THE JOE BURKE AWARD: Presented annually to the person who has given outstanding contribution, support, and dedication to women’s ice hockey.

2008 Recipient: Maurice FitzMaurice, CT Polar Bears

“Fitz” has been instrumental in the development of Women’s Hockey at the youth level nationally. He has had numerous players graduate from his program and go on to have tremendous careers in college hockey at the DI and DIII levels.

In 1985, Maurice FitzMaurice’s daughter Marnie wanted the opportunity to play ice hockey along with a couple of other young girls. “Fitz” and a few other fathers decided to organize a Pee Wee Girls program; this created the Connecticut Polar Bears. Since 1985 the only all girl’s ice hockey program in Connecticut has grown to eleven teams.

For over 20 years FitzMaurice has been the President, maintained the program’s budget, coached the Midget program and organized one of the largest Christmas tournaments in North America. This year the tournament hosted about 275 teams, playing across Connecticut.

Fitz’s success is more in the philosophy of the program which is “excellence in education and athletics for women”. In the plus 20 years Fitz has been at the helm he has pushed the young women of the program to succeed in the classroom at many prestigious collegiate institutions. In addition, the program has produced  Olympians; Gretchen Ulion,Sue Merz, A.J. Mleczko, Julie Chu and Angela Ruggiero,Kim Insalaco and Jaime Hagerman.

NOTE: All of the awards will be presented at the AHCA Coach of the Year Banquet on the evening of April 26, except the Joe Burke Award, which will be presented at a special women’s coaches reception on April 23. Both events will take place at the Naples Beach Hotel and Golf Club in Naples, FL.

The Joe Burke Award

The Joe Burke Award was established in 1994 to honor those individuals who have shown great support and dedication to Girls/Women's hockey. Joe Burke has been an avid fan of Girls/Women's hockey since the late 70's. Joe Burke, a Dedham resident is a life-long hockey fan, who never actually played the game himself. He became hooked on the women's game when he attended the game vs. the University of New Hampshire and Boston College in 1978 at McHugh Forum. Since this game Joe can be seen at every major Girls/Women's hockey event in the New England area. He is a true friend of the women's game and the people associated with it.