Pistons earn Declaration of Principles Award

Courtesy of Steinbach Pistons:

The Steinbach Pistons organization received a tremendous honour Wednesday morning, as the CJHL announced the team has won the prestigious 2018-19 Canadian Junior Hockey League Declaration of Principles award.

The Pistons were recognized amongst all 132 member clubs and 10 leagues that make up the CJHL.

The Declaration of Principles was created by the NHL and the NHL Player’s Association to inspire fans, players, and communities to create the best possible experience for the entire hockey community. The CJHL along with 17 other hockey organizations around the world that partnered together to launch this initiative.

“We are encouraged by the strengthening of the outreach, that many of our members have undertaken, since the commitment, presented in the Declaration of Principles was adopted by hockey’s 17 major organizations,” CJHL president Brent Ladds said in a statement. “The CJHL and our 10 member Leagues continue to endorse the beliefs of the doctrine. We can only hope that the initiative will continue, and the marriage between our members, and the causes within their communities, continues to grow, much like it has in Steinbach, with the Pistons.”

The Pistons players volunteered 1,300 hours of their time during the 2018/19 season to connect with Steinbach and the surrounding communities, including partnering with enVision, packing food hampers for Southeast Helping Hands during Christmas, volunteering in elementary schools, raking leaves and shoveling snow, participating in minor hockey, and participating in the Hockey Gives Blood campaign.

“The role played by the Manitoba Junior Hockey League clubs in their respective communities is an important one,” MJHL Commissioner Kim Davis said in a statement. “Each of our clubs help their towns/regions generate energy that assists the community in doing good work to benefit others. This is especially evident with the Steinbach Pistons over their history in the league. They embody the MJHL’s community minded focus and have quite obviously demonstrated the key objectives of the Declaration of Principles.”

‘We were thrilled and humbled by the announcement that we had won the award,” Head Coach/GM Paul Dyck commented. “I am proud of the contributions that our players have made within our community and how they have taken advantage of the platform they have been given to make a difference in the lives of people of all ages in Steinbach.”

The Pistons will be presented the 2018-19 CJHL Declaration of Principles Award prior to their 2019 Home Opener this Friday against the Winkler Flyers.

The Declaration of Principles:

  • Hockey should be an enjoyable family experience; all stakeholders – organizations, players, parents, siblings, coaches, referees, volunteers and rink operators – play a role in this effort.
  • Hockey’s greatest value is the role it plays in the development of character and life skills.
  • All hockey organizations – regardless of size or level of competition – bring value to players and families in their ability to deliver a positive family experience.
  • Physical activity is important for a healthy body, mind and spirit.
  • There are significant benefits of youth participation in multiple sports.
  • Hockey programs should be age-appropriate for all players, accounting for each individual’s physical, emotional and cognitive development.
  • There is great value in all forms of hockey, both on and off the ice.
  • All hockey programs should provide a safe, positive and inclusive environment for players and families regardless of race, color, religion, national origin, gender, age, disability, sexual orientation and socio-economic status. Simply put, hockey is for everyone.