The Ontario Minor Hockey Association and Nothers have teamed up for the Volunteer of the Month program – a ‘Rookie’ and a ‘Veteran’ volunteer will be recognized each month through a profile highlighting their involvement in the game of hockey.

We were thrilled to see so many deserving nominations and have highlighted two winners below for November!

The Rookie (2> years) winner for November is Caitlin Auckland of Halton Hills Minor Hockey! Here's her story as told by her nomination:

Caitlin shows exceptional dedication and leadership as our team manager. Caitlin works tirelessly behind the scenes to keep everything organized from managing schedules and communication to coordinating fundraising and events.

She goes above and beyond to make things easier for parents, players, and coaches, always handling every detail with care and positivity. Last season, she even made personalized gifts for each player on her own time, showing just how thoughtful and committed she is.

Caitlin’s hard work, organization, and genuine love for the team create a positive, supportive environment for everyone. Our season runs smoothly because of her, and we’re so grateful for all she does. She truly deserves this recognition.

What do you like most about being a team manager?
I find being a team manager really rewarding because I get to help everything off the ice run smoothly so the kids can focus on playing and having fun. I enjoy organizing the behind-the-scenes details, supporting the coaches, and building a sense of community with the hockey families. It's amazing to see the players grow, gain confidence, and celebrate their accomplishments together, and I am thrilled to get to be a smart part of the team.

What are some of your responsibilities in that role?
As the team manager, I help keep the season organized so the coaches can focus on developing the players. Some of my responsibilities include scheduling exhibition games and tournaments, administrative tasks and budgeting, keeping parents informed and connected, and helping build a positive team environment by organizing team building events.

What is your favourite part about minor hockey?
I love working with kids, so seeing them flourish, on and off the ice, is the best part! Watching their skills grow, their confidence build, their friendships deepen, and their passion for their game get stronger is why I love minor hockey.

The Veteran (2+ years) winner for November is the McGee family of Brighton Minor Hockey! Here's their story as told by their nomination:

Kyle McGee grew up in Brighton and was a proud Brighton Brave. He is now 42, and is still found yearly at the rink. Between he and his wife Christina, along with their son Teegan (and younger son Larkin), this family is always at the rink, always stepping up to keep the association going and ensuring teams have coaches/trainers. Christina is a master fundraising organizer, most recently, organizing efforts to raise funds for a Brighton Bolt boy who was diagnosed with cancer. Christina is also historically the one anyone can hear on the stands cheering on every child on the team. She is very loud and very encouraging and only wants the best for each player. This family is the definition of small town proud hockey and should receive all the recognition (although they would never look for it).

What keeps the family involved in volunteering each year?
Kyle and I have always been involved in volunteering. From a young age it was something I (Christina) always loved to do. Helping with dinners at our local Legion Branch 100, in Brighton with my grandparents, or taking part in community clean ups. I have always had a servant mentality, "service over self". Kyle was always involved in hockey and 4H when he was younger. It was never a question, when our oldest Teagan was born, he would be involved in hockey and the community he lived in. 

We started our hockey parent journey as a Warkworth Bulldog, Kyle was President of the association for a few years. We spent many a night in the arena, or at a fair BBQing burgers and dogs to raise funds for the hockey community.

I (Christina) made sure that Teagan understood, we do this because we care, not because we have to or are made to. Volunteering is not at all for the accolades, the goal is to make someone in the community or the community as a whole a little bit better. 

There is never a reason NOT to volunteer your time. If you are physically able, doing things out of kindness is always the best way to do them.

When our little surprise baby, Larkin came along, he followed and watched his big brother so closely that he had to mimic everything he did. He was always the "rink rat" running around making everyone laugh, but as he grows up he has developed the kindest heart and loves to jump in and help whenever he is needed. His favourite spot to be, when not on the ice, is behind the counter in our local arena's canteen, helping Ms. Tania and Ms. Lorrie.

What are some initiatives you’ve helped out with in the last few seasons?
Most recently, we were humbled by a family in our organization who is facing the toughest battle of their lives. One of our U13 players, Jax was diagnosed with cancer and wouldn't be able to hit the ice this season with his teammates. A group of hockey moms shared the story with the Brighton Minor Hockey Association and we decided that there had to be something we could do. The executive team decided to make sure Jax got a team jersey to wear, and we spoke very quickly of some ideas. Kyle and I went home that night and had a discussion and decided to run a little further with their ideas, and we built off of them. We ran with and organized an home opener weekend event that we named, JAX DAY, and ran a fundraiser all weekend with the support of our community, hockey families, partner centres and businesses in the Brighton area. A two day event allowed us to present Jax and his parents with a cheque for $13,943.00 to help with the cost of their travel, stays, bills. Our family spent over 26 hours in total in the arena that weekend and it was worth every minute.

Teagan was honoured with the Travis Gillespie Scholarship last year. So we were sure to dedicate our time as much as we could to that fundraising initiative. Travis was loved by so many and his legacy of fun is something to be immortalized.

We are gearing up this coming weekend, on Saturday, to host another tournament at our arena for Larkin's U11 team to raise funds for their season and tournaments. Donations from the hockey families and community partners will be available for raffle and a 50/50 table. All the funds raised at this event go back to the team, which with open borders and some conflict with communication from some executive members, has left us with a small but mighty team of 10 skaters and 1 goalie. The size and skill of the team shouldn't mean they do not have the same opportunities as other teams, so these funds will go to team building and tournaments.

There is no tournament that we will not be a part of, because minor hockey is about the kids and teaching them the love of the game and how to build incredible lasting friendships with teammates.

What is your favourite part about minor hockey?
Minor Hockey fosters the learning of a team mentality. We win together, we lose together. If we lose, we learn. These are children, whether they are U5 or U18, they are learning respect, positivity, emotional maturity and stabilization, or at least that's what we want them to learn. Minor Hockey is sometimes the first place kids are given their own voice and taught how to advocate for themselves. If they want to try a position, they have to speak with the coach and ask for the opportunity. Every player learns to play for the same team, the name on the front of the sweater not the back. 

However, the best part of Minor Hockey for us is watching the next generation of aging-out players want to continue on and become the mentors and coaches for the younger ones. This year, I (Christina) with great pride, sit across the ice from my husband Kyle, Head Coach, my youngest son, Larkin #16, and my oldest son, Teagan, Assistant Coach, as they share a bench and it is the coolest thing. Our boys are so far apart in age, but these are the memories they will have, working a bench with their dad, learning from their big brother, as a mom, I couldn't ask for a better seat to the game.

Please use the form below to nominate a Volunteer. Submissions will be kept on file and you do not need to resubmit each month.