Tyra pix and max black - leadership and sportsman award winner

 Tyra Pix from Valley View had never played competitive Ice Hockey until stepping on to the ice as a part of Team Joey in the Ice Factor Summer Challenge Cup. But the Don Anderson winner felt at home from the first moment the competition started. Even though she was one of the more inexperienced players in the team she showed same characteristics in the competition that has given her recognition in Ice Factor. Tyra was a great team mate to the other inexperienced players in her team and also supported players from the other teams when she saw someone struggling. We are so grateful to have a person like Tyra in our program. Not only has Tyra's determination allowed her to become a good hockey player but Tyra is an absolute champ of a team mate and leader. Although not the most vocal person, when Tyra speaks she gets her message across. However Tyra is more of a leader by example and by showing care to other people. Tyra puts her team mates before her. 

​In 2018 Ice Factor Challenge Cup Tyra won the "Rising Star" award. This is an award given to a player who shows dedication to being not only a good player but also determined to improve themselves in every aspect of their personality. Tyra is the first winner of this award.

Rising Star Tyra Pix with Justine Shaw

Max Black from Hamilton Hornets with Justine Shaw and Ben Thilthorpe

Max Black was the winner of "Spirit of Elias"award in 2017 Ice Factor Summer Challenge Cup. This award is given to the player who demonstrates the values that Ice Hockey and sport can have on people. Elias Nimbona was an always smiling young man who just loved playing ice hockey and being around his team. Max is a great example of these values. Max loves Ice Factor and has been a great influence to the new players, not only in his team, but in the whole program. Max has volunteered to play goalie for any team that has ever needed a goalie and did the same thing in the Challenge Cup: He played several games in the competition against his own team as the opposite team did not have a goalie.

​We have had such a pleasure to work with Max over the last 3 years and Max is a great example of the saying "you can learn from anybody." We are sure that Max has learned a lot from Ice Factor but everyone in Ice Factor will say that they have learned from Max as well. Max reminds us all why we do sports or anything else we love.