9
Jun
March 19, 2013
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Dustin’s nomination shined through hundreds of entrants from across Canada with his dedication to sportsmanship, hard work, and charity; over the past three seasons, his minor hockey teams have raised over $100,000 for the Alberta Children’s Hospital. The top 5 vote getters in each region will each receive at least $20,000 for their minor hockey association with the winner earning $100,000 for their community.
Voting takes place online between 7 a.m. March 23 and 10 p.m. March 24. Voters need to visit Dustin’s page on Kraft’s Hockey Goes On website. Winners will be announced April 3rd, 2013.
Testimonials from parents, players, and others
Dustin’s commitment and energy were infectious and he brought out the best in everyone around him‐ boys and parents alike. He knowingly taught our boys that there is nothing more satisfying than working hard and sacrificing for the benefit of someone less fortunate. That’s Dustin’s legacy, and the gift that he’s given to our boys and to the society that they will grow up in and one day lead.
Craig Hruska ‐ Parent
Over the two years that our son Shaun has played for Dustin, I have noticed a marked improvement in his self confidence both on and off the ice. We are very fortunate to have Dustin as our coach.
Karen Sobel and Martin Darby ‐ Parents
I consider Dustin Aasen to be an outstanding hockey coach and even a better person. He connects extremely well with all his players with his sense of humour, respect and dignity that he always displays. I have coached sports at all levels for 40 years and Dustin is the best that I have ever met. His pleasant disposition makes the parents and players feel very comfortable and special. He stresses team play, sportsmanship and academic perseverance.
John McClintock ‐ Parent
Dustin Aasen coaches us to play in a way that we won’t regret our minor hockey career, he is a person who cares about you and wants to become the best individual that you can be. I hope Dustin can coach me next year in my last year of minor hockey and he is someone who I would love to stay in contact with for the rest of my life.
Shaun Lavery – Player
Dustin has shown all of us what it means to be selfless and how we as individuals can have a profound impact on the society around us. I personally have become a coach myself and tried to replicate Dustin's charity tournament with a small sum raised. Dustin Aasen is one of the largest influences in my life; I could go on for pages of how Dustin has helped me throughout the years such as helping me train in the off season or helping my brother who now plays Junior B hockey but I will leave it at this: Dustin Aasen is a man who’s impact will never leave you. I am proud to call Dustin my coach but more importantly I am proud to call Dustin Aasen my friend.
Mat Tupper ‐ Player
Simply put, Dustin is the true definition of Humanism, his dedication to giving back is something that all should admire. SMHA is very lucky to have Dustin as part of our family.
Jason Martin - President, Springbank Minor Hockey
In the past three years, Dustin has raised $130,000 for the Alberta Children's Hospital through the Springbank Gives Back Hockey Tournament. His commitment and passion for giving back to the community is incredible. It takes months of time and energy to organize an event like this. The Alberta Children's Hospital Foundation is so grateful to Dustin for his dedication to raising funds for excellence in child health, research and family centered care.
Jenn Mclean - Alberta Children's Hospital
About Coach Dustin Aasen
Unlike many coaches in minor hockey, Dustin is not a resident of the Springbank community, didn't play his minor hockey in Springbank, and doesn't have a son or daughter on the team. Yet he makes every effort to travel across the city, taking time away from his own young family, to coach a team of young men and women 3‐5 times a week.
Dustin's desire to be the best coach for his team doesn't stop at his time commitment. He makes use of his own connections and resources to create a better experience for his players. He has sourced extra coaching for his goaltenders, invited former WHL and pro coaches to share their knowledge, added dry land training sessions, printed plays/tactics for review, used video review on games, and even offered to help players 1 on 1 during non‐scheduled ice sessions on the outdoor rinks. He also makes effective use of social media platforms like Facebook to better connect with his young players, allowing an open forum for feedback and team brainstorming. This season, he has found time at a MMA gym and introduced the team to circuit training to improve their strength, agility, and conditioning. Even more, during the team's recent trip to a tournament in Kelowna, Dustin was able to have the team tour the Kelowna Rocket's dressing room and training facility.
As a mentor, Dustin is very successful at teaching non‐hockey skills through a team sport. He holds each and every player accountable for their actions on and off the ice. As a result, the players come together as a true team, understanding the values of teamwork and friendship. Moreover, Dustin shares with them the value of respect and fair play. While other teams have stooped to bigoted comments and overly aggressive play, Dustin's teams show a level of class that both players and parents can be proud of. He is often heard telling his team to "be Men on the ice, and Gentlemen off the ice.
Probably Dustin's most important contribution to his players is reinforcing the values of charity and giving. For the past two seasons, Dustin’s teams have hosted the "Springbank Gives Back" tournament which collects money and items for the Alberta Children's Hospital. The first year generated over $18,500 and the second year generated $70,000. Last year's donation was the single largest donation to the hospital by a group of 15‐18 year old men and women. This year’s donation of close to $38,000 has moved Dustin's teams to a cumulative sponsorship level only seen by corporate level donors, let alone teenagers who have yet graduated from High School!
To generate such impressive figures, Dustin encourages his players to spend time at malls and businesses selling raffle tickets, canvassing for corporate donations, and sourcing items for the raffle/auction table. He teaches sales and marketing, determination and perseverance, the value of giving to charity, and why it is important to give to groups who may be less fortunate.
Having played 10 years of minor hockey with a wide variety of coaches, I can say without a doubt that Dustin is a truly special coach and he deserves to be recognized for his efforts on and off the ice. He donates an enormous amount of his time and energy to guide each group of young men and women to become, not just the best hockey players, but the best people that they can be.
About Kraft Hockey Goes On
Kraft, the maker of KD and other food products, usually sponsors the Hockeyville Canada promotion which awards communities with grants to refurbish/build sporting facilities.
This year, with the NHL lockout, they have changed their campaign to recognize and reward deserving minor hockey volunteers and their communities. There are 5 top prizes of $100,000 and 20 second prizes of $20,000 to be awarded to winning minor hockey associations. That is, Springbank Minor Hockey would receive the funds.
20 finalists are selected from each region and the top 5 vote‐getters receive prizes. Online voting happens on March 23rd and 24th.
Contact
For more information about Dustin Aasen and his deserving selection as a finalist for Kraft’s Hockey Goes On competition, please contact:
Mike Hwang, Assistant Coach
403‐921‐6857
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