Minor hockey honours Bill Green

The first annual Bill Green Memorial Fall Classic tournament was hosted by the Barry’s Bay and Area Minor Hockey Association (BBAMHA) at the Paul J. Yakabuski Community Centre on October 19-20. An emotional tribute was held at centre ice on Saturday afternoon in memory of Bill Green and his tireless work over many years to aid the cause of minor hockey in the area. Photo above

Rose Shulist, Vice-President of BBAMHA, was joined on the ice by Green’s parents, Jerry and Diane Green, many family members and friends, as well as BBAMHA executives, players, refs and minor hockey supporters. After Maya Stein sang the national anthem, Shulist spoke to the crowd about Green. She said, “On June 9 this past year our community and hockey families rocked with the news of Bill’s sudden passing…. Bill Green was the backbone of all things minor hockey in our community. He started over 20 years ago volunteering as a coach in Barry’s Bay, then Vice-President for our association, then President of our association, then President of the Upper Otawa Valley Minor Hockey League and then most recently as District Chair for our own District 5 Hockey in Eastern Ontario.”

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Rose Shulist Vice-President of Barry’s Bay and Area Minor Hockey remembering Bill Green

She continued, “The amount of time he donated to minor hockey was immeasurable and he did all of this without even having a child involved in minor hockey.  He did this for all of our children so that every child would get the opportunity to play this great sport. If Bill left nothing else behind, I hope that he left us inspired – inspired to do more, inspired to help others, inspired to volunteer even just a little of your time to make the community a better place. We will be putting up a plaque in Bill’s honour in the arena lobby this afternoon…. While I hope it reminds you of all that Bill did for the BBAMHA, I also hope it inspires you every day to get out and do your part.”

Shulist reminded the audience of Green’s enthusiasm, determination and good humour. She complimented Stacey Groves who had stepped in to fill the role of BBAMHA President, saying Green would have been so proud of all that Groves had accomplished in such a short time since his passing.

She said the hockey community in all of Eastern Ontario was shocked by Green’s death and Shulist announced that Hockey Eastern Ontario donated back the BBAMHA fees for this tournament this year to give to a charity in Green’s name. She said, “There was no question that we would donate to his other passion in this area, the Madawaska Valley Association for Community Living, where Bill worked full time. We are honoured to present a cheque in the amount of $500 to his friend and coworker Coralie Dupuis of MVACL.” 

stacey-groves-new-bbamha-pres-photo-sebastian-hudder       coralie-dupuis-rose-shulist-photo-sebastian-hudder

Applause for Stacey Groves new BBAMHA President (at left); Coralie Dupuis accepts cheque on behalf of MVACL from Rose Shulist (photos Sebastian Hudder)

Shulist reminisced about Green and the hockey jerseys: “In one of Bill’s finer moments as President, he had these beautiful yellow jerseys designed so our kids could go anywhere in the province (let’s be honest – the world) unmatched. He was so proud of these jerseys so it seemed only fitting to put his name on the back of one and retire it to the arena’s ceiling.”

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All observe a moment of silence as Bill Green’s jersey is raised to the arena ceiling (photo Sebastian Hudder)

Shulist injected some humour to relieve the tension caused by the solemn ceremony: “Now that that jersey is retired, I’m happy to report we are getting rid of the rest of them.” She went on, “This season our house league has had new jerseys designed and each one of them is adorned with a green BG in a clover on the sleeve as a tribute to the late, great Bill Green. I must say Bill would be tickled pink to have his name plastered everywhere in this arena.” Shulist then delighted Green’s parents by presenting them with their own jerseys.

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Shulist presents Green’s parents, Diane and Jerry, with their new BBAMHA jerseys; and commemorative plaque 

Shulist reserved the most touching honour to the end. She described how each year Green would present a “prestigious award that goes to someone involved in minor hockey that has volunteered their time and made a difference in the Barry’s Bay and Area Minor Hockey Association. We are honoured this year to present the award to someone who has not only made a difference but has left his mark on the BBAMHA for years to come … Mr. Bill Green. Jerry and Diane, we ask that you accept this in his honour.” 

The BBAMHA Vice-President concluded the centre ice tribute by explaining the tournament’s new name: “We planned the final stages of this tournament just before Bill left us, so it only seemed fitting to name the tournament after him so the first annual Bill Green Memorial Fall Classic was born. This is only the beginning and we hope each year it will grow bigger and better and hope all of you will be back for years to come. Thank you to all of our executive members, and coaches and managers of the bantam, peewee and storm teams for putting your hearts into this and helping this tournament off the ground. We hope everyone has fun. That’s all Bill ever wanted.”

 

 

 

 

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