BFIHA
Awards and Scholarships
Honouring our players, team officials and volunteers.
Awards and Scholarships
The Burnaby Female Ice Hockey Association Awards & Scholarships program recognizes the players, team officials, and volunteers who make our community exceptional. Each season, we celebrate leadership, sportsmanship, dedication, and service across all levels of our association. From player and team official awards to volunteer recognition, scholarships, and graduation rings for eligible graduating athletes, these honours highlight the individuals who go above and beyond for BFIHA on and off the ice.
2026 Awards and Scholarships
Leadership Award
Honors a player who demonstrates exceptional leadership, integrity, and positive influence on and off the ice.
- Serves as a consistent role model for teammates
- Demonstrates maturity, accountability, and resilience
- Contributes to team culture and cohesion
- Encourages and elevates teammates during challenges
- Represents the association’s values at the highest level
Community Builder Award
Honors a player who strengthens team culture and contributes positively to the broader hockey community.
- Builds inclusiveness and connection among teammates
- Represents the association positively in school or community
- Demonstrates generosity, support, and team-first behavior
Fairplay, Integrity and Spirit Award
Honors a player who consistently shows respect, fairness, and integrity in all interactions on and off the ice.
- Demonstrates exceptional respect for teammates, opponents, and officials
- Plays with discipline and positive attitude
- Upholds the spirit and values of the game
Resilience & Perseverance Award
Honors the player who overcomes challenges with determination and dedication.
- Overcomes injury, hardship, or adversity
- Maintains a positive attitude and commitment
- Inspires teammates with perseverance
Most Improved Player Award
Honors a player who has shown exceptional growth, determination, and development over the season.
- Demonstrates noticeable improvement in skills and understanding of the game
- Shows commitment through practice habits and perseverance
- Reflects strong coachability and willingness to learn
Rookie of the Year
Honors a first-year player who makes an outstanding contribution and quickly becomes a valued team member.
- Demonstrates impressive performance or progress in their debut season
- Shows enthusiasm, resilience, and strong team integration
- Reflects promise for continued growth in future seasons
Goaltender Excellence Award
Honors a goaltender who demonstrates consistency, resilience, and exceptional performance throughout the season.
- Performs reliably in high-pressure situations
- Shows strong technical growth and mental focus
- Demonstrates leadership from the crease
Most Improved Goaltender Award
Honors a goaltender who has shown outstanding growth, commitment, and development in their skills, confidence, and overall game performance throughout the season.
- Demonstrates noticeable improvement in technical skills and game awareness
- Shows dedication, coachability, and strong practice habits
- Builds confidence and consistency while contributing positively to the team
Coach of the Year Award
Honors a coach who demonstrates exceptional leadership, mentorship, and commitment to athlete development.
- Creates a positive, supportive, and inclusive team environment
- Demonstrates strong technical knowledge and effective teaching
- Models respect, integrity, and sportsmanship
- Supports player development incl. skill, confidence, and character
Rookie Coach Award
Honors a first-year coach who has made a meaningful contribution to their team through dedication, skill development, and positive leadership.
- Demonstrates enthusiasm, commitment, and reliability in their first coaching season
- Creates a supportive, inclusive, and positive environment for players
- Shows effective communication with players, parents, and other team staff
- Begins to model the leadership, professionalism, and values expected of experienced coaches
Manager of the Year Award
Honors a team manager who provides exceptional organization, communication, and support to their team.
- Manages team logistics with professionalism and accuracy
- Communicates clearly and ensures families feel supported
- Helps build a positive, cohesive team culture
- Demonstrates reliability, patience, and strong problem solving
Safety Leader Award
Honors a safety volunteer who demonstrates excellence in player well-being, preparedness, and calm, consistent support.
- Ensures adherence to safety protocols and best practices
- Responds confidently and appropriately in stressful situations
- Advocates for safe, respectful environments
- Communicates clearly with coaches, players, and families
Volunteer of the Year Award
Honors a volunteer whose dedication, positivity, and service significantly strengthen the association.
- Consistently contributes time, energy, and skills to support teams or programs
- Demonstrates initiative and willingness to help where needed
- Builds community and enhances the experience of players and families
- Represents association values through actions and attitude
Service to the Association Award
Honors a volunteer who has made an outstanding, lasting impact on the association through exceptional service and dedication.
- Demonstrates long-term commitment and meaningful contributions
- Supports the growth, stability, or improvement of the association
- Embodies leadership, reliability, and deep community spirit
- Leaves a positive, lasting mark on programs, players, or operations
Officials’ Leadership & Integrity Award
Honors an official who sets a strong example for peers through professionalism, mentorship, and respect for the game.
- Demonstrates respect for players, coaches, and fellow officials
- Helps create a positive, supportive officiating environment
- Shows initiative by assisting newer officials or modeling best practices
- Upholds the highest standards of integrity and reliability on and off the ice
Silver Whistle Award
Honors a developing official who demonstrates exceptional poise, fairness, and confidence in their on-ice decision making.
- Shows consistent accuracy and composure during games
- Demonstrates strong knowledge of rules and positioning
- Earns respect through fairness, communication, and professionalism
- Reflects ongoing growth and commitment to improving as an official
Please note that officials will be nominated by our Referee-in-Charge.
In addition to recognizing individual players and volunteers, the Burnaby Female Ice Hockey Association will present 2–3 Team Awards to celebrate the teams who made this season truly special – not just in results, but in connection, growth, and community.
These awards honour the journey each team shares together. From first practices to final games, from early-morning ice times to tournaments and team events, every team builds something unique. We want to celebrate the friendships formed, the confidence gained, and the sense of belonging that makes being part of the Wildcats so meaningful.
Rather than defining strict categories, we invite teams to tell us their story in their own words.
How Teams Are Considered
Teams may be nominated by sharing:
- What made this season special for your group
- How friendships grew and how players bonded
- How the team supported one another through challenges
- Examples of sportsmanship, teamwork, and character
- Ways your team contributed to the Burnaby Wildcats community or the broader community
- Volunteer or community initiatives
- Special traditions, team events, or shared experiences
- Memorable moments that brought your team closer together
Whether it was new friendships for our youngest players, a group that became like family, shared laughter at tournaments, quiet acts of support in difficult moments, or a season filled with connection and pride – we want to hear what made your team’s journey meaningful.
These awards celebrate the true heart of team sport: belonging, encouragement, shared growth, and memories that last far beyond the final whistle.
The Burnaby Female Ice Hockey Association (BFIHA) is pleased to announce that applications are now being accepted for the 2026 BFIHA Wildcats Scholarship. This award honours exceptional U18 Burnaby Wildcats players who embody the values of dedication, leadership, and community spirit. One or two deserving athletes will each receive a $1,000 scholarship, recognizing not only their achievements on the ice but also their contributions to the wider community and their commitment to their academic journey.
Before scholarship funds are released, successful applicants will be required to provide verification of enrolment at a secondary school as well as documentation confirming tuition expenses.
Eligibility Requirements
Applicants must meet the following:
- Three years of participation with the U18 Burnaby Wildcats
- Demonstrated history of giving back to the Wildcats program
- Recognized as a role model and positive influence within the association
- Active involvement as a community member
- Evidence of leadership both on and off the ice
- Demonstrated academic achievement (no transcripts required)
The application is designed to help players reflect on their experiences and communicate how they have made a difference within the Wildcats community and beyond. Applicants will complete a brief written submission that includes short-answer responses and a personal statement.
- Short-answer questions will invite players to describe their leadership experiences, community involvement, contributions to the Wildcats program, and academic goals.
- The personal statement offers an opportunity to share their story in more depth—highlighting what they have learned, how they have grown, and how this scholarship will support their future.
Applicants should ensure that their responses are thoughtful, genuine, and reflective of their personal journey. While no transcripts are required, applicants should be prepared to speak to their efforts and accomplishments in the classroom.
Selected recipients will be contacted with instructions for submitting enrollment and tuition documentation.
The BFIHA encourages every eligible Wildcat to apply and share the impact they’ve made both on and off the ice. This scholarship is more than a financial award—it is a celebration of the commitment, character, and passion that define our Wildcats community. We look forward to hearing your story and supporting the next step in your academic journey.
2026 Graduation Rings will awarded to Wildcats players born in 2008 that are graduating from high school and from the Burnaby Wildcats program at the end of the 2025/26 season, and have played with the Burnaby Wildcats for a minimum of 8 consecutive years. You will be contacted by the association if you are eligible to receive a graduation ring. If you have not heard from us by March 15th, and believe that you are eligible to receive a graduation ring, please reach out to communications@burnabywildcats.ca .
BFIHA Player & Volunteer Awards
From the ice to the stands, our players and volunteers give their all. We’re proud to celebrate their hard work, commitment, and spirit with awards and scholarships that highlight the difference they make for BFIHA and for girls in hockey everywhere.
PLAYER & SCHOLARSHIP AWARDS, GRADUATION RINGS
- When: May 2026 (tbd)
- Where: Bill Copeland Arena
- Who: By invitation only.
TEAM OFFICIALS & VOLUNTEER AWARDS
- When: May 23, 2026
- Where: Hilton, Burnaby
- Who: By invitation only.
Nominations & Applications
Nominations are open from February 13th, 2026 to February 28, 2026 (11:59 PM PST).
Nominations for Player Awards and Team Officials & Volunteer Awards are submitted through our Google form.
Any Wildcats player, team official, or volunteer who is a registered BFIHA member in good standing and has been part of our Wildcats community during the 2025/26 season can be nominated for an award.
Anybody is allowed to nominate players, team officials or volunteers for an award. Whether you are a player nominating another player, a team official nominating a player or a fellow volunteer, a parent/guardian or extended family member nominating their own player, another Wildcats or a team official, there are no limits. You can also nominate yourself! The only thing we ask for is that nominations are thoughtful, genuine, and reflective of the award category.
Any Wildcats player born in 2008 who is graduating from the Burnaby Wildcats at the end of the 2025/26 Season and meets the requirements below can apply for a scholarship:
- Minimum three years of participation with the U18 Burnaby Wildcats
- Demonstrated history of giving back to the Wildcats program
- Recognized as a role model and positive influence within the association
- Active involvement as a community member
- Evidence of leadership both on and off the ice
- Demonstrated academic achievement (no transcripts required)
Yes, you can nominate multiple players, team officials and volunteers for awards. While we appreciate that some players may qualify for multiple awards, we would like to give as many of our players the opportunity to be recognized for their accomplishments. We therefore kindly ask that you be mindful to select the award(s) that you feel are the best suited for each player you nominate.
No, there are no nominations for scholarships.Scholarship applications need to be filled in by the players.
Our Player Awards & Scholarships event is by invitation only. Players that have been selected to receive an award will be contacted by email on March 16th, 2026. Players will be allowed to bring one guest each to the awards ceremony.
Our Team Officials & Volunteer Awards event is by invitation only. Team Officials and Volunteers that have been selected to receive an award will be contacted by email on March 16th, 2026.
No, all nominations need to made providing a name and email address so that we can reach out to you in case we have any follow-up questions.
Interested in Volunteering with BFIHA?
We’re always looking for volunteers to help out at the association, division or team level. We’d love to have you on board! Contact us to find out how you can get involved!