A Burnaby hockey product is being praised for her commitment to influencing the next generation of athletes.
Simone Duifhuis was recently bestowed with BC Hockey's humanitarian award for the first half of the 2023-24 season, representing the elite under-18 female AAA league (BCEHL).
The 17-year-old Greater Vancouver Comets captain was nominated by team staff and her recognition was ultimately decided by the general managers of the league.
"Simone has been extremely active within both the hockey community and the community at large," a statement read about Duifhuis from BC Hockey, the provincial governing body for the sport.
Duifhuis is a regular volunteer on and off the ice for the Vancouver Female Ice Hockey Association (VFIHA), including as a training and development coach with the under-15 team.
Her other volunteer work also includes Anvil Island Bible Camp, and as president of her high school's athletic committee with tasks that consist of scorekeeping and filming games.
BC Hockey added Duifhuis "played a pivotal role in raising awareness around the Comets' second annual Pink in the Rink game in support of the Forward Foundation."
With Greater Vancouver, Duifhuis has notched three assists and four points in 20 games this year. She currently leads the Comets with 32 penalty minutes.
The green, blue and white are third in the BCEHL at the holiday break with a record of 10-8-1-1.
