By Whitney Buettner

Ryland Gibb, the newest recipient of the Max Clunie Award

Mar 29, 2013 | 3:51 PM

The memory of an avid sport’s player from Prince Albert lives on through a hockey award for a second year.

Ryland Gibb, of the Midget Canadians, was presented with the Max Clunie Award prior to the Midget City Final Championship game at the Kinsmen Arena Thursday night.

The award, in memory of Max Clunie, who was killed in a plane crash nearly two summers ago, is given to the player who excelled in leadership qualities, determination and never losing heart.

Gibb shined during his hockey season with these qualities.

Clunie and Gibb were good friends and teammates for the PA River Riders. After the news of Clunie’s death, Gibb was left with more of a positive impact.

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“He just was a great leader, like I could just say a million things about him. He just influenced me on the football field really,” Gibb said. “And [it’s] just a great honour to win this.”

Gibb hopes to be as good of a leader as Clunie was and will keep Clunie’s mark going.

Frank Suchorab, former coach of Clunie’s, said he would have joined the midget hockey league in Prince Albert.

Suchorab and his co-sponsoring partner, Kevin Mugford, decided it was best to keep the award for Clunie’s aged peers.

“We kept it in the Midget House League Division simply because you hear about the Mintos and the AA Raiders, those are midget teams, and you never hear about midget house,” Suchorab said.

The game wrapped up with the PA Sharks defeating the Canadians with a final score of 6-3.

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On Twitter: @w_buettner