South Central High School Hockey League 

2024 – 2025 Season Awards 

View all the previous winners on our Awards page.

View the All-Star Team Awards page to view the First, Second, Honorable Mention and All-Rookie Award recipients for this year.

Grant Smith Memorial Trophy: (Sportsmanship) 

The Grant Smith Memorial award is presented to the player who best exhibits the combination of hockey talents and sportsmanship, both on and off the ice. 

Cayden Stasienko, Portage Muskies 

Cayden Stasienko was the leader and well respected in the league for his sportsmanship. He played the game with intensity understanding the physical aspect without feeling the need to retaliate, while only having 7 Penalties. 

Wings West Unsung Hero Award: 

This is the 7th year of this $500 scholarship, which is funded by Wings West. 

The award is presented to Senior player whose efforts and accomplishments do not necessary show up on the score sheet, but is the type of player that everyone wants on their line and team. An example would be a player that plays hard, goes hard into the corners to do the dirty work, and doesn’t necessary show up on the score sheet with goals or assists. The recipient must be a graduating senior and planning on attending a two or four year accredited college or university. 

Joey Blondia, Kalamazoo Eagles 

Joey Blondia – A Gull Lake senior Joey lost a year of eligibility when he transferred from Hackett to Gull Lake. Though he lost an entire year of eligibility he attended every practice. His health compounded his participation his junior and senior seasons, however he persevered through to his setbacks to be with his team. He has been a true team player during the three years with the program. Not the most gifted player but someone who has worked and improved every day. His season highlight was being given the start against top ranked Sparta. His outstanding play led the team to a 4-3 win and being named #1 star of the game. He is an academic all-state player and will be attending Hope College to study business and play on the golf team. 

Jimmy Arnold Courage Award: 

The award is named after Jimmy Arnold, a 2004 graduate of Mattawan High School and an excellent 4-year defenseman who was killed in Iraq in 2007. This award is presented to the player who has persevered through an adverse situation on or off the ice, injury, or showed tremendous amounts of courage. This award is available to a player at any grade level. 

This year’s Jimmy Arnold Courage Award goes to. 

Evan Kakabeeke, Portage Muskies 

Evan Kakabeeke had set backs during the hockey season with a back injury and then a concussion. Prior to his injury and then when returning he worked hard every shift setting the example of a hard worker with his work ethic and positive attitude earning the respect of his peers. 

Doc Ed Edwards Referee-in-Chief Scholarship Award 

Is presented by the Kalamazoo Hockey Referees Association. 

The criteria for the selection are based upon overall: 

• Grade Point Average 

• Playing Ability and Sportsmanship 

This year’s award carries a $500 scholarship, which is presented upon acceptance to a college or trade school. 

Evan Kares, Kalamazoo Eagles 

Evan Kares – A Gull Lake senior Evan has been a stalwart at defense for the team. A defensive defenseman with a solid shot from the point Evan was a solid player during his three seasons with the team. During his senior season as a captain Evan incurred only 2 penalty minutes. He is a National Honor Society member, academic all-state, and maintains a 3.977/4.071 gpa. He will attend the University of Michigan in the fall to study Chemistry. 

Matthew S. VanderSalm Memorial Scholarship Award: 

This is the 36th annual scholarship which was established by John and Cathryn VanderSalm in memory of their son Matthew, a 1988 graduate of Gull Lake High School and an excellent 3-year defenseman for the Kalamazoo Eagles. The award is intended to recognize an outstanding senior defenseman who displayed the highest degree of sportsmanship, skill and team play during his high school career. The recipient must play the game with intensity but with intelligence and understands the physical aspect of the game, without feeling the need to retaliate. The recipient must be a graduating senior and planning on attending a two or four year accredited college or university within fifteen months of graduation. 

This award has been increased to a $3,500 scholarship, which is administered by the Kalamazoo Community Foundation (which donations are gratefully accepted and encouraged to continue this great scholarship opportunity). 

Cam Shaffer, Kalamazoo United 

Cam is a Senior Defenseman from Loy Norrix and captain of the Kalamazoo United hockey team. He is a member of the National Honor Society with a 4.19 GPA. He plans on studying Mechanical Engineering at Hope College after pursuing the next level of hockey. He joined the KOHA coaching staff for the last two years teaching and sharing his knowledge with the younger hockey players. 

Jim Groestsema Adult Contribution Award: 

The Jim Groetsema Adult Contribution Award is given annually to recognize the tremendous amount of volunteer work done by an adult supporter. The award was first given to Jim Groetsema by the League for his tireless contributions. 

This year’s the award is being presented to Matt Moorman 

Matt has given his time to play the music at most all of the high school games whether it was a League or Non-League game even if one of his boys were not playing. He spent countless hours developing play lists getting feedback from many of students for the type of music. His efforts contributed to making every game a special event.