Staff
Jared Virtanen and Dylan Kooner were the only Lakers to get consideration for the SIJHL’s year-end awards.
Virtanen, who still leads the league in assists with 52 and is fourth in points with 74, is up for the Mallon’s Corporate Impressions/Play It Again Sports Most Valuable Player award against SIJHL scoring leader Braeden Allkins of Dryden (93) and Nicholas Nigro (55).
The 20-year-old from Abbotsford, B.C. also is in the running for best defensive forward along with Nic Noseworthy (Dryden) and Brett Wolframe (Thunder Bay).
Kooner, his linemate and fellow 20-year-old Abbotsford product, is in the mix for the most sportsmanlike player.
The Lakers’ captain, who has just 14 penalty minutes in 53 games this season, is up against Dryden’s Jacen Bracko (six PIM in 54 games) and Brad Thrower (50 PIM in 50 games).
In other award categories, the CCM Hockey Best Defenceman is up for grabs between Tristan Knott (Dryden), Trever Pereverzoff (English River), and Ryan Walsh (Thunder Bay).
The top goalie will be chosen among Patrick Zubick (Dryden), Michael Lenko (English River), and Ryan Buttazzoni (Thief River Falls).
Eric Stout (Dryden), Michal Di Lullo (English River), and Connor Smith (Thief River Falls) are vying for the CCM Hockey Rookie of the Year.
The most improved player will be selected from Braedyn Aubin (Dryden), Dante Tisi (English River), and Thrower.
Kurt Walsten (Dryden), Cole Workman (Thief River Falls), and Jeremy Adduono (Thunder Bay) are the nominees for top coach.
The winners will be announced in the coming days.
