Whitby boy awarded for clean hockey skills

WHITBY -- Christian Halman has never considered himself an aggressive person in his everyday life and the same applies to his performance on the ice.

The 14-year-old Whitby resident recently walked away with the Owasco Clean Player of the Year award, which is presented to one minor hockey player who exemplifies clean play and sportsmanship.

"I always try to keep my focus and not lose my temper," says Christian, who's been playing hockey since he was four years old.

The annual award, currently in its third year, was established by the Whitby Minor Hockey Association in partnership with Owasco Volkswagen.

"The idea behind it is to recognize and promote the essential spirit of hockey, the sportsmanship that is inherent in the game and, in particular, to celebrate the clean type of play," says Doug Blakely from the Town of Whitby.

Christian's team has only received 44 minutes in penalties, which is the lowest in its division. Christian has 25 goals and 11 assists in regular season games.

The award is comprised of a donation equivalent to the cost of next year's hockey registration. He will also be recognized on a banner hung in Volkswagen Arena 3 at Iroquois Park Sports Centre throughout the season.

Christian's mother Kim says she was impressed by the minor hockey group's goal to push the message of safer hockey, especially in light of recent incidents involving excessive violence in professional hockey.

"It's coming to the forefront with all these athletes, especially in the NHL, and these kids look up to them," says Ms. Halman.

"I think it's something that we definitely have to encourage because the game is getting faster, the kids are bigger and when you get hit, you get hurt."

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