Press Release
The SIJHL announced yesterday that Blake Boaz of the Fort Frances Lakers has been named the league’s best defensive forward for the 2010-11 season.
The 19-year-old native of MacGregor, Man. edged out Riley Marsh (Thunder Bay North Stars) and Jesse Linner (Dryden Ice Dogs) in voting done by the SIJHL’s six member clubs.
This marks the first time in the 10-year history of the league that a player from a Fort Frances-based team has captured the award outright.
Mitch Cain, with the Fort Frances Jr. Sabres in 2008-09, and Josh Baxter, of the Borderland Thunder in the SIJHL’s inaugural campaign of 2001-02, both were co-recipients of the honour.
A veteran of 101 games, Boaz is now in his second season in the SIJHL.
The versatile forward also has produced offensively, as well, in 2010-11, currently sitting third overall in assists with 35 and 15th in total points with 44.
Tyler Stevenson already was named as the league’s most sportsmanlike player for the 2010-11 season.
Other awards previously handed out were for best defenceman (John Mitchell of the Dryden Ice Dogs), most improved player (Sam Dubinsky of the Thunder Bay North Stars), and rookie of the year (Austin Adduono of the Wisconsin Wilderness).
Awards still to be present include top goalie, player-of-the-year/MVP, and top coach.
Tyler Ampe and Byron Katapaytuk of the Lakers are in the running for the first two while Wayne Strachan has been nominated in the coaching category.
