After one of the most successful Battlefords Midget Stars' season in recent memory the team definitely had many things to be proud of as the program moves forward.
The success of the team was largely due to the commitment, dedication and attitudes of the players this season and many of them received personal awards at the team's year end luncheon and awards banquet March 16.
For the first time in years the Stars handed out tournament and playoff MVP awards. The winners were forward Regan Yew and Rylan Toth for their play in the Mac's Tournament in December in Calgary and the three-game playoff series with the Saskatoon Contacts. Yew had three assists in three playoff games while Toth started all three games and had a .899 save percentage in the playoffs.
The team also handed out a team MVP award for the season and that was shared between veteran forward Austin Duzan and defenceman, and captain, Robin Yew. Duzan was tied for the team lead in goals with 19 in 42 games this season, his second with the Stars. Yew had two goals and 14 assists in 37 games. He was sidelined mid-season with an injury, but quickly recovered to help stabilize the defensive core.
The lone dual award winner for the Stars was Maxim Powiada. Powiada played his final year of midget hockey as a first year Star. He won the Alan Welykochy Award, which combines hockey, education and citizenship into the selection process. The other award for the defenceman, who finished the season with five goals and nine assists in 34 games, was the team's Most Dedicated Award. Powiada also received a scholarship at the Mac's Tournament earlier this season.
The Stars' Rookie of the Year Award was split between Spencer Bast and Josh Bly. Bly led the team in points with 40 in 43 games and also was presented with the team's Top Scorer Award. Bast was tied for third on the team in points with 35 and tied for first with 19 goals.
From one Bast to another, the Coaches' Award was presented to Dustin Bast based on the premises of leadership and being a team player. Bast was also in his first season with the Stars and final year of midget eligibility.
The Most Improved Player for the Stars this season was Brian Hillis. Hillis, another first year Star, had five goals and nine assists in 41 games this season. He had a strong second half of the season, as he one point in the first 19 games then notched 13 points in the next 19 games.
The final award presented was to the team's most underrated player. Rookie Ryan Frehlick was the winner of the underrated award. Frehlick was fifth on the team in points with 13 goals and 12 assists while playing in all 44 games.
The Stars also said good-bye to graduating players Dustin Bast, Robin Yew, Regan Yew, Terrin Belosowsky, Eric Pfeifer, Kent Walchuk, Duzan, Hillis, Frehlick and Powiada. Ten players are eligible to return next season.
Along with a great season for the players it was a great season for the coaching staff, as head coach Martin Smith was named the Saskatchewan Midget AAA Hockey League's Coach of the Year. He had a great staff by his side in assistant Jody Reiter, video and goalie coach Jean Fauchon, trainer Ryan Haggard and manager Shawn Robinson.
Stars chairperson Bruce Yockey also thanked corporate sponsors, volunteers Cheri Lynch, Tyler Beach, Jim Precesky, Tyler Loewen and Neil Gamble and the team billets.
Smith and his staff have little time to relax and look back on the season, as scouting has already begun and spring camp is slated for April 18 to 21.
