Fort Frances Lakers head coach and general manager Wayne Strachan has received the prestigious Gary Cook Memorial Award in the Superior International Junior Hockey League.
The honour is presented annually to an individual in recognition of their efforts, commitment and contributions to the league.
Strachan is the winningest coach in league history and has received a record-five Coach of the Year awards.
He has led Fort Frances to multiple league finals, three Bill Salonen Cup championships along with numerous Dudley-Hewitt Cup appearances.
Commissioner Bryan Graham says “Wayne Strachan has been one of the leading figures in the SIJHL since its inception and not many are more deserving of this award. His commitment to the Fort Frances program for nearly two decades has been a vital cog to the club’s success throughout the years.”
Here are the previous winners of the Gary Cook Memorial Award
2019-20: Wayne Strachan, Fort Frances Lakers
2018-19: Tom Annelin, SIJHL Director of Communications
2017-18: Eric Vastamaki, SIJHL Referee
2016-17: Doug Colbon, Thunder Bay North Stars
2015-16: Milt Strachan, Fort Frances Lakers
2014-15: Ron Whitehead, Former SIJHL President/Commissioner
2013-14: Mike Ebbeling, CKDR Radio Dryden
2012-13: Trevor Hosanna, Hockey Northwestern Ontario
2011-12: Malcolm Robertson, Dryden Ice Dogs
2010-11: Rod Aldoff, Wisconsin Wilderness
2009-10: Ted Lake, Dryden Ice Dogs
2008-09: Doug Lawrance, Sioux Lookout Flyers
2007-08: Carolyn/Scott Kellaway, Fort Frances Jr. Sabres
