The Yorkton Terriers were well-represented when the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League announced its 2010-'11 awards.
Leading the way were team Captain Blaine Tendler and head coach Trent Cassan. Tendler was named Defenceman of the Year, while Cassan, in his first full season as head coach is among three finalists for Coach of the Year honours.
Tendler, 20, is from Viceroy, SK., and in his second season with the Terriers after spending time in the Western Hockey League. He had 27 points in 47 games this year, and was a veteran presence on a rather young defensive group.
The award was one Tendler was a little surprised I got it," he said. "It's a honour, and something to be proud of."
That said, Tendler noted, "any time you have team success then individuals get recognized."
In Tendler's own case, his season was cut short as he missed the final month with an injury.
"I was happy how things were going. We had a good team and things were going good," he said.
Certainly Tendler was seen as a leader on the team, having been handed the Captain's 'C' at the start of the season. He said that responsibility was something he accepted easily.
"There was no pressure at all. I just go out there and play, do what I do, and try to lead by example," he said.
Part of Tendler's role was leading a lot of new faces into the fold this season.
"Obviously we lost some key guys coming into this year. Honestly coming into this year I wasn't sure what to expect," he said. "But, as a group I thought we handled it well."
In the case of the Terrier blueline, Tendler said they came together in workman-like fashion.
"It's a lunchbox crew back there We take pride in stopping goals, and let the forwards take care of the offence," he said.
As for Tendler's injury, he said it hasn't been easy watching from the stands.
"It's very frustrating, but it could be a lot worse if we weren't winning," he said. "You never want to sit, but at the same time we're having some success."
And, Tendler said he will soon be back on the ice.
"I'll be back," he said, adding he wants to help take the Terriers back to the league final. " Coming up short last year makes us that much more determined to do it."
Tendler was also selected to the SJHL's First Team All Stars, where he is joined by Terrier trade deadline pick up Jeremy Boyer named as a forward.
For Cassan being up for Coach of the Year honours is something he takes in his usual quiet fashion.
"It's certainly pretty humbling to be selected by your peers," he said, adding to be on the final ballot with the likes of Humboldt's Dean Brockman and Bob Beatty from LaRonge means a lot. "They've been in the league a long time and are really classy guys."
Cassan, who was a former three-year Terrier player before returning to coach, was also quick to share the honour, suggesting such a nomination only comes with team success and that comes from having quality people around him. He pointed to assistant coach Dan McKay, manager Don Chesney, scout Gary Carson and trainer Riley Rice, as being important to both the team, and his success.
And, then there's the players.
Cassan said as a head coach you can only tell them so much, and try and teach some things, but ultimately, "they have to go out and play and believe in what you're saying."
Three Terrier rookies also earned honours.
Zak Majkowski received Honorable Mention, behind Nipawin's Eli Lichtenwald as the SJHL Rookie of the Year. Majkowski was also one of three forwards selected to the leagues All-Rookie Team.
Majkowski, a 1992-born forward from Trail, B.C. had 21 goals in his first SJHL season in 52 games.
Majkowski was joined on the All-Rookie team by teammates, goaltender Warren Shymko, and 17-year-old defenseman Devon McMullen.
