This past week, Henry Catry, head coach for Carmeuse Lime
Ltd Minor Midget team received official notification that he is one of Kraft
Canada’s Top 100 Unsung Hockey Heroes. Two
thousand dollars will be donated in Catry’s name to a Hockey Canada program of
his choice. Catry will also receive a plaque, which will be placed in the I.D.M.H.A.
display showcase following a brief presentation, date to be determined.
“When I first found out I had been entered in the Kraft Top 100 contest, it was quite a shock and a surprise. Once we got the call that I had been chosen as a secondary prize winner, it was quite humbling to receive an award for something that I love to do. It makes the hours of practices and games and volunteering your time all the more worthwhile. I thank all the parents and the players I have ever coached for playing the game that I love. Also a big thank you to my nominators.”
Catry worked twenty-five years as a referee. For the past twelve years, he has volunteered with two minor hockey associations in Oxford County; the first of which was in Norwich, where his son, Zach, started to play hockey at four years of age.
Ten years ago Catry relocated to Ingersoll, where he soon began volunteering with the Ingersoll District Minor Hockey Association (I.D.M.H.A.). For five of these years, Catry held various positions on the I.D.M.H.A. Executive, including Convener of Peewee and Bantam Divisions, Game Scheduler, Team Organizer, and Development Coordinator, which put Catry right where he most loved to be…on the ice! In this role, Catry organized and ran weekly development sessions for all players from I.P. to Bantam. For the older and more skilled players, Catry offered shooting clinics. Catry did not forget the importance of proper training for goaltenders and was sure to bring in goaltending instructors for the goaltending clinics.
Catry coached Novice to Midget Levels and Local League and Rep teams. Catry’s coaching style and passion for the game does not change or falter. As far as he is concerned, the game remains the same. The Local League and Rep games are equally as important; the only difference is skill level, not the commitment to the game.
Sometimes honing and improving a player’s skill level takes a bit more attention and Catry is the coach that knows how to give that attention and motivation to a player. Despite the skill level, Catry believes everyone deserves a “fair shake” and this includes those new to hockey and new to skating. Catry believes in taking the time to help teach these new players how to skate so they can best enjoy the game. If more help is required, he kindly suggests to the player’s parent(s) that power skating lessons are a good option. Janice Catry says it best about her husband’s coaching style, “A different coach, for different folks”.
During the 2013-14 season, a nearby centre was unable to roster teams at the Bantam and Midget levels; the I.D.M.H.A. welcomed the released players to their tryout process. One of those players would earn his spot on the roster of the Ingersoll Express Minor Midget team, coached by Catry. For Catry, arriving from a different centre made no difference and, as is his way, referred to each and every player as “my boys”.
Over the past ten years, Catry has earned respect and admiration from executive members, other coaches, parents and most of all his players. Perhaps it is his passion for the game and his admiration for those who love it as much as he does, or perhaps it is his fair and honest manner; maybe it is all of these. When he meets parents he states, “I might not remember all of your names, but I know all the kids.”
Tonight Catry is on the ice with “his boys”, the 2014-15 Carmeuse Lime Ltd Minor Midget Rep team, who suffered two disappointing losses on the road this past week. Players know that Catry will use his honest approach to the game to give credit where credit is due and, where improvement is required, will make it noted.
Carmeuse has only one game this week, tomorrow night at Dorchester’s Flight Exec Centre, where they will meet the Dragons at 7:30 PM.