quite well over the past number of years, since her involvement with Manitoulin minor hockey. However, Jackie’s commitment to youth goes well beyond the ice surface. Jackie has taken on the task of organizing a youth ball tournament each of the past two years in Manitowaning, providing another sporting opportunity for community and Island youth,” said Mr. Lockeyer. “Jackie has been a resource for me as I am often in touch with her to get her opinion on how to apply for grants to help improve my community or just a phone call to say, ‘I need help with my computer.’ No matter the request, Jackie is always quick to reply and most often, eager to help,” continued Mr. Lockeyer. “I value the friendship we have developed, and I am very thankful for this wonderful community resource.”
“Jackie White is fully deserving of the Randy Thibault Memorial Award for her outstanding dedication to the hockey playing youth of Manitoulin,” added Mr. Lockeyer.
“It was a complete surprise and honour to find out that my association and Greg (Lockeyer) had nominated me, and I was the recipient of the Randy Thibault Award,” Ms. White said. She has been involved with MMHA for over a decade as well as with Manitowaning Minor Hockey Association. “After much thought I felt it was a good time to give other people the opportunity to help shape hockey on Manitoulin and I have stepped down at both Manitowaning and Manitoulin minor hockey association levels.”
“I have had the absolute pleasure to work with some remarkable people,” said Ms. White. “It was incredible to deal with serious situations and work with individuals who care so much about the players and game and always want to do what is best for them. The people that sat at the Manitoulin MHA table over the past decade deserve so many accolades for showing up, volunteering, often making hard decisions and genuinely caring so much about the youth,” she said.
“There were certainly people I went to for advice on a regular basis,” continued Ms. White. “I won’t name them, but they know who they are. And I would be remiss if I didn’t mention all the help NOHA North Bay gave me, as well as our district rep Mike Bridgeman.”
“Manitowaning MHA was always such a delight to be a part of from the executive to the parents and of course the incredible players,” said Ms. White.
“I can honestly say, every decision I made was about doing what was best for the kids. We truly have the best kids on Manitoulin and they deserve the best hockey we can give them,” added Ms. White.
Mr. Lockeyer was presented with the Jack Clark Most Deserving Official Award. “I was certainly surprised, especially since I didn’t officiate this past year. But I was around to provide ongoing support, watch games, and if anyone asked me for help, I would, or provide suggestions.”
“I was also able to make connections in other communities with officials, for those of the Island officials who are going to school in other areas,” said Mr. Lockeyer.
“When you think of hockey on Manitoulin, a few names come to mind. One of them is Greg Lockeyer,” said Jackie White, who nominated him for this award. “With a history spanning 40 years, he has literally done it all. From coach to referee, to District and MMHA Referee in Chief, to ref assignor to scheduler, to disciplinary committee and perhaps the most important one to MMHA, is our ‘go to’ guy. It is a bit ridiculous if we ever tried to count the times we said, ‘let’s ask Greg.’ Myself personally, I am well into the thousands.”
“Greg coached and was trainer for seven years as his kids went through the divisions,” said Ms. White. “He was the trainer for the Telus Cup winning team in 2008, but being Greg modest as can be, he called himself the ‘chief skate sharpener’ as the portable skate sharpening equipment travelled with the team.”
“Greg has been an on-ice official since he was 13 years old and recently retired but he still gets calls from referees, even this past season,” said Ms. White. “That is roughly 40 years. The knowledge this man has is astounding, but what is more impressive is his delivery of it. Greg is always calm, cool and collected. No matter if he is on or off the ice. We have sat in meetings where people were actually yelling at him, and he remained unflappable and presented his opinion in a respectful and relaxed manner.”
“For Manitoulin hockey, Greg is our go to for any questions about officiating, and at any time of day or night,” said Ms. White. “He was the District Referee in Chief for the (NOHA) for five years and was Manitoulin’s MHA RIC for 10 years.”
“He always presented statistics to show trends, number of games officiated, how many new referees, and how many times they were shadowed by him or one of our other senior referees,” continued Ms. White. “He was available to the executive and all his officiating team and did so much mentoring to the new and young referees. He taught numerous referee clinics for our young officials just starting out.”
Ms. White said, “Parents, coaches and players would breathe a sigh of relief when he skated onto the ice. All our Island officials are amazing but when we know a game may be a bit difficult, we called Greg. Playoffs, we called Greg. We can count on him and know that he is delivering the best officiating that he can.”
“We could not even begin to count the emails, phone calls and text messages all associations send him when we need clarification on something or asking for feedback in a situation. We still ask him to attend the MMHA meetings as he brings so much knowledge to the table and always has insight to help steer us in the right direction,” said Ms. White. “What is truly remarkable is that, after 40 years, he continues to make himself available and always is positive and inspiring about hockey on Manitoulin. Even in some not so happy situations that of course arise in any sport, he looks for the positive and how to improve and move on. Having a key person like that involved in hockey is a rare gem.”
“Truly there is no one in hockey on Manitoulin more dedicated than Greg Lockeyer. Manitoulin MHA knows how fortunate we are to have him and most likely we will continue to abuse that for years to come,” said Ms. White. “Manitoulin MHA is honoured to bestow the Jack Clark Most Deserving Official Award to Greg Lockeyer.
Mr. Lockeyer said, “I miss being on the ice with the guys. Officials are the third line on the ice. But I worked with the NOHA this winter, especially in the area of maltreatment investigations. This is where a player or coach makes discriminatory comments about another player, coach or referee and the NOHA has to investigate. We interview the complainant, talk to the referees, the person accused and witnesses to the incident and fill in a form after our investigation to give our opinion on whether the incident did, or did not occur. Mike Bridgeman is the NOHA Council director.”
“I was actually shocked to win the Jack Clark award,” said Mr. Lockeyer. “But I am still involved on the sidelines as a resource person.”
The Jack Clark Award is presented to an official who has played a key role in the officiating program on Manitoulin Island. This person is someone who has been involved with assigning, instruction, administration and supervising young officials. This person would be someone who would be greatly missed if they were no longer involved.
Jack Clark was instrumental in recruiting officials in Gore Bay as well as being their Referee in Chief. Jack also supervised and trained young officials on and off the ice. Jack is also a great volunteer in the community of Gore Bay.
