Updated 5/3/23
The New York State Amateur Hockey Association has several awards that are given each year. Below we have descriptions and past award winners from the inception of the awards. Several awards are selected from nominations received and others are selected from applications (scholarships). There are also USAH driven award given in each District.
Peter Rush Award - This award is presented annually since 1989 to an individual who has displayed a selfless long-term dedication and commitment to the growth of youth hockey. The recipient must be from the Section in which the Annual Meeting of the membership is held. For more history and the past winners follow link below.
Tom Korpolinski Award - This award is presented annually since 2000 to an individual who has served at the “grass roots” level within the District and exudes the qualities and level of commitment to the sport that Tom so humbly possessed. For more history and the past winners follow link below.
Bob Allen Scholarships - Each year at the Annual Meeting of the New York State Amateur Hockey Association, the Bob Allen Scholarship is awarded to four High School or Prep School Seniors going on to college. NYSAHA has presented the scholarships in Bob's name since 2000. The scholarships are awarded based on the individuals participation at school, with their community, and involvement in youth sports. Each Scholarship is for $2000 effective 2020, and is given directly to the winners college or trade school upon verification of enrollment. Applications will be posted in early January each year.
Paul Furman State Tournament Award - NYSAHA is privileged to honor Paul Furman with the State Championship Trophy to be awarded to the winner at each competitive level. For more information on the award follow the linkn below. We have also posted the State Champions.
Sandy Irwin Volunteer of the Year Award - Sandy Irwin exemplified the definition, spirit, and intent of the word "volunteer". Throughout her involvement in hockey from the local to the State level she constantly performed acts of kindness, freely giving of her talent, time and effort for the simple pleasure of serving others and making the game better. Sandy did so with complete humility, passion, and compassion. This award will be given yearly to a member of the NYSAHA that strives to demonstrate the same qualities and personal characteristics that Sandy possessed. The award was presented to Sandy's family in 2011 in her honor. To see the award winners follow the link below.
Larry McCauley Association of the Year Award - Larry McCauley was passionate and dedicated to youth hockey, and sports in Alexandria Bay and all of New York State. He was a leading volunteer in the NYSAHA and served as its president for four years. Because of his efforts to support youth at the local level, Larry was recognized by both the NYSAHA and USA Hockey. He was the recipient of the Peter Rush Award, the highest honor given by the NYSAHA, and additional non-hockey awards for promoting youth locally and throughout New York State. In 2005 USA Hockey presented Larry with the Thayer Tutt Award. This yearly honor is considered to be the most prestigious award given by the organization to a volunteer. In 2015 he was also inducted into the NYSAHA Hall of Fame. The Larry McCauley Association of the Year Award is given to a volunteer grass roots Association that has demonstrated the characteristics that defined Larry’s service to the youth of New York. Associations recognized for this honor have displayed integrity, passion, and a dedication to providing and promoting opportunities for all of the youth in the local communities they serve. This award was established in 2022.
Bob O'Connor Coaching Award -The Bob O’Connor District CEP Award is presented annually to a current or past CEP instructor who has demonstrated a commitment to, and made extraordinary contributions to, his or her District Coaching Education Program. This individual has promoted and positively enhanced the USA Hockey Coaching Education Program; and has, by example, demonstrated its values and supported the principles of USA Hockey. This recognition was first awarded in 2016.