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Coaches in contention for prize money through Kraft Canada

Two outstanding Langley minor hockey coaches make final nominee list for nation-wide contest

A pair of Langley hockey coaches could land a lot of money for the local hockey association.

Steve Clauzel and Kevin Taylor are among the 100 finalists of the Kraft Hockey Goes On contest.

Each are coaches for both the Langley Minor Hockey Association and the Langley Girls Ice Hockey Association.

Kraft Hockey has $1 million in prize money for local minor hockey associations across Canada.

The money will be split among five grand prize winners, who will earn $100,000 apiece for their respective hockey association, and a total of 20 second prize winners, who will earn $20,000 apiece.

The other $100,000 will go to Hockey Canada to distribute to Learn to Skate programs at the local level.

“Through our many years of involvement in community hockey, we realize there are countless unrecognized hockey volunteers and it’s because of them that our favourite sport goes on,” said Jack Hewitt, vice-president of marketing insight and services for  Kraft Canada.

“There are over four million volunteers who dedicate themselves to ensure the game is played from coast to coast. This year, we’re celebrating these heroes of the game.”

“He spends every waking moment and all his free time coaching kids,” wrote Jesse Fryer in Taylor’s nominating letter.

“This may sound like an easy task, but I assure you it is not.

“I have watched him sacrifice his entire life for the benefit of these kids, and he wouldn’t have it any other way.”

“I listen to the parents talk about him during the games, and they rant and rave about his level of dedication, patience and love of the game,” the letter says.

“His energy on the ice is contagious with the kids, and he’s able to bring out the best in his players game after game.”

“With a constant smile and ever changing ways to inspire the boys in drills, Coach Steve had made a massive difference in the ability and confidence of every single team members,” wrote Bernadette Matthew in the nominating letter.

“Coach Steve’s leadership and dedication (are) not only bringing hockey to our kids, but inspiring our community, our team, to connect through the game of hockey.”

The letter thanks Clauzel for bringing the best out in the players and calls him an inspiration.

Online voting at www.krafthockeygoeson.ca begins Saturday (March 23) at 6 a.m. and wrapping up on Sunday.

The LMHA is setting up voting stations at the George Preston Recreation Centre over the weekend.

The finalists will be announced April 3.