Blackhawks IHC Awards
The Blackhawks IHC honours its history and people through various awards and trophies and by awarding perpetual trophies carrying the names of honoured members/families of our club, in recognition of their contributions over our history.
Life Membership
Elected by the committee from nominations made. Most prestigious award handed out by the club in recognition for outstanding service over an extended period in with the club.
Our Life members are: (alphabetical order) –
Gary Croft, Brad Cunningham, David Cunningham (dec.), Wayne Dalton, Noel Derrick (dec.), Shelley Fitzpatrick, Charles Grandy, Glenn Grandy, Stan Gray (dec.), Doug Monahan, John Purcell (dec.), Rob Reid , Terry Reid, John Slater (dec), Irene Smith and Peter South.
President’s Award
This award is decided by the serving President and presented to the person who has demonstrated a tireless dedication and commitment and to the ongoing success of the Blackhawks Ice Hockey Club on and off the rink. All members of the playing group, committee and volunteers are eligible to receive this award.
Originating as the “Hawk Helper” award (date U/K) under Charlie Grandy’s presidency, it was formalised and re-named by former President Alan Lyons and first awarded in 1998.
Most Valuable Player
Awarded to the player who accumulates the most votes (3-2-1) during the regular season
Premier A – Perpetual Trophy Named after John Purcell (dec.)
John was a defenceman who became involved in hockey in 1946. He was a regular Goodall Cup representative for Victoria and was Captain of the Australian team in the 1962 World Championship team that recorded Australia's historic first ever International win. He was a member of the 1964 Olympic qualifying team in Japan.
John also served as the second president of the Australian Ice Hockey Federation (now Ice Hockey Australia) between 1976 and 1980, successor to Ken Kennedy.
Wearing the number 9 over many years with the Blackhawks, John was further honoured by the club on his passing.
John is recognised as a Life Member of the Blackhawks, IHV & IHA.
Senior B – Perpetual Trophy provided by the Boileau Family
Mike Boileau was a flying French Canadian that played mostly in the A grade through the 70’s with the Hawks. A high scoring forward that was always well liked and popular, Mike was affectionately known as “Frog” and his number 7 jersey often featured heavily on the score sheet. Was also known for his “Bobby Clarke” hockey smile that was a signature of plenty of Canadian hockey players of the era.
Mike represented Australia at the 1974 World Championships.
Best Goalie
Awarded to the club goalie who records the best saves percentage across the four grades during the regular season. (Currently no perpetual trophy)
Highest Point Scorer
Awarded to the player who accumulates the most points during the IHV regular season in each grade.
Premier A – Perpetual Trophy named after Noel Derrick (dec.)
Noel Derrick was a forward and prolific goal scorer for the Blackhawks and Victoria – 1st playing for the state in the champion Goodall Cup Team in 1951 – winning five in a row. The Goodall wasn’t played for over the following 5 years, after which Noel played in the next two victories in ’61 & ’62, then four in a row from ’65 to ’68.
Noel played in the 1960 Squaw Valley Olympics and was a member of 2nd Olympic qualification team in 1963–4. Captain of the 1966 Blackhawks Premier team, he wore number 6 throughout his prolific career.
Noel is a Life Member of IHA and the Blackhawks and is honoured by IHV in that the “Noel Derrick Trophy” is awarded annually to the Most Valuable Player in the IHV Premier A League since 2008.
Senior B – Perpetual Trophy named after by Dave Cunningham
Dave Cunningham is a Life Member of the Blackhawks, the IHV and IHA. Another high scoring forward of the era, Dave played in the first Blackhawks team of 1947 and graced the ice wearing number 5. Also, a very successful coach with the club, Dave helped in winning a number of Reserve Premierships.
Dave represented Victoria numerous times, winning the Goodall Cup in 1947, 52, 53, 54 and 55 and was the Top Point Scorer of the 1960 Australian Olympic Ice Hockey Team scoring 6 points – 4G 2A – in 6 games. He is honoured by the IHV with the “Dave Cunningham Trophy” awarded annually to the Top Point Scorer in the IHV Premier A League since 2008.
Dave is a Life Member of IHA and the Blackhawks.
Best Defenceman
Awarded to the defenceman who accumulates the most votes (3-2-1) during the regular season
Premier A – Perpetual Trophy provided by Charlie Grandy
Charlie Grandy was a long serving player, coach & administrator with the club & is also a Life Member of the Blackhawks, IHV & IHA. Coming to the club in 1964 where he played for Blackhawks and Victoria in 1965-66. Charlie terrorised the league as a tough, hard hitting defenseman wearing the feared number 4 jersey and played in the 1966 Blackhawks premiership.
Returning to Australia in 1971 and played for the Blackhawks from 1972 to 1981. Charlie captained the Blackhawks and Victoria on numerous occasions up to 1981. He played on Goodall Cup winning teams in ’65, ’66, ’72, 73, 74, 75, 76, 78 and 79. Charlie represented Australia in the 1963 Olympic Qualification Tournament and the 1974 and 1979 World Championships. He captained Australia in 1974 and 1979 and in a 1977 Exhibition Series against West Germany.
Charlie coached the Senior A for several years including the 1984 Premiership. He was also the Team Manager on the 2002 and 2005 Premierships teams. Charlie also served the club as President and on the committee in a number of roles
A recipient of the Australian Sports Medal in 2000 for “AIHF life member and past AIHF vice-president and treasurer.”
Charlie Is honoured by IHV with the “Charles Grandy Championship Trophy” awarded annually to the IHV Junior Elite League Champions since 2008.
Charlie is a Life Member of IHA, IHV and the Blackhawks.
Senior B – Perpetual Trophy provided by Gary Croft
Gary Croft was along serving player, coach and committee member of the club from the early 70’s. He is also a Life Member of the club. Known for his high energy game and no nonsense approach, Gary patrolled the blue line in the famous number 5 through several tours of service, finishing in a winning premiership team that also featured his son Darren.
Affectionately known as "King Bonza", Gary coached the clubs A and B grade teams.
Gary also played in Goodall Cup winning teams for Victoria in 1973, 74, 75 and 76 and continued to represent Victoria up to 1996. Gary also represented Australia in 1974, 77 and 79.
Gary is a Life Member of the Blackhawks and served the club as President and on the committee in a number of roles
Rookie of the Year
Voted by the Coaches, the Best First Year player must be in their first season with the Blackhawks in the grade awarded (or played less than 5 games prior) to be eligible to win.
Premier A – Perpetual Trophy named after Stan Gray (dec.)
Stan Gray was a long serving coach and administrator with the club, is a Life Member of the Blackhawks and the IHV. Known for his hard line with young players, Stan was a bit like Scotty Bowman and never played the game but was a great Coach Manager and Administrator.
Stan was revered by all that knew him and he won the 1962 Goodall Cup as Coach. He was the Team Manager of the Australian Team at 1979 World Championships.
Senior B – Perpetual Trophy provided by Wayne Dalton
Wayne Dalton was a late starter to hockey and began with the Blackhawks in the mid 70’s. Wearing the number 21 jersey, he played mostly in the B Grade and developed later into a great leader of the club, captaining the A grade in the 2002 Premiership.
Wayne also served the club as President and on the committee in a number of roles.
Most Improved
This award is voted on by the coaches and presented to the player who over the season has demonstrated the work ethic and commitment required to succeed.
Premier A – Perpetual trophy provided by the McDowell Family
Andrew McDowell (or "Gumper" as he is better known) started his playing career with the Blackhawks in 1979, coming from the Ringwood Rangers organisation as a goalie, progressing through the juniors to be the A grade goalie in the 1984 Premier team where he wore the famous number 35 jersey.
After a break and with his sons showing enough interest and joined the club as juniors. Andrew put the skates on again and as well as the occasional turn between the pipes he played a little of “out” hockey with the summer league Chiefs and then in the first incarnation of the IHV Senior “C” league, playing in their premiership team in 2006. Andrew became a team manager, committee man and eventually President of the club, through one of its most successful times. He progressed to be the IHV President and has overseen many great initiatives.
With Andrew, came his younger brother Simon, affectionately known as “Noid” who also played between the pipes but later decided to turn his hand to defence, playing through the senior grades and acquitting himself well in the A grade. Long retired, Noid is putting the foil on again with the Chiefs in the summer league sporting his in-famous number 29.
With Andrew and Simon came two of the best hockey parents the club has seen in Neil and Marion. Devoted to the Hawks, they did everything as junior parents. Always seen at the rink supporting their boys, Neil was the team manager of the 1984 A grade premiership team and it was a very sad day for the club when he passed away in 2011.
Senior B – Perpetual Trophy provided by Peter South
Peter South came to the club in the 70’s a fast skating forward and developed into a fantastic and well-liked character around the club. With a number of nicknames, Peter played through to both A and B Grade starring in both while wearing the famed number 12 jersey.
Peter coached at various levels of junior grades up to and including state levels. Also serving as captain across the years, Peter always did what was best for the club, serving on the committee a number of times.
Peter played in the 1984 A grade Premiership and is a Life Member of the club.
10 Year Award
The club previously presented club members who have accumulated 10 years of service with a “skin” as a symbol of loyalty and longevity as well as being a long-cherished part of our club history. In 2022, it was decided that this was no longer an appropriate way to celebrate this achievement and the skin was replaced with a customised puck.
Games Awards
The club recognises significant milestones in increments of 100 games.
Puck Awards
The club recognises the scoring of 1st goals by players with the club and again for those players when they score their first “A” grade goal.
Bad Shepherd Hardest Worker
First presented in 2018, the idea of premiership player and major sponsor, Dereck Hales of Bad Shepherd Brewing, the BD Hardest Worker Award is presented to the player who accumulates the most “Hard Hat” awards throughout the season. The Hard Hat is awarded in the various grades to the player voted by the previous week winner as the player to have worked the hardest (not necessarily the best player) in the game.