RAHA is excited to introduce a new annual player award launching this season. This award recognizes the heart and soul of what it means to be a great teammate.

The RAHA Player Award will be given to one player from every RAHA team, from our youngest IP skaters to our traveling levels, who best lives out our core values: teamwork, sportsmanship, respect, integrity, loyalty, pursuit of excellence, and enjoyment of the game.

The purpose is to recognize and reward intangible qualities that contribute to team success and positive hockey culture and to strengthen the sense of community and pride within RAHA.

This is not about goals, assists, or saves. It is about the player who makes hockey better for everyone, both on and off the ice.

How It Works:

• Coaches will share the award criteria early in the season.
• At the end of the year, players will vote for a teammate who truly embodies RAHA’s values.
• Winners will be recognized at the end of the season and receive a special commemorative item.

Building Better Players, Better Teammates, and a Stronger Hockey Community

The RAHA Hockey Award is given to a player who consistently demonstrates key characteristics on and off the ice. This award isn’t about who scores the most goals or makes the biggest saves. It’s about the kind of teammate you are every day. The player who wins this award works hard, plays fair, and treats everyone with respect — coaches, teammates, refs, and even opponents. They help make hockey fun for everyone, include people in the locker room, and do the right thing even when no one is watching. They’re loyal to their team, they put others first, and they lead by example. This is the teammate you’re proud to play with and the kind of player that makes RAHA hockey better for everyone.

Below are examples of how a youth hockey player might embody these values:

Pursuit of Excellence – Always trying your best on and off the ice

• Giving your best at practice and games.
• Asking questions when you don’t understand a play.

Sportsmanship – Respecting the game, teammates, opponents, & officials

• Helping an opponent up after they fall, even if they’re on the other team.
• Respects referees and opponents, never retaliates after a bad hit or missed call, and shakes hands with class after a game—win or lose.
• Represents RAHA positively at tournaments, congratulates other teams, and supports younger players in the association.

Respect for the Individual – Treating everyone the way you want to be treated

• Listening when coaches, captains, or teammates are talking.
• Including every teammate in locker room conversations, even the quieter kids.
• Avoiding negative comments about mistakes, instead saying, “You’ll get it next time.”
• Speaking up if someone is being teased, saying “That’s not cool” or changing the subject.

Integrity – Playing with honesty and doing the right thing, even when no one’s watching

• Not cheating in conditioning drills to finish first.
• Not taking “cheap shots” even in a chippy game.
• Following team rules in the locker room, even if the coach isn’t there.
• Calling your own penalty in practice if you know you tripped or hooked someone

Enjoyment – Keeping hockey fun for everyone

• Smiling, laughing, and keeping the mood light after a tough loss.
• Starting a fun warm-up game in the locker room before practice.
• Cheering for a teammate’s big play, even if it wasn’t you who scored.
• Maintains a positive attitude even during tough stretches in the season.

Loyalty – Being committed to your team and RAHA

• Showing up on time for practices and games, ready to go.
• Wearing RAHA gear proudly at school or in the community.
• Supporting your team even when you’re injured or not playing much.

Teamwork – Working together, putting the team first, helping others succeed

• Encouraging a goalie after a goal goes in.
• Passing to an open teammate instead of trying to score on your own.
• Helping a teammate fix a helmet strap or tie a skate before they get on the ice.
• Builds friendships within the team, includes everyone in activities, and helps new players feel welcome.
• Encourages teammates after a tough shift, passes the puck instead of playing selfishly, helps teammates understand plays, and celebrates teammates' successes.
• Helps with equipment, shares encouragement with struggling teammates, and puts the team’s success before personal stats.

The RAHA Hockey Award is given to a player who consistently demonstrates key characteristics on and off the ice. This award isn’t about who scores the most goals. It’s about being a great teammate. A player who wins this award tries their best, is kind to everyone, and helps make hockey fun. They cheer for teammates, share the puck, and help others. They follow the rules, include everyone in games, and make the team better just by being on it

Below are examples to show how you can be a great teammate and live RAHA’s values in practices, scrimmages, jamborees and even off the ice.

Pursuit of Excellence – Trying your best, even when it’s hard

• Practicing your stops or turns until you get better instead of giving up.
• Skating as fast as you can to the cone, even if you’re the last one there.
• Listening to the coach’s instructions before a drill and trying your best to follow them.

Sportsmanship – Being kind and fair to everyone

• Helping a friend up if they fall during a drill.
• Cheering for other RAHA teams during a jamboree.
• Tapping gloves or giving a high-five after a scrimmage.
• Saying “nice try” to a teammate after they miss the puck.

Respect for the Individual – Treating everyone the way you want to be treated

• Waiting your turn in line during a drill.
• Listening when your coach or a teammate is talking.
• Letting everyone join in a locker room game or conversation.
• Showing a teammate where to go or what to do if they’re unsure about the drill.

Integrity – Doing the right thing, even if no one sees

• Following the team’s safety rules for getting on and off the ice.
• Treating other teams with respect when you see them in the rink.
• Going all the way around the cone in a drill, even if it takes longer.
• Own your mistakes — if you missed your defensive assignment or turned the puck over, tell your goalie “my bad” instead of blaming them for the goal.

Enjoyment – Making hockey fun for everyone

• Starting a fun team goal celebration everyone can join.
• Cheering, and clapping for teammates during a jamboree.
• Having fun with warm-up games in the locker room without leaving anyone out.

Loyalty – Being there for your team

• Wearing your RAHA jersey or gear with pride.
• Staying with your group for drills instead of wandering off.
• Showing up for practices and jamborees ready to learn and have fun.

Teamwork – Helping and encouraging others

• Encouraging a goalie after a goal goes in.
• Helping carry team gear to the bench area.
• Passing the puck to a teammate so they can take a shot.
• Helping a friend find their glove or helmet before going on the ice.