Hockey playoff success can often be attributed to a hot goalie.
This winter the Tisdale Trojans had a strong regular season with a pair of standout netminders leading the way. In the auditorium of the Tisdale RECplex on Feb. 18, both Roddy Ross and Tanner Martin – as well as the young talent playing in front of them – were recognized at the team’s annual awards night.
Ross set a Trojans midget AAA record with a 1.86 goals against average. The Meadow Lake product was named the team’s MVP. Meanwhile St. Brieux native Martin established the Trojans’ single season shutout record with five. Martin was named the team’s Most Dedicated Player. Darrell Mann, the head coach, emphasized the importance of both goaltenders.
“To be honest, both of our goaltenders could have won MVP.”
MVP and Most Dedicated were two of the 13 awards handed out on the awards evening. It was held after the Trojans completed their regular season with a 3-1 win over Beardy’s.
“It was a great night,” Mann said. “To me, it is kind of a celebration of our regular season... We were able to celebrate a great regular season.”
After going to back-to-back Saskatchewan Midget AAAA Hockey League finals, the Tisdale team took to the ice this season with a very young, rookie-laden roster. The Trojans impressed by posting a 29-10-1-4 record and finished fourth in the SMAAAHL standings.
Often at awards night, one or two players dominate the proceedings. While some Trojans did win multiple awards, many different players were recognized for their talents and role in the team’s success.
“Lots of different guys got awards. It shows kind of the character that our team has,” said Mann, who noted that several awards were voted on by the players themselves.
With so much young talent, Rookie of the Year was definitely a hotly contested award. Eatonia’s Cade Haydes took home the honour as well as Most Points after pacing the squad with 36, including a team-high 19 goals.
“We have so many good rookies this year. It could have been one or a half dozen guys,” Mann said. “It definitely shows a bright future for our hockey club.”
Hayes and Ross shared the team’s Most Popular Player honour. As well, Ross was received the Peter Bladen Memorial Goaltender Award.
Captain Rhett Frey was a double award winner. The Weyburn product was named the Lake Foster Most Gentlemanly Player for the second straight year and won the Scholastic Award. While playing a hard game, Frey accumulated nine goals, 19 points, and only four penalty minutes.
“Rhett is a great leader for our hockey club,” Mann said. “He works. He competes... He is in there mixing it up all the time. To stay out of the penalty box and stay disciplined shows his leadership to our hockey club.”
For their abilities to deliver huge hits, Cudworth’s Kaden Kohle and Connor Hayward of Naicam shared the Old Dutch Big Crunch Award. Veteran defenceman Jordan Dasko of Balgonie was recognized for his work in Tisdale with the Volunteer Award for Community Involvement.
Fellow blue liner Landon Kosior of Regina was named Best Defensive Player. Estevan’s Liam Rutten, who had four points in the team’s last six games, took home Most Improved Player honours. The previous player to win that award – Colton Schell of Lampman – was recognized with the Hardest Working Player award.
The team also got to listen to advice from Roughrider Eddie Steele, who was there with some help from the Beeland Co-op.
