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Sportsperson and Athlete of the Year award winners announced

Oct 19, 2011 | 7:42 AM

Long-time local hockey coach Kim Dryka has been named as the Sportsperson of the year, while former Carlton Crusader basketball star Dalyce Emmerson has been awarded with Female Athlete of the Year.

The two were announced as winners of the Kinsmen-Raider-900 CKBI Sportsman & Athletes of the Year on Wednesday.

Dryka has been coaching Tier I hockey for the past 22 years, including a 10 year stint with the Midget AA Thunder. He's now in his first year as an assistant coach with the PA Icehawks of the PJHL.

He said he was honoured to receive the award.

“I thought it was pretty exciting, it’s an honour of course to be selected as a winner, there for sure,” Dryka said.

“Overtime, you have a big impact on the kids just because you’re with them for so long over the years. As they grow to be adults, I still play ball with quite a few of them and they’re still phoning me for advice and references and stuff like that.

“Over time, you make great friends out there and they’re always cherishing every moment.”

Emmerson was a multisport star at her time in Carlton, but excelled the most in basketball, leading the senior girls Crusaders to a provincial gold medal at Hoopla in 2010 and fourth place finish in 2011.

She is continuing her basketball career this year as a rookie post for the University of Saskatchewan Huskies.

No Male Athlete of the Year trophy will be awarded this year as none of the nominations qualified, said the Kinsmen press release.

The ceremony will take place Nov. 5 at Ches Leach Lounge.

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