Braves hold dinner awards banquet

By Lee Griffi

The golf tournament may have been washed out on an extremely rainy day, but the mood inside the Tavistock Memorial Hall on Saturday evening wasn’t dampened in the least.

The Tavistock Braves’ team brass, volunteers, players and their families gathered for a meal and awards ceremony full of laughs and memories of an incredible playoff run to the Provincial Junior Hockey League’s (PJHL) Schmatlz Cup final series, where they lost to the Fergus Whalers in five games.

“Thank you to all the executive members and volunteers who make this happen. Without you, it wouldn’t be possible,” said general manager Brent Lange. “Another big thank-you to our coaches and our staff.”

The bench staff, made up of head coach Zac Berg, Brody Oliver, Jake Wiffen and Jensen Van Boekel, were named the Doherty Division’s coaches of the year.

Lange looked back on the season, one he said he could have never predicted, after the team saw a seventh-place Doherty Division finish last year and, albeit in seven games, a first-round exit at the hands of the New Hamburg Firebirds.

“We sat back and broke it all down. We knew we weren’t going to let it happen again,” he said.

He also thanked the long list of team sponsors who play an important role in the team’s financial success.

Lange handed out the team awards, including Rookie of the Year honours to Nolan Miller, son of former NHL linesman and Stratford resident Steve Miller. Captain and Tavistock native Marc Dionne was given the Robert H. Zehr Award for outstanding leadership as Lange praised his dedication over his career.

“This amazing young man is another one who wears his heart on his sleeve. He plays any role needed, lays his body on the line, sometimes breaking bones doing it. Shot-blocker, penalty-kill specialist; we will definitely miss this kid after five seasons with the club, but he’s going out a champ,” Lange said.   

The Braves also recognized another local player who spent two seasons as an AP for the team before seeing regular ice time the last two. Nathan Brenneman, whose season was cut short by a serious injury, was given a framed jersey signed by his teammates.

“Unfortunately, this young man’s season was cut short due to a horrific injury,” said an emotional Lange. “He showed up game in and game out after a major surgery with a metal rod installed in his leg. Whether he was in a wheelchair, on crutches or on a cane, he was there for our team. He was even cleared to possibly come back and play at the end of the year.”

Lange added “Tavi boys” are just built differently.

“For his last year, we wanted to do something special and present him with a thank-you gift for his dedication.”

The Braves won’t have many open roster spots available next season as much of the team is expected back, but they do have a spring skate set for June 6 and 7 at the Activa Sportsplex in Kitchener.

Photos by Alec Richard