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BMHA’s John Jangula named 2017 SHA outstanding volunteer

Jul 25, 2017 | 5:00 PM

John Jangula said he was ‘flabbergasted’ on Saturday night when he found out he was the 2017 recipient of a Saskatchewan Hockey Association (SHA) outstanding volunteer award for his work with the Battlefords Minor Hockey Association (BMHA.)

“I honestly didn’t think I was worthy of that,” Jangula said over the phone on Tuesday. “I was totally humbled by it and am really honoured. I really thank the association here for forwarding my nomination and the SHA for approving it.”

Jangula has been involved with the BMHA for 12 years, serving as the SHA communications director for 10 of those years, and then serving as treasurer for the last two.

He helped dedicate his time long after his kids moved on from minor hockey.

“[I kept volunteering] because I cared about it,” Jangula said. “I think it’s important that we have a really good association to provide as many kids the opportunity to play and develop character as we can.

“I’ve seen what it’s done for a lot of kids and I think it’s important that kids have the opportunity to mingle in a positive atmosphere.”

Jangula sits on the Midget AAA Stars board and the Midget AAA Sharks board as the BMHA Representative.

In 2014, he was also honoured as a Canadian Tire Hero of Play, awarded to local hockey “heroes” at each of the 100 stops on the Century Tour, which was a tour thanking individuals for their hockey efforts during Hockey Canada’s 100th Anniversary.

“John has spent countless hours volunteering for our association, whether it is on the board or at BMHA events and activities,” the BMHA said in their nomination for Jangula earlier this hockey season. “He is well respected by everyone in our hockey community. He offers a wealth of knowledge and is often the “go to guy” for anything hockey. His passion is second to none and he holds a real value to grassroots hockey and the development of all players.

“We feel very lucky and fortunate to have John and it would be our hope that every minor hockey association has someone like John in their communities.”​

Jangula is one of two people to receive the award in 2017.

“We feel it’s important to highlight the work done by volunteers from across this province,” SHA general manager Kelly McClintock said. “People like John work tirelessely and unselfishly to make our game better for those in the community.”

Jangula added this year his role will likely be in a different capacity, but he’s still keen on helping out in some way, shape, or form.

“I’m probably going to be doing something in the next little while,” he said.

 

nathan.kanter@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @NathanKanter11