VAUGHAN, ON | April 14, 2026 – The Schwartz/Reisman Centre was filled with energy last night as the JCC Warriors Select hockey program hosted its annual season-ending banquet. Players, coaches, and families gathered on April 13 to reflect on a season defined by athletic development, team chemistry, and community spirit.

The evening offered a high-energy, casual atmosphere for the athletes, featuring a buffet of fan-favorites including burgers and sliders, alongside a photobooth and interactive stations for popcorn and cotton candy. The festivities began with an opening welcome from Stephen Rain, followed by a keynote address from Eric Sklar, who highlighted the program's commitment to fostering both skill and character on the ice.

“This banquet is about more than just trophies; it’s a celebration of the hours of hard work these players put in since September,” said Stephen Rain. “Seeing the bonds formed between teammates and the individual progress of every skater in this room is what makes the Warriors program so special. Every player here should be incredibly proud of how they represented the jersey this year.”

The centerpiece of the night was the presentation of the 2025-2026 Season Awards. Each team took the stage to recognize individuals who demonstrated exceptional skill, leadership, and dedication.

2025-2026 Award Recipients:

• U8 Select: Jordan Zambri (Warrior Award), Avrumy Blum (MVP), Nathan Minicucci (Most Improved)
• U9 Select: Cooper Davidson (Warrior Award), Lucas Ciufo (MVP), Blake Spitzen (Most Improved)
• U11 Select: Kaleb Benquesus (Warrior Award), Avi Fridman (MVP), Benjamin Popik (Most Dedicated), Brody Preskow (Leadership)
• U12 Select: Kaleb Blum (Warrior Award), Yaakov Crombie (MVP), Avi Wald (Most Improved)
• U13 Blue Select: Shloimy Antebi (Warrior Award), Motti Jacobs (MVP), Lavi Handlarski (Most Improved)
• U13 White Select: Matteo Papa (Warrior Award), Shmuel Fridman (MVP), Miles Gordon (Most Improved)
• U15 Select: Grayson Copeland (Warrior Award), Dylan Patterson (MVP), Isaac Betsalel (Leadership)
• U16 Select: Shea Rotstein (Warrior Award), Ryan Shupak (MVP), Ari Gold (Leadership)
• U18 Select: Benji Salsberg (Warrior Award), Ethan Toledano (MVP), Simon Sookman (Leadership)

The JCC Warriors organization extends a heartfelt thank you to the coaches, parents, and volunteers who made the 2025-2026 season possible.

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