By michael hayakawa

But the 17-year-old Stouffville resident had never received a citation for being a leader.

That all changed during last week's Whitchurch-Stouffville Minor Hockey Association's annual general meeting when Hewlett was selected as the 2008-09 recipient of the Dan McNeil award.

Dan McNeil, was a 19-year-old association graduate when he died in a car crash in 1992 returning from a game with his new team, the Uxbridge Jr. C Bruins. The award is presented to a player of bantam age or older who stands out due to leadership, sportsmanship and involvement in the community.

Playing this past season as a forward for the association's Front Street midget-juvenile house league team, Hewlett said he was caught off-guard when informed about one week prior to the meeting he was this year's winner.

"Out of all the players to be chosen, I thought there might have been other players who could have won the award," Hewlett said. "But it's a real honour. It's nice to be recognized in being a leader and having a good attitude on the ice."

Hewlett's nomination was made by his coaches, Dean McMurtry and Rick Lee.

"Some of the qualities we admire in Brad is that he always has a positive attitude. Brad's physical challenges are not an obstacle to his enthusiasm, and obvious love of the game," McMurtry and Lee noted in their endorsement of Hewlett. "One of his favourite sayings is that he sees himself as 'more of a playmaker than a goal scorer, kind of a set-up guy,' but we know that elusive goal is just one play away. It is obvious that all the players enjoy the camaraderie on and off the ice with Brad, by the way they interact with him."

When Hewlett wasn't playing for his house league team, he assisted the Clippers midget A team, which includes his twin brother Brent, during their practice sessions.

"He is on the ice getting pucks, setting up the obstacles, pretty much whatever they need him to do. Brad is one of those players that makes a team. He definitely stands out among the crowd," McMurtry and Lee wrote.

"Brad water skis, snow skis, snowmobiles and not one to miss an opportunity, is pretty well up for any challenge that comes his way," they wrote.

A Grade 11 student at Stouffville District Secondary School, Hewlett wants to attend college and then apprentice with his father, Steve Hewlett, who is a general contractor.

Also given out during the annual general meeting was the President's Award, which went to Schell Lumber.

The award is presented to an individual or organization making significant contributions to the association.

Cousins Ron and Steve Schell, both association alumni, accepted on behalf of the Edward Street business.