For Battlefords North Stars defenceman Kendall Fransoo, his main goal for the 2016-17 season is to help his team win a Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League title.
Although the captain is more focused on group accolades, he was pleasantly surprised Saturday night when he received the most valuable player and top defenceman trophies during the team’s year-end awards ceremony, which was held prior to their regular season finale against the Kindersley Klippers.
“It’s always nice to get that recognition from the team and the coaches,” Fransoo said. “At the end of the day though, if it wasn’t for the group of guys that we have here, those awards wouldn’t mean as much to me.
“Going into the year we wanted to be first in the regular season standings, and we were able to achieve that. Now is when the real deal starts and we’re focused on that.”
In his fifth and final season with his hometown team, Fransoo had career highs in scoring with 10 goals and 23 points.
His 33 points in 54 games tied him with Connor Sych for the most among North Stars blueliners.
“He’s embraced the leadership role this year and he’s the type of guy that commands respect from his teammates and from the other guys in the league,” North Stars associate coach Braeden Johnson said.
Fransoo also won the team’s top defenceman award last season.
A first year player from North Battleford also received accolades, as forward Owen Lamb was named the team’s most improved player.
Following two seasons with the Battlefords Midget AAA Stars, Lamb made a successful jump into the SJHL as he put up 19 points in 51 games to finish third on the team in rookie scoring.
“Owen’s a fearless guy,” North Stars head coach and general manager Nate Bedford said. “I don’t think I’ve seen him grimace once since I came here.
“Over the course of the season, we’ve played him in all three positions at forward and his versatility is going to make him a great player at this level.”
The North Stars dynamic duo in between the pipes were rewarded for their fine play, as Taryn Kotchorek was named the team’s most dedicated player and Joel Grzybowski received the rookie of the year award.
“Whether he’s playing or not, Taryn’s the first one to the rink on game day and he’s dialed in as soon as he arrives,” Bedford said. “He’s the most competitive guy in every practice and he really embodies what our team is all about.”
“Joel hasn’t looked back since he made his very first start for us,” Johnson added. “For me, the way that he can control a game and read how the play is developing at a young age is remarkable.”
In the second season for his hometown club, Kotchorek had a 27-3-0 record with a 1.61 goals against average and five shutouts.
Grzybowski, who is from Hafford and is a prospect of the Western Hockey League’s Saskatoon Blades, compiled a 21-4-1 mark with six shutouts and a 1.66 goals against average.
Assistant captain Logan Nachtegaele was saluted for his work within the community, as the third-year forward from North Battleford received the humanitarian award.
“Logan has a huge heart and it was great to see the team recognize him for that,” Johnson said.
“He’s always willing to jump in for events that take place around the area and he knows the importance of being a role model for the younger hockey players in the community, as he was once in that position.”
For the second straight year, Layne Young was named the team’s most popular player, as he received 40 per cent of the fans’ votes.
The Frenchman Butte product had 71 points in 53 games, which was just one marker off of the team’s leading scorer Coby Downs.
Earlier in the week, two North Stars players were named to the SJHL’s all-rookie team.
Grzybowski was named the top freshman netminder, while Ben Allen was joined at forward by Notre Dame’s Adam Dawe and Estevan’s Michael McChesney.
Tyler Heidt of Melfort and Josh McDougall of Nipawin made up the blueline.
