After failing to make the Saskatchewan Midget AAA Hockey League playoffs again, the Battlefords Midget Stars season came to an end earlier than they would have like, as the team handed out their awards at a banquet Saturday at the Civic Centre.
The Most Valuable Player award went to the team's captain Blake Young. Young's goal production dropped slightly this season with the Stars, but he had 15 more points than in his rookie season with 15 goals and 22 assists in 43 games. He is also in line to move on from the Stars' program to the junior ranks next season.
Carter Danczak earned two team awards - he won top scorer, as he had 25 goals and 23 assists in his final season of midget hockey. Danczak was also selected as the team's top forward.
The team's second leading scorer, Kihisis Derocher, came into camp at the beginning of the season as a bit of an unknown, but had a great first year with 18 goals and 21 points helping him earn the rookie of the year honour.
Another rookie forward, Austin Duzan, earned the most underrated player award. Duzan was an energy guy for the Stars playing in all situations this season. He picked up four goals and seven assists in 38 games as a rookie.
Tyson Empey, another rookie forward, earned the Stars' most improved player award. Empey had just four points through his first 16 games and had a much stronger second half producing 14 points in 27 games. He finished the season with nine goals and nine assists in 43 games.
The Stars also had three defenceman win awards. Robin Yew, was tied for the team lead in points by a defenceman with 14 and was selected as the team's top defenceman in his second season.
Garrett Zelinski was named the most dedicated player this season. The veteran defenceman dealt with injuries throughout the season, playing just 30 games, but did have two goals and four assists this season.
Brock Weston, one of two rookie defenceman this season for the Stars won the coaches' award. Weston tied Yew for defenceman points with three goals and 11 assists.
Veteran goalie Blair Mahon was the recipient of the Alan Welykochy Memorial award, which is presented to a player considered a leader, a good citizen, someone who keeps up his marks in school and is someone who is valuable on and off the ice. Mahon played in 32 games, the most in any of his three seasons with the Stars. He had one win, but often gave his team a chance to stay in games during his starts this season and he was key reason the Stars made it to overtime in their final three games of the season.
Mahon is one of seven players who will graduate from the program. The other 1994-born players include Danczak, Young, Zelinski, Brody Tatchell, Jordaan Braun and Reece Fenrich, who will be looking to extend their hockey careers after midget hockey.
"Player development is the main thing with this league," said Stars' board chairperson Bruce Yockey.
Yockey mentioned the win-loss record may not be what anyone hoped for, but the players improved throughout the season and the Stars' program should continue to be a springboard to junior hockey for many of the players.
A handful of Stars have already suited up with the North Stars of the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League this season and are with the North Stars during their playoff run. In the previous three seasons, the Stars have had three players come through the program and move on to the Western Hockey League. Nearly 17 players who have played with the Stars have played some games in the SJHL in three seasons. Two players play in the Alberta Junior Hockey League while two played in the Manitoba Junior Hockey League. One has found his way to the Superior International Junior Hockey League proving that despite the win-loss records in the team's recent history the program still produces elite hockey players.
The coaching staff and board wished the players the best of luck in the future and thanked everyone involved - parents, billets, volunteers, supporters and players.
Coach Lorne Nielsen mentioned the team has things to learn for next season, but he hopes to, "Provide an opportunity and a path to success," for all the players who pass through the system and are willing to learn and improve as Battlefords Stars.
Next on the agenda for the Stars is preparation for the spring camp in April.
