Matt Hanlon of Santa Rosa to be Awarded 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 their 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 would be 32 today, but 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.

Previously, the award was presented at the Jordan Kocian Tournament which was held annually in Berkeley over New Years where the award was presented 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." In recent years, the award has been presented at the annual NORCAL Playoffs held in March, during a Midget 18A game.

The recipient of the Jordan Kocian Award for 2009 is Matt Hanlon of the Santa Rosa Midget 18A team. The award will be presented to Matt during the NORCAL A/B Playoffs to be held 3/20-3/22 at Sharks Ice at San Jose in San Jose, California. The presentation will take place Saturday 3/21 on-ice just prior to a Midget 18A game.

Matt clearly exhibited the qualities that are sought 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 life in general. Craig and Lois Kocian reviewed all the applicants submitted this year, and felt Matt was a very deserving candidate.

As the 2009 recipient of the award, Matt will receive a plaque, and his name is engraved on the Jordan Kocian Award Perpetual Cup that will be on display at Sharks Ice at San Jose for the next year.

Previous award winners include:

1997 Jason Rivera - Fresno AA
1998 Paul Margolis - Sacramento A
1999 Evin Cowen - Santa Rosa A
2000 John Wachter - Santa Rosa B
2001 Jordan Smith - Santa Rosa A
2003 Ryan Sweet - Stockton B
2004 Conor Foley - Cupertino A
2005 Andy Dickerson - San Jose A
2006 Devon Luna - Santa Clara A
2007 Ryan Horton - Santa Rosa A
2008 Kirby Haraguchi - San Jose A