Local hockey player Shawn Gervais was recently named Coach of the Year for his dedication to the Peace River Royals. After three years of coaching the Elite AA hockey team of the Rural Alberta Midget Hockey League (RAMHL), Gervais explains that a great foundation has been set by the players and the executive. “It is an honor (to be named coach of the year), but coaching in itself is the biggest honor,” says Gervais. “I’ll do whatever I can for the game.” Gervais explains that through the Royals assistant coaches Ronald Roy and Larry Witchen, the team has developed great chemistry which has led them to the playoff finals. The Royals are currently battling the Camrose Kodiaks in the playoff finals. They are (as of publishing) down two games to one in the five game series. Training camp for the RAMHL season starts in early Sept. and requires coach dedication until the end of March. Gervais says that he is ready to dedicate at least one more year to the Royals. “We have had a successful season,” says Gervais of the Royals. “Spending time coaching the guys is definitely worth the three years of commitment.” In the 32 game season, the Royals managed to only lose five of the games. “I really have to thank Albert Blanchette for pushing me into coaching,” says Gervais. “If it weren’t for him I would probably never have coached the Royals and in turn never been given this recognition.” Gervais’ personal hockey experience includes playing in the British Columbia Junior Hockey League, Central Hockey League (CHL) and the Western Hockey League (WHL). More recently he has been playing in the North Peace Hockey League (NPHL) for the Falher Pirates. His dedication to hockey extends to being an arena manager for the Falher Recreation Complex. “Falher Arena is my home,” he explains saying that the Royals were also able to practice once each week at the rink. “It, along with the town, is why I have coached and been committed to local hockey.”