Staff
Winning a regular-season championship is a sure-fire way to increase one’s chances at getting some major accolades.
Five members of the first-place Fort Frances Lakers were announced Tuesday as finalists for the SIJHL’s year-end awards.
Forward Lucas DeBenedet will get a second chance at the league’s top individual honour as he’s one of three nominees for the Amyotte’s Awards & Promotions Most Valuable Player award.
DeBenedet was up for MVP last season but lost to Daniel Del Paggio of the Thunder Bay North Stars—despite being named ahead of Del Paggio for the CCM Rookie-of-the-Year honour.
And the International Falls product will be in tough again this season as he goes up against SIJHL scoring leader Cole Golka (Dryden GM Ice Dogs) and Jason Reynolds (Minnesota Iron Rangers).
Nathan Park, meanwhile, will battle Tate Sproxton (Ice Dogs) and Greg Harney (English River Miners) for the top goalie award.
Wyatt Cota will take on Reynolds and Kris Kellaway (Thunder Bay North Stars) in the best defensive forward category.
Lakers’ captain Miles Nolan is pitted against Noah Anderson (Iron Rangers) and Brett Wolframe (North Stars) for most improved player.
Finally, Lakers’ head coach Wayne Strachan is up against Kurt Wahlsten (Ice Dogs) and Jeremy Adduono (North Stars) for coach of the year.
The other categories include:
•CCM Rookie of the Year—Troy Williams (Ice Dogs), Alex Maticic (Miners), and Bradley Belisle (North Stars);
•Gongshow Gear best defenceman—Troy Williams, Anderson, and Tim Cavar (North Stars); and
•most sportsmanlike player—Kyle Pouncy (Ice Dogs), Evan Erickson (Iron Rangers), and Matthias Gardiman (North Stars).
The awards will be announced gradually over the coming weeks.
