Awards
Bruce Kruger Award
In 2006, the JGHSL began the Made it Happen award to recognize the enormous contributions of people who are not coaches, such as association Jr. Gold Directors and tournament directors. These local people work tirelessly behind the scenes to organize, recruit, expand, register, and even “nurse” the teams in their associations.
In 2017, the JGHSL renamed this Award the Bruce Kruger Award after Bruce’s untimely passing. Bruce was a founding father of the JGHSL and remained active as its Treasurer, along with countless other things he did to improve this league before he passed. His dedication, passion, and selfless service created this award.
It is they who have Made it Happen!
| YEAR | NAME | ASSOCIATION/ORGANIZATION/ROLE |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | Rob Larkin | JGSHL Board Member |
| 2023 | Tom Slaird | JGHSL Chair |
| 2022 | Don Strom | D6 JGHSL Representative |
| 2021 | No Award Given | COVID Pandemic |
| 2020 | Jim McGill | District 2 Referee |
| 2019 | Dina Preston | JGHSL Scheduler/Secretary |
| 2018 | Greg Nagan | Past JGHSL President |
| 2018 | Kent Andrusko | Eagan Junior Gold Coordinator |
| 2017 | Bruce Kruger | Past Treasurer |
| 2016 | Jay Halverson | Edina |
| 2015 | Sharon Morgan | Past JGHSL Board |
| 2014 | Chuck Taylor | Blaine |
| 2014 | Jim Helgestad | St. Michael/Albertville |
| 2013 | Amy Schmidt | Wessy’s Boys |
| 2012 | Dennis Green | Past Minnesota Hockey President |
| 2012 | Bob Halvorson | Minnesota Hockey |
| 2012 | Scott Grey | Minnesota Hockey |
| 2011 | Chris Evans | Minnetonka |
| 2010 | Elizabeth Wright | Minnetonka |
| 2009 | Diane Backus | Burnsville |
| 2009 | Woddy Teal | JGHSL Board |
| 2009 | Ken Malmberg | JGHSL Board |
| 2008 | Virginia Orrey | Duluth |
| 2007 | Devie Koval | Edina |
| 2007 | Pat Jackson | White Bear Lake |
| 2007 | John Dando | Wayzata |
Wes Barrette Award
Established in 1997 by the JGHSL to be presented to those who best:
Emulate dedication, integrity, and understanding to the mission of youth hockey.
Knowing that total involvement goes beyond the rink, this award recognizes those characteristics that raise the standards for us all and are the foundation of the wonderful game of hockey.
| YEAR | NAME | ASSOCIATION/ORGANIZATION/ROLE |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | Bill McCarthy | St. Thomas |
| 2023 | Adam Rapp | Duluth |
| 2022 | Mike Patrick | Edina |
| 2021 | No Award Given | COVID Pandemic |
| 2020 | John Markham | JGHSL Board Member |
| 2019 | Dave Aanenson | Minnetonka |
| 2018 | Ryan Anderson | St. Louis Park |
| 2017 | Mike Wasko | Stillwater |
| 2016 | Pete DeMaio | Rosemount |
| 2015 | Scott Orrey | Lakeville |
| 2014 | Tom Slaird | Past Chair |
| 2014 | Drew Sternal | Wessy’s Boys |
| 2013 | Pat Anderson | White Bear Lake |
| 2012 | Pat Donahue | Centennial |
| 2012 | Dave Callicott | Buffalo |
| 2011 | Tim Olson | Wayzata |
| 2011 | Pat Manteuffel | North St. Paul |
| 2010 | Jeff Stenbeck | Jefferson |
| 2010 | Craig Swanson | Mounds View |
| 2009 | Rick Barnes | Edina |
| 2009 | Randy Schmidt | Wessy's Boys |
| 2008 | Butch Orrey | Duluth |
| 2007 | Al Carstensen | Hastings |
| 2006 | Terry Greene | White Bear Lake |
| 2006 | Randy Nielsen | Wessy’s Boys |
| 2005 | Brian Backus | Burnsville |
| 2005 | Ted Olson | Wayzata |
| 2004 | Marc Dornfeld | White Bear Lake |
| 2004 | Tom Wright | Minnetonka |
| 2003 | Steve Cheney | District 3 |
| 2003 | Doug Andreen | Bloomington |
| 2002 | Ralph Hayne | White Bear Lake |
| 2001 | Tom Johnson | White Bear Lake |
| 2000 | John Lawson | Anoka |
| 2000 | Steve Pearson | Edina |
| 1999 | Mallard Teal | White Bear Lake |
| 1998 | Woody Teal | Roseville |
| 1997 | Wes Barrette | Twin Cities |
| 1997 | Bill Smith | Edina |