The Jordan Kocian Award

The Northern California Junior Hockey Association (NORCAL) honors the memory of Jordan Kocian each year  by presenting the Jordan Kocian Award to a final year Midget who exemplifies desire, determination, dedication, leadership and inspiration in his/her approach to playing hockey and living. The award is for accomplishments outside hockey as well as inside hockey, it is for older midget players who have been role models to their peers and given their time back to the game and exemplified the spirit of Jordan Kocian.

Jordan Kocian began his hockey career with the Berkeley Bears.  As a Midget, he played as a Junior Shark.  He passed away in 1996 at the age of 21 from Wolf Parkinson White Syndrome, which causes an abnormal electrical conduction in the heart muscles.  Those who knew Kocian have said that he touched their lives in a wonderful way.

The Award has been presented at the Jordan Kocian Tournament which is held each year in Berkeley over The New Year Holiday, where the award has been presented in the past by Jordan's parents, Lois and Craig Kocian. "This annual non-competitive event embodies the spirit Jordan Kocian had for giving back to the community.  As a young adult, he stayed active in guiding and coaching younger players."

The recipient of the Jordan Kocian Award for 2007 is Ryan Horton of the Santa Rosa Flyers Midget 18A Team.  The award will be presented to Ryan during the NORCAL A Playoffs (3/30 - 4/1/07) at the Oakland Ice Center in Oakland, California. Ryan has clearly exhibited the qualities that are looked for in honoring the memory of Jordan Kocian, whether it be the dedication to the sport of hockey, giving back to the game and the community, or just generally exhibiting the exuberance for the sport of ice hockey and live in general.  CONGRATULATIONS RYAN!

 "I am most proud, however, of Ryan Horton's award because I think that award exemplifies what this Club is all about (and is probably why Santa Rosa players have won that award quite a few times)." Rich Strauch, SRJHC President

...and for those of you who were watching The Sharks on Monday, April 16, Ryan was also awarded the NORCAL PLAYER OF THE WEEK Award, as his name and photo were broadcast live.  We extremely proud to have Ryan a member of the Santa Rosa Flyers Junior Hockey Club.

SU