Hockey player-of-the-month for February MacMartin impresses with attitude, willingness to learn

By Laureen Sweeney

Finlay MacMartin, 13, a forward for Westmount’s M13 B “Wings” hockey team, has been chosen by his coaches as the city’s player-of-themonth for February. Announced last week by Andrew Maislin, operations manager for the Westmount recreation centre (WRC), Finlay was cited, he said, “in a very moving explanation” from coach André Brosseau for efforts to improve his skills and focus on helping his team. “As a young player,” according to Brossard, Finlay “quickly impressed us by his attitude and willingness to learn. During our first game and on every shift, he would insist on knowing what else he could do better to improve his skills. I thought it was a refreshing attitude for a young player to realize that he still had things to improve on.” As the season progressed, Brossard explained, “this attitude evolved as well from focussing on his skills to focussing on the team’s and learning how he could contribute more. Our focus with him was to teach him how to have a positive attitude on and off the ice and learn the principles of teamwork.” Burgeoning leader While this is Finlay’s second season with the Wings, he is reported to have participated for several years in the recreation department’s program. To – day, said Brossard, Finlay “has become a stronger player and more importantly as a burgeoning leader ready to move forward and access stronger levels.” “Each month, the city’s hockey coaches are asked to nominate a player from their respective teams as playerof-the-month,” Maislin explained. In this case, the nomination of Finlay also came from the team’s other coaches Marcel Behr, Nicholas Shinder and Michael Mossop. “Congratulations to Finlay,” he said. “I would like to encourage all players in Westmount Minor Hockey to keep up the good work. Playoffs are right around the corner, starting March 13. Finlay MacMartin. Photo courtesy of Westmount Sports and Recreation. ‘Go Wings go!’

Mizrahi: January’s hockey player of the month Team captain cited as ‘go-to guy to get stuff done’

By Laureen Sweeney

“The Westmount Minor Hockey Association is proud to announce Aiden Mizrahi, 17, as the player of the month for January 2023,” Andrew Maislin said last week. According to Maislin, operations manager for the Westmount recreation centre (WRC), Aiden is being recognized for his leadership and dedication. He is also an assistant coach for the M15-A Wings team and is cited for his “maturity, drive and dedication to Westmount every time he is in the dressing room, on the ice or assisting with practices at other levels,” Maislin explained. “Aiden most certainly goes above and beyond as team captain, he takes care of the team Snapchat group to keep in touch and the team’s schedule website,” Maislin said. “Daniel Fox, head coach for many years of the M18-A team, has time and time again mentioned to me that Aiden is a leader and his number one go-to guy to get stuff done.” Aiden began his hockey career in Westmount’s M9 program (formerly Novice) back in 2013 and did two years in the house program before graduating to the competitive (inter-city) program in 2015. He presented himself well prepared, ready to go with drills. “He has not looked back since.” Having stepped in for a few games this year as coach when the other volunteer coaches could not make it, Maislin said he knows first hand that he can “always rely on Aiden to help with clinics, evaluations or other teams.” He is now “excited” to see Aiden’s next adventure as he graduates from the youth league this season

‘Great listener, team player’: Maislin
Cohen named player of the month for December

By Laureen Sweeney

The city’s hockey player of the month for December for the Westmount Minor Hockey Association is Nate Cohen, described as a “team player through and through” by Andrew Maislin, operations manager for the Westmount recreation centre. In announcing the choice last week, he said that 8-year-old Nate, who plays for the M9-1 Wings team, is “one of the new breed of hockey players who are starting out in Westmount: eager to learn, grow and develop as a player, teammate and leader.” He arrives early, with a big smile on his face and brings a lot of energy in the locker room and on the ice, Maislin explained, add ing that he can be seen in practices wanting to improve his game, willing to listen and work hard without complaining. “He is the ideal hockey player who will do what the coaches ask of him.” Maislin told the Independent that Dominic Plante, coach of the M9-1 and M13-A teams described Nate as having “a great personality and it is fun coaching him.” The recognition program was launched in 2019, not only to highlight the contributions of players, but also to acknowledge the opportunities and skills that minor hockey, and sports as a whole, can offer young people, Maislin explained at the time.

City’s player of the month for November Baer recognized for ‘progress, hard work’ in hockey

By Laureen Sweeney

Henry Baer, 12, has been named Westmount’s player of the month for November by the Westmount Minor Hockey Association. Playing on the city’s M13A (under age 13) team, Henry started his hockey career with Westmount at age 5 in the M7 program.“He has developed into a fantastic player,” said Andrew Maislin, operations manager at the Westmount recreation centre. In announcing the recognition, he said: “Seeing him progress the way he has over the year is amazing.” Henry was nominated by his coaches “based on his hard work, strong offence, defensive game and demonstration of leadership,” Maislin explained. “I noted during the evaluations back in September that he is stronger, faster and more aware of what is going on on the ice. During the drills, he would turn on his ‘beast mode’
and just take off.” Although the team is struggling this year against very strong adversaries, he added that “owing to strong coaching leadership and player dedication,” the team had improved “tremendously” over the course of the first half of the season. “I look forward to seeing where they end up in March.” Having Henry part of the minor hockey organization “is not only a moment of proudness but also a testament to the dedication of our families and players within our community to play sports.

Sports & Rec introduces ‘honorable mentions’

Nadler becomes city’s player of month as first-time goalie

By Laureen Sweeney

Nine-year-old Nixon Nadler has earned the distinction of becoming the city’s player-of-the-month for October, the first of the players chosen for the 2022-2023 season. The Westmount Minor Hockey Association also gave one player in each of its 10 teams an honourable mention. Nixon is being recognized for exemplary leadership, respect, eagerness and enthusiasm in answering the call to strap on the goalie pads this fall having never done so before “to ensure that his team has a goalie for the season,” according to Andrew Maislin, operations manager for the Westmount recreation centre (WRC). “So many associations are desperate for goalies as it is by far the hardest position on a hockey team,” Maislin added. “Nixon, who is part of the M11 B Wings team, has shown exemplary willingness to advance his career as goalie.” He is described as being on the ice six or seven times a week after stepping up to fill the net after the team’s original goalie was injured and unable to play for the sea-son. “It is truly unbelievable to see his progress as a goalie.”

The association is honoured to have young boys and girls who are willing to try a new position, Maislin explained. “Goalies need to be very quick, athletic and have great hands. They also need to be smart, brave and tough for this position, and Nixon shows all those.” He also received honorable mention recognitions for his role on both the M11 A and M11 B teams for which he played. He and others named this week as a new component of the recognition program launched on the association’s website can also be found at www.ahmw.org. The four M9 teams do not have any HM picks as they have not started their season yet. They are expected to appear in November.

Honorable Mentions named This month’s are:

Stella West (M11 all-girls team)

Nixon Nadler (for both of the M11 A and M11 B teams he played for)

William Nesbitt (M13 A)

Sophie Du (M13 B)

Spencer Kaplan (M15 A)

Seokhyun Kwon (M15 B)

Ray Lawson (M18 A)

The registration period for sports and recreation activities for the 2022 fall season starts on August 2nd, 2022 for Westmount residents and August 30 for non-residents.

For more information on registration procedures and the various activities offered by the Westmount Sports and Recreation Department, please consult the Fall 2022 Activity Guide.

Registration begins Tuesday, August 2nd

• online at westmount.org/onlineregistration as of 8 a.m.
• in person at the Westmount Recreation Centre, 4675 Ste-Catherine Street, as of 8:30 a.m.

Hello Parents

I know summer has just began but I wanted to touch base with everyone concerning the upcoming 2022-2023 hockey season. This year, Westmount, LaSalle, Lachine and Verdun (WLLV) will be forming a double letter organization at the AA & BB level. Each organization will be hosting each team on a rotational basis for both practices and games.  

We will be forming one team at the following levels.

·         M11 AA (2012-2013) ATOM

·         M11 BB (2012-2013) ATOM

·         M13 AA (2010-2011) PEEWEE

·         M13 BB (2010-2011) PEEWEE

·         M15 AA (2008-2009) BANTAM

·         M18 AA (2005-2007) MIDGET

If you are interested in playing at the AA or BB level, kindly follow the steps by clicking here.

A reminder that registration for single letters (A, B, C) begins on August 2^nd 8 a.m. If your player is trying out for Double Letters, you are required to also sign up for single letters. Should a player make a double letter team, your amount paid for single letters will be transferred directly to the WLLV organization for a portion of your fee.

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to reach out to me at the coordinates below.

Thank you

‘Puts Westmount in the room’ where decisions are made Maislin new VP of Hockey Lac St. Louis, aims to promote girls’ hockey

By Laureen Sweeney

The recruitment of girls for hockey and marketing of their sport have long been goals for Andrew Maislin, operations manager for the city’s Sports and Recreation department. And his appointment June 21 as the new vice-president of the Lac St. Louis hockey federation “puts Westmount in the room where it all happens,” he told the Independent. Hockey Lac St. Louis includes 24 hockey associations like Westmount’s and is a member of Hockey Quebec. The Eastern Hockey League, for which Maislin continues as administrator, is one of the three subdivisions of Lac St. Louis. This additional role “is great for our goal of increasing girls’ hockey in Westmount,” he added. “Now we can steer the ship for our girls.” Girls’ hockey has always been under appreciated around the world, he contended. The marketing of hockey and recruitment of girls, including reaching out to the schools, has been “sorely lacking.” Maislin launched the first all-girls’ hockey team in November 2021 for the Westmount Minor Hockey Association. He also organized and brought to Westmount the nine final games of the season for Lac St. Louis’ girls’ hockey March 27. According to an information bulletin from the Lac St. Louis federation announcing Maislin’s appointment, “Andrew has been entrusted with overseeing the girls’ hockey program, a segment of the hockey sphere that is particularly close to his heart. His diverse experience in sports and recreation management with the city of Westmount for over 15 years is an undeniable asset to the corporation.”
For Maislin, adding the new responsibility “is a part of my life,” he said.

Max Steinberg, city’s hockey player for March
Top scorer for team, chosen for leadership role

By Laureen Sweeney

Being named Westmount’s hockey player-of-the-month forMarch is a salute to Max Steinberg of the U18/M18 Wings’ team. He moves on to the adult hockey program next year, explained Andrew Maislin, operations manager for the city’sSports and Recreation department.In announcing the recognition, Maislin recalled how Max had grown up in the department from the age of 6. “I have seen him develop from an ankle skater to one of the strong est players on his team.” This year, he has taken on a leadership role for the team and has brought them to various victories during the playoffs, Maislin added. “He is also the leading scorer, currently with a recent five-goal game.” Coaches had commented monthly on “how much he has matured not only as a hockey player but as a young adult andleader.” This was one of the objectives of the player-of-themonth recognition programwhen it was launched in October 2019 by the Westmount Minor Hockey Association.The city’s recognition program aims to highlight player contributions and acknowledge the opportunities and skills that minor hockey, and sports as a whole, can offer young people in developing sportsmanship, teamwork and discipline, which can be transferred into other areas such as academics and community service, Maislin said. “Max will be moving on to the adult hockey program next year and we wish him well on his next hockey adventure.”