Josh McDougall received four out of 17 awards presented at the Nipawin Hawks’ awards banquet, including Most Valuable Player and Top Scorer.
He also received the Best Offensive Defenseman and Second Star Overall awards. Most of the awards presented were decided by a vote conducted by fellow teammates.
“It’s great that they think highly of me,” he said during the March 10 event. “We have a great group of guys. I’m just really honoured to accept these awards.”
Carter Doerksen, the team’s captain, received two awards: the Best Defensive Defenseman and the Clark Froehlich Community Service Award.
“I’m not the kind of guy that likes all the attention,” he said. “I just go out and do my job, so it’s nice my teammates hold me in that regard for sure.”
Doerksen said he likes doing community service because the community gives so much to the team.
“What we give back is just a fraction of what we get from the community, so whenever we can go out and help and do stuff, it’s a pleasure.”
He also received the unofficial No Pain, No Gain award from the team’s doctor, Dr. Albert Albertyn, due to his injuries.
Michael Grant received the Most Popular Player award, one that’s selected by the fans.
“It was a bit of a surprise. I didn’t really see it coming. I didn’t really know it was an award, either,” the right-winger said. “It’s pretty cool, to be recognized by the fans.”
The other 10 awards were presented to one player each.
McDougall said the award banquet was an all-around good evening.
“You get to sit down with family, your billets, your teammates and just have a good night recognizing some [players].”
Grant agreed.
“It’s good to celebrate. We had a really good season and it’s nice to get away from the rink. It’s been a bit of a grind lately. It’s just fun to have everybody out.”
While Doerksen was also happy to relax, his mind was on the upcoming playoffs.
“This is nice, but now the real season has begun and playoffs is an whole other story,” he said. “That will be the real test and hanging a banner, that would be something really cool for the community for sure and it’s long overdue.”
McDougall said he’d trade all of his awards if it meant the Hawks could win the championship. Grant said the team would keep doing what it has been doing to prepare.
“I think we can do it, definitely, and our goal is to go to the RBC, so hopefully we can do that.”
Award winners
Most Valuable Player: Josh McDougall
Most Popular: Michael Grant
Top Scorer: Josh McDougall
Most Underrated Player: Chad McCartney
Rookie of the Year: Jake Tremblay
Most Gentlemanly Player: Jeremy Bisson
Best Defensive Defenseman: Carter Doerksen
Best Offensive Defenseman: Josh McDougall
Most Dedicated: Brett Harasymuk
Most Improved: Austin Mikesch
Rushmer Memorial Best Defensive Player: Grant Baetsen
Graham Christie Memorial Most Inspirational: Daven Smith
Hardest Worker: Logan Casavant
Clark J. Froehlich Community Service Award: Carter Doerksen
First Star Overall: Brandan Arnold
Second Star Overall: Josh McDougall
Third Star Overall: Jake Anthony
No Pain, No Gain: Carter Doerksen
