Powell rewarded with SaskEnergy Volunteer Champion Award
Swift Current’s Evan Powell stepped out from behind the glass Sunday for some long overdue recognition.
The longtime score clock operator for the Swift Current Home Hardware AAA Midget Legionnaires was rewarded with a SaskEnergy Volunteer Champion Award for 25 years of service to Swift Current Minor Hockey.
Powell was recognized before a game between the Legionnaires and Yorkton Harvest during SaskEnergy Hockey Weekend in Saskatchewan. Mike Rossiter made the presentation on behalf of SaskEnergy.
George Bowditch, Direction of Operation for the Swift Current Minor Hockey Association, helped nominate Powell for the award.
“Each year SaskEnergy, during the Saskatchewan Hockey Weekend that is on right now, they always present awards throughout Saskatchewan for volunteer champions for people that have spent a lot of time basically volunteering, doing everything that they can to Evan Powell (left) was presented with a SaskEnergy Volunteer Champion Award by Mike Rossiter from SaskEnergy. make minor hockey even better,” explained Bowditch.
“They can be anything from parents, young adults to youth, whoever helps out and does a lot of volunteering is eligible.”
Larry Johnson, a longtime coach and volunteer, won the award in Swift Current last year.
“This year Evan Powell was selected due to his countless hours, year after year, running almost all the score clocks in Swift Current,” said Bowditch. “I think if there is anybody that you would ever ask to help show you how to run a score clock, Evan would be the guy to call on. Chances are he would probably stick around and help timekeep the rest of the game. He has done that all his life and does a great job. Swift Current Minor Hockey really appreciates how individuals such as Evan help us out.”
“It was greatly appreciated,” said Powell of the award.
“Putting in over 25 years with the Legionnaires is definitely a long time. But I sure enjoy doing the hockey and seeing the kids come up through the ranks and then seeing the kids play with the Broncos. It was very good.”
Powell is a mainstay on the clock with the Legionnaires, AA Midget Hurri- canes, and Swift Current Broncos and also puts in extra time at tournaments with teams such as the PeeWee Broncos and Bantam Raiders.
“When I first came into town I wanted to do something like that. Back in Abbey I did do goal judging and when I came into town I wanted to start out with the Broncos. I asked Dennis Loeppky how I could get started.
“He said ‘well you can get started by helping me with the Legionnaires.’ So I started with the Legionnaires and moved up as the Legionnaires went on,” he explained.
“I would like to thank Minor Hockey for taking the time to nominate me and for eventually getting me the award, so thank-you very much,” said Powell.
Powell has no plans to slow down despite being rewarded for a lifetime of community service.
“I would definitely like to keep on doing it because I love doing it, love watching hockey, all ages, so I hope to do it until I am six feet under,” he laughed.