Respecting the game
Official's Award recognizes talent, respect in senior league
Darrell Greer
Northern News Services
Wednesday, May 13, 2015
RANKIN INLET
Two hockey players were recognized for having big seasons that combined success and respect for the game in Rankin Inlet this past month.
Jordin Tootoo, right, presents Kyle Tattuinee with the 2015 Kivalliq News Official's Award in Rankin Inlet this past month. - Darrell Greer/NNSL photo |
And they had the bonus of having their awards presented by an NHLer.
Jordin Tootoo presented the Kivalliq News Official's Award to Wendel Kaludjak (2014) and Kyle Tattuinee (2015) in front of a packed arena at the start of his charity all-star game to benefit kids at risk in Rankin.
The Kivalliq News has sponsored the Official's Award for play in the Rankin Inlet Senior Men's Hockey League since 2008.
The award is presented to the player who best combines talent, sportsmanship and respect for the game in a given season.
Kaludjak was recognized for scoring 84 points in 2014, a year in which he also recorded the lowest number of penalty minutes in his career with 11.
Kyle Tattuinee finished third in league scoring in 2015, notching 25 goals and 24 assists to go along with just nine penalty minutes.
Tattuinee said he was flattered to win the award.
He said some very good players have their names on the Official's Award and he is happy to join them.
"Winning this award, to me, goes to show that, as you get older, you forget about all the showboat stuff and just play the game," said Tattuinee.
"You definitely learn to control your emotions better.
"You understand you can't control every aspect of the game, so you work your tail off and be tough to play against at both ends of the ice.
"You can play hard and still have respect for the officials who call the game."
Tattuinee said he doesn't buy into, at all, the notion you're a "soft" player if you win a sportsmanship or respect award.
He said he'd rather work hard and show respect for the game, than to yell and complain every time a call doesn't go your way.
"I see some of the younger players screaming at the ref, just going on bad about a minor penalty, and I pause and think was I like that as a young player?
"There are some players who look at you like you're a teacher's pet, or something, if you talk to the ref with respect.
"I realize now it's to your benefit to respect the refs and, maybe, you even get the odd break when a call could go either way.
"But, really, it's about respecting the game more than anything else."
