The OMHA would like to congratulate Rick Thomas, this year's winner of the OMHA Honour Award.

The OMHA Honour Award is a prestigious award presented to a person who has made an outstanding voluntary contribution to minor hockey for a considerable period of time. 

For more than 30 years, Thomas coached and held many different roles with the Parry Sound Minor Hockey Association.

In 1995, Thomas' team became all-Ontario Midget B champions. 

He was a mentor to many and prepared a coaching manual which became a resource for all hockey coaches in the area.

He was known for his ability to change strategies on the fly.

Thomas impacted thousands of kids - A fellow coach says Thomas spent hours in restaurants moving salt and pepper shakers around and designing plays on napkins.

Thomas made quite an impact in the community - even building an outdoor rink on Georgian Bay so the kids could practice their skills.

Thomas is an all-around athlete and twice has been inducted into the Bobby Orr Hall of Fame in 2010 as a Builder and in 2014 and as a member of the 1964 Mactier Legion Fastball Team 

In 1963, Thomas and another Parry Sound boy Bobby Orr were recruited by a team from Mactier (just under 40 kms south of Parry Sound) to play juvenile fastball. Rick Thomas played 1st base and Bobby Orr played shortstop. The coach arranged for a taxi to pick Rick Thomas and Bobby up at the Creamery in Parry Sound and return them to Parry Sound after each game and practice. In 1964, the team went on to win the All Ontario Juvenile C Championship.