As part of our ongoing Awards Series recognizing the individuals who shape the game in our region, the Northern Ontario Hockey Association (NOHA) is proud to share a major highlight from this year’s Annual General Meeting.
The NOHA has officially presented the Angus Campbell Merit Award to Albert Coradini in recognition of his extraordinary contributions to the sport.
Named after the NOHA’s founder, the award is the highest order of merit for off-ice service in Northern Ontario. While the honour requires a minimum of ten years of continuous dedication, Coradini has far exceeded that milestone, marking 25 years of unbroken leadership and service to the hockey community.
To view trhe award ceremony video: Click Here
A Quarter-Century of Impact
Over the past two and a half decades, Coradini’s work has left a lasting imprint on competitive hockey across the North. His tenure is highlighted by several major contributions to the region:
Great North U18 League Commissioner: In his role as Commissioner, Coradini has been the driving force behind the league's operations, establishing a vital, elite competitive platform for the region's top young talent.
The 2008 TELUS Cup Champions: Coradini played a pivotal role in winning the TELUS Cup in 2008 with the Sudbury Nickel Capital Wolves
Retaining Northern Talent: Throughout his 25 years of service, Coradini’s core focus has remained dedicated to keeping Northern Ontario hockey players competing within their home region. His efforts have focused on building local pathways that allow players to develop, thrive, and gain scouting exposure without needing to leave the North.
"The Angus Campbell Merit Award represents a lifetime of behind-the-scenes dedication. It recognizes the individuals who build the framework, advocate for our youth, and ensure the game thrives for the next generation."
The NOHA extends its sincere gratitude to Albert Coradini for his leadership, countless hours on and off the ice, and enduring advocacy for northern players.
To learn more about the NOHA Awards, visit here: NOHA AWARDS | Northern Ontario Hockey Association
When we celebrate success within the Northern Ontario Hockey Association, we usually look to the standings, the banners, or the players moving on. But the true foundation of minor hockey is built by those who dedicate their lives to development, mentorship, and service. They are the leaders who grow the game from the ground up, ensuring every child develops both as an athlete and as a person.
This year, the NOHA is thrilled to present the prestigious Rick F. Albert Memorial Award to Guy Levesque of the Valley East Minor Hockey Association (VEMHA). Established in memory of Rick F. Albert—a legendary Northern Ontario coach, official, and champion of development—this award recognizes an individual who has dedicated a great deal of time, effort, and passion to advancing the game and mentoring young athletes.
To view the awards video from the AGM: Click Here
A Lifelong Dedication to the Game
Guy’s journey with hockey began in Smooth Rock Falls back in 1981, and over the past four decades, his passion has only grown stronger. With more than 30 years of experience as a dedicated coach and trainer, Guy has made an extraordinary impact on the players, families, and fellow coaches within Valley East.
As a proud father who has coached his two boys every step of the way from U7 onward, Guy’s influence extends far beyond his own family. Four years ago, he stepped up to join the VEMHA Board of Directors as the U13 Convenor. In this role, he has consistently demonstrated integrity, fairness, and an unwavering commitment to giving every player and family a voice—always ensuring that the best interests of the kids come first.
Developing Skill, Building Character
What makes Guy the perfect recipient of the Rick F. Albert Memorial Award is his approach to player development. To Guy, developing a hockey player means much more than teaching skating strides or shooting accuracy; it means building character.
Values-First Coaching: He instills the core pillars of the game—teamwork, respect, fair play, and perseverance—ensuring every single player on his roster feels valued and contributes in their own unique way.
Mentoring the Bench: Guy acts as a trusted role model, actively motivating and supporting other local coaches to help them become the best mentors they can be for their own teams.
The Ultimate Community Ambassador: Guy’s pride in VEMHA is unmatched. He goes the extra mile by tracking and cheering on all Valley East teams, even following their out-of-town tournaments online to celebrate their successes and stand behind them through their challenges.
Thank You, Guy!
On behalf of the entire Northern Ontario Hockey Association, we congratulate Guy Levesque on this well-deserved honour. Thank you for the decades you’ve spent behind the bench, the positive hockey culture you’ve built, and the heart you pour into player development every single day.
The players might score the goals, but leaders like you keep the game moving forward.
For more information and the history of the NOHA Awards, please visit our awards page.
As the dust settles on another incredible season, we find ourselves looking back with immense gratitude. A successful season takes a village—coaches, players, parents, and volunteers all play massive roles. But there is one specific group of people who lace up, step out under the pressure, and ensure our game stays fair, safe, and fun: our officials.
To every single on- and off-ice official this year: Thank you.
You are the backbone of our league, and we couldn't do this without your unwavering dedication.
Shining a Spotlight on Our Officials of the Month
This season, we wanted to make sure our officials got the recognition they truly deserve. We opened up nominations to our community, and to say we were "overjoyed" by the response would be an understatement!
Month after month, our inbox was flooded with heartwarming stories, praise, and nominations from coaches, players, and fans. Reading about your professionalism, positioning, mentorship of younger officials, and calm demeanours under pressure was a highlight of our year.
A Special Thank You to Zebras Club
An initiative like this isn't possible without incredible community support. We want to extend a massive, heartfelt thank you to our amazing partners at Zebras Club.
Not only do they keep our officials looking sharp and equipped with top-tier gear, but their generosity also helped us make our end-of-season wrap-up extra special. Thank you, Zebras Club, for your ongoing partnership and for always championing the men and women in stripes!
To all of our Officials of the Month throughout the season: congratulations! You set the gold standard for what it means to be a leader on the ice.
The Grand Prize Draw: And the Winner Is...
To wrap up the season and add a little extra excitement, we decided to put all of our nominated officials into a special grand prize draw. Up for grabs? A premium, highly coveted Zebras Club Skate Bag!
We threw all the names into the hat, gave it a spin, and we are thrilled to announce our grand prize winner:
🎉 Congratulations, Arianne Edmond! 🎉
Arianne, we hope this new gear bag serves you well in the seasons to come. Thank you for your hard work, and congratulations on winning the end-of-season draw!
Looking Ahead
While the whistle has blown on this season, our appreciation for our officiating community never stops. Being an official isn't just about knowing the rulebook inside and out; it’s about managing the game with integrity and passion.
Enjoy the well-deserved off-season, rest up, and we can’t wait to see our wonderful "zebras" back on the ice next season!
Want to join our officiating team next year? Keep an eye on our website for upcoming clinics and registration details later this summer!
