The Northern Ontario Hockey Association has created a new award to honour the late Ken Miller, who passed away in early January 2024.
The Ken Miller Memorial Award is given in honour of a man who held many roles in hockey, including serving as the NOHA Director of Officials and OHF Referee-in-Chief from 1988-1996, and OHL Officiating Manager/Director of Security.
The award goes to an official who plays a valuable role in the officiating program within their district, a supervisor who is always willing to go out and supervise younger Officials, or a person who has assisted with the assigning, instruction, and administration at Development Camps.
See related: Respected cop, sportsman Ken Miller passes
Stacy Jackson who looked up to Miller as a police officer and a hockey official, was given the award by the NOHA.
"To be the first recipient of this award brings immense pride and a heavy heart," Jackson told BayToday.
"I met Ken when I was 15 years old, over 30 years of a friendship that grew through a love of hockey and an immense respect for him."
Jackson says he learned so much from Ken both on and off the ice.
"Respect and integrity were just some of the qualities that he taught officials and those skills are transferable in anything you do in life. My favourite quote from Ken was 'Silence can never be misquoted,' I use this when supervising officials today," said Jackson.
"Ken always made you want to be a better official but helped you plan a path to do so. He has had such an influence on so many people and even though he's no longer with us, his legacy and impact on the game of hockey will remain with us forever."
Miller, a big Montreal Canadiens fan, was well-known and respected by members of the Ontario Hockey Federation, the Northern Ontario Hockey Association, and the Ontario Hockey League for his dedicated work as a referee and for his years of executive service.
He was inducted into the North Bay Sports Hall of Fame in 2008.
See related: Respected cop, sportsman Ken Miller passes
The Northern Ontario Hockey Association felt Jackson was the right man to win the first Ken Miller Memorial Award.
"Stacy Jackson has long been an important member of the NOHA Officiating community, serving as an Official, Officiating Coach, Instructor, Referee-in-Chief, and Director of Officials over the past 30 years," the NOHA stated in a release.
"He has been a mentor to the Officials of District Five, and embodies all the qualities Ken Miller espoused in great Officiating, leadership, and friendship."
The inaugural Ken Miller Memorial Award was given to Stacy Jackson of North Bay. Ken's daughter, Sarah Miller, was there to help present it.
