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Lea Lusk was recently named as the first-ever recipient of the Justine Pellman Memorial award. Pellman was a young female hockey player who was killed in a car accident three years ago. The Mid West Elite Hockey League established the award in honor of Pellman in the hopes of honoring someone who best combines hockey skills, academic achievements, leadership skills and a committment to community service.

Lusk, who plays for the Belle Tire AAA 14U girls hockey organization, was nominated for the award this year by her coach. Lusk, 14, has played for Belle Tire for the past four years

Lusk attended Bishop Kelley Catholic School during her grade school years and is currently in her freshman year at Otisville-LakeVille Memorial High School.

Lusk has been with the Belle Tire organization for the last four years. She was one of the critical pieces of a team that won the 2006 Michigan Amateur Hockey Association (MAHA) State Girls 12U Tier 2 Playoff Championship, was runner-up for the 2007 MAHA State Girls 14U State Tier 2 Playoff Championship and played for the 2008 MAHA 14U State Girls 14U Tier 1 Championship.

Lusk was named her team's the Most Valuable Player award at the MAHA State Tournament as well as winning the prestigious Canadian Silver Stick Tournament, which has been presented to her for the last four years. Lusk was Belle Tire's leading goal and point scorer in MWEHL play this season and was first on her team in both categories. During her time with Belle Tire, she has been well thought enough by her teammates and coaches to be appointed to both the positions of captain and alternate captain.

That is especially impressive when you take in account that she is not considered a vocal leader," Belle Tire coach ( ) said. "Rather, Lea lets her actions on the ice and in the locker room speak for her. She always puts the team goals ahead of her own as demonstrated by the fact that Belle Tire has asked her to play three different positions in three years and she have never asked the question 'Why?'. She is valuable enough to our current team to the point that we have asked her to play three different positions this year alone and is one of our key players that we put on the ice during critical moments of games.

"Her hard charging style on the ice makes her an asset to our team and also makes her very difficult for opponents to play against."

Lusk also competes in other sports. At LakeVille, she also plays basketball, volleyball and is the starting catcher on the varsity softball team. Lusk has won numerous awards for her academic performance as well. She has been on the Academic Athletic team at school for the last four years and is well on her way to making it a fifth year in a row.

Lea lives in Columbiaville with her older brother Nicholas and parents Keith and Lydia.

Andrew Selich is Sports Editor at The County Press. He can be reached at (810) 664-0811 ext. 8124 or andrew.selich@lapeergroup.com.