First James Berg Memorial Scholarship awarded to Sam Walker

The late James Berg continues to have an impact in the Niagara-on-the-Lake community almost two years after his sudden death at 53 years old.

The family of the long-time executive and volunteer with the NOTL Wolves Minor Hockey Club held a tournament in his name during a snowy December weekend in 2022. Last week, the proceeds from the James Berg Memorial Hockey Tournament were distributed back into the community in his name. 

The Berg family gathered with current club executives outside the arena last Tuesday to present a cheque for $4,500 to the Wolves. Also present was 18-year-old Sam Walker, who received the first James Berg Memorial Scholarship of $1,000.

“We created an educational scholarship to go to somebody in their last year of hockey,” said Madison Berg, James’ daughter. “My Dad was a very generous, caring guy who loved giving back to his community. We wanted this scholarship to go to someone who embodied that dedication to the community.”

An NOTL native, James Berg joined the hockey club’s executive in 2010, despite not having been a hockey player himself. He held the role of president early on, and took on a number of other roles through the years. 

As his children Mackenzie, Madison and Mitchell began playing hockey in town, he also assumed roles with their teams. Current club president Pete Flynn credited Berg for being instrumental in “saving hockey” in NOTL. 

Despite a snowstorm that made travel almost impossible last December 23, about 100 players and dozens of spectators and supporters showed up for the first James Berg Memorial Hockey Tournament at the Meridian Credit Union and Centennial Arenas. The eight teams squared off to win bragging rights and a team set of t-shirts, at the same time raising $5,500 through entry fees, concession sales and donations.

“The stands were packed,” Berg’s daughter Madison told The Local at the time. “The snow was crazy, but the whole community really came out. There were people all over the arena. It was so amazing to see how busy it was.”

The donation to the hockey club will be used primarily to develop young goaltenders who play for the Wolves. 

“We want to bring a little more on-ice goalie development to each team,” Flynn said. “We want to bring someone in to work with each team at their own practices, an hour at a time, on edging and skating. It’s for the development of both rep and local league goalies.”

The family decided that some of the proceeds of the tournament would be awarded as a scholarship to a young Wolves player in their final year of high school. The recipient would have played for the Wolves for at least the past three years and be intending to pursue post-secondary studies. 

Most importantly, the chosen player should have demonstrated qualities similar to James Berg’s. In the application for the award, James is described as a selfless man who constantly put others before himself, giving back to the community in any way possible. 

“He was a very positive figure in all aspects of his life,” says the scholarship description, “encouraging and uplifting others to constantly be their absolute best. James always had a friendly, supportive spirit and was a leader in the community. He was never a superstar or looked to have the attention on himself, but rather he was a guy who genuinely enjoyed bringing everyone together.”

Walker was chosen from a group of four applicants to receive the first James Berg Memorial Scholarship. 

“His application was really well-written,” said Madison, “and the qualities that he displayed really matched Dad the best. Like Dad, he dedicated his time to the community and his willingness to help out any way possible was amazing. 

Walker was a member of last year’s Wolves Under-18 rep team that won a silver medal in the Niagara District Hockey League (NDHL) championships. Despite having to sit out the last month or so of the season with a broken wrist, Walker was there at every game and practice for his teammates. 

His tenure with the Wolves goes far beyond the minimum three years required for the scholarship, having played in the NOTL organization since he was five years old. Walker gave back to the club as a referee and helped current club vice president Joe Pagnotta as an assistant coach with a team a few years ago.

“He was a huge help with our referee program,” Flynn said Tuesday. “And he put in so many hours helping out in the box as a timekeeper, too.”

“This scholarship means a lot to me,” the honours graduate of Holy Cross Catholic Secondary School told The Local, “and not just for the money. I had (James Berg) coach me for one year. He was a great guy to have on the bench. Just to be recognized for some of the qualities he had, that’s a pretty high accomplishment.”

Walker leaves for the University of Guelph next week where he will be studying marine and freshwater biology. He hopes to eventually work in research. 

And despite having now aged out of the Wolves system, Walker says his hockey days are definitely not over. He’s planning to play intramural hockey at university once that starts up. 

Meanwhile, the Bergs are already busy planning the next James Berg Memorial Hockey Tournament. They are hoping to hold it the last Friday before Christmas Day, and are working with the town’s parks and recreation department on nailing down ice time for the event.