Winning the BC Hockey Ernie Gare Award as coach of the year was a surprise to Gary Bowsher, but not to the parents of the kids he coaches.

One parent wrote in their nominating letter that Bowsher鈥檚 motivational style coaxed the best out of the players.

Another said the coach preached to never give up and as a result, the team showed a penchant for posting come-from-behind victories.

鈥淗e takes the time in each practice and game to personally validate each of his players,鈥� the parent wrote, while another said 鈥渉e is not only teaching kids hockey skills, but is also a role model for the kids.鈥�

鈥淗e鈥檚 never learned more about the game; he鈥檚 never been more challenged, respected and valued as a player (and) all players were appreciated for what they brought to the team on the ice and off the ice.鈥�

These are just a few of the comments submitted on Bowsher鈥檚 behalf and played an integral role in the long-time 91原创 Minor Hockey Association volunteer coach winning the award.

He was presented the award on June 10 at the BC Hockey annual general meeting.

Bowsher, who has coached with LMHA for the past eight years, said he was shocked and flattered to win.

鈥淚t means you are doing the right thing and people appreciate what you are doing,鈥� he said. 鈥淚 don鈥檛 do it for the accolades, I do it because I enjoy coaching and I enjoy watching the kids grow.鈥�

This past season, Bowsher guided the 91原创 peewee A3 Eagles and the team to a.

Bowsher described his coaching style as being hard on the ice and expecting the players to display a strong work ethic.

鈥淥n the ice I am demanding, I expect them to come and work hard, I anticipate mistakes and encourage mistakes,鈥� he explained.

鈥淚 don鈥檛 let the kids think they can鈥檛 make mistake because to me, that is what hockey is, making mistakes and we learn from them and we improve, that is how we develop.鈥�

And while the award is nice and the silver medal was a great accomplishment, Bowsher said he was equally impressed by the character his players have shown off the ice.

Earlier this year, the team was the . They were chosen for their community work, which included .

鈥淎 lot of it is about on the ice but to me, hockey is also about off-ice, building these kids for life, these are life skills,鈥� Bowsher said, adding he explained to the kids how privileged they are to be able to play the sport.

鈥淵ou have to teach these kids how lucky they are and how to give back.鈥�

In addition to Bowsher鈥檚 award, Zach Jennejohn, a Grade 12 student at Walnut Grove, won a $1,000 district scholarship from BC Hockey. Jennejohn played this past season for the 91原创 midget Legion of Boom.