S.K.A.T.E. Program & Awards
Welcome to the SKATE (Skaters Keep Achieving Through Education) Program! Endorsed by Minnesota Hockey, this initiative is dedicated to encouraging, supporting, and rewarding youth hockey players who commit themselves to academic excellence.
The SKATE program is open to all Minnesota Hockey players from Squirt through Junior Gold levels, including those in Special Education or other learning programs. To qualify, players must achieve a grade point average of 3.0 during the hockey season. Participants will receive a Certificate of Achievement, along with a small gift, and at ERYHA we recognize our student athletes at an end-of-season banquet.
Join us in celebrating the importance of education and the dedication of our young athletes!
Sportsmanship Awards
As a part of the S.K.A.T.E. banquet each year, ERYHA presents two sportsmanship awards.
John M. Twaddle Memorial Sportsmanship Award
Established 1996
This award is dedicated to the memory of John M. Twaddle. John is fondly remembered for his unwavering positive attitude, his commitment to giving 100% in both games and practices, and his aggressive yet fair play.
In his honor, ERYHA presents this annual award to a Bantam level player and hosts an annual tournament in his name.
Jon McLaughlin Memorial Sportsmanship Award (JM7)
Established 2011
The Jon McLaughlin Memorial Sportsmanship Award (JM7) is presented to a player participating in ERYHA U15, or U12 if ERYHA does not roster a U15 team that season, who best embodies the principles Jon stood for.
Jon taught players and all kids he encountered the value of working hard, playing as a team, winning with grace, losing with dignity, and focusing on self-improvement both on and off the ice. Jon grew up playing Anoka hockey and was devoted to Elk River hockey as an ERYHA parent, coach, former president, and ERHS Blue Line Club president.
Jon's motto was: Play Hard - Have Fun - Make Me Proud.
John M. Twaddle Award Recipients
| YEAR | RECIPIENT |
|---|---|
| 1997 | Thor Shellum |
| 1998 | Tony Rusher |
| 1999 | Buck Thompson (in memory of Sarah Nelson) |
| 2000 | Andy Hasskamp |
| 2001 | Tom Dubovich |
| 2002 | Zach Shaheen |
| 2003 | Andrew Malzahn |
| 2004 | Aren Olson |
| 2005 | Drew Saterdalen |
| 2006 | Tony Nelson |
| 2007 | Ryan Krieger |
| 2008 | Matt Williams |
| 2009 | Adam Watzke |
| 2010 | Tyler Bouten |
| 2011 | Aaron Weeks |
| 2012 | Dylan Bouten |
| 2013 | Michael Fischer |
| 2014 | Kevin Carr |
| 2015 | Daniel (D.J.) Olson |
| 2016 | Nate Gfroerer |
| 2017 | Eli Bicek |
| 2018 | Kai Franke |
| 2019 | Sam Stockman |
| 2020 | Matt Reinert |
| 2021 | Tyler Hill |
| 2022 | Lucas Dahlberg |
| 2023 | Caine Christensen |
| 2024 | Logan Rustad |
| 2025 | Dominic Christensen |
Jon McLaughlin Award Recipients
| YEAR | RECIPIENT |
|---|---|
| 2012 | Drea Westgaard |
| 2013 | Shea McLean |
| 2014 | Abbi Slawson |
| 2015 | Grace Hendrickson |
| 2016 | Samantha Jung |
| 2017 | Harper Westgaard |
| 2018 | Abigail Benson |
| 2019 | Abby Huselid |
| 2020 | Dani Henrichsen |
| 2021 | Emma Boser |
| 2022 | Libby Kubicka |
| 2023 | Kennedy Stanislowski |
| 2024 | Lauren Zacher |
| 2025 | Bethany Raivala |