This week the prestigious Youthmark awards were held in Invercargill and the recipient for this year was the super talented Finn Hellyer-Waihape.
Finn's love for ice hockey began with a trip to the Gore rink with his Nan. Joining the Gore Grizzlies in 2018 provided all the encouragement he needed. That same year, Finn was selected for the Southern Thunder, winning U15 and U18 national titles with the team as he developed.
In the pursuit of higher honours, Finn traveled twice weekly to Dunedin to practice and play. He also participated in high-performance camps and tournaments at home and overseas. Today, he proudly plays for the Rangers in the Queenstown Premier League.
As a right defenseman, Finn is a dominant presence on the ice, using his speed, agility, and physicality to block shots, check the opposition, protect the goal, and gain possession of the puck for his team.
The pinnacle of Finn's ice hockey journey so far was representing New Zealand in the IIHF U18 World Championship in Istanbul—a testament to his hard work, dedication and travel.
Finn’s motto is “Don’t take no for an answer” and this perfectly reflects his determination to further represent his country as an Ice Black. Away from the rink, Finn aims to gain an apprenticeship and become a qualified builder.
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