Starting with the rookie of the year award won by Dustin McAleer and ending with the Sask West Hockey League playoffs' most valuable player trophy going to Cory Grant, a total of 11 awards were handed out at the Unity Miners' Awards Night March 28.
The Miners had claimed the SWHL championship the weekend before, sweeping the best-of-five series against the Lloydminster Border Kings.
Forward Behn Robertson was the biggest winner of the evening, taking home plaques as the Miners' top scorer, season MVP and best defensive forward. Robertson shared the season MVP award with goalie Cory Grant.
Best defenceman went to Bobby Davey, while Brett Mosher was this year's Unsung Hero. Dillon Belliveau was named the most improved player. The most sportsmanlike player award was won by Cody McCubbing.
Captain Adam Shirley was chosen by the players as most popular, while the coach and executive chose his brother Michael Shirley as the winner of the perseverance and dedication award.
With the Miners finishing the SWHL regular season in fifth place with a 6-14 record, fans may have regarded their march to the championship victory as a bit of a Cinderella story.
Manager Brent Weber, MC for the evening, said he always believed the championship was possible.
"We even had guys at practices. It was amazing," said Weber as he laughed.
"It takes a true team effort to win a championship," co-manager Jake Senger told the players, family members and fans. "We do have a great team and we definitely want to see you guys back next fall."
Coach Lorne Nielsen, who coached the Miners for the first time this year, said he knew the team had some top-end talent, but had to ask himself whether he wanted to be dealing with some of the drinking and discipline issues which can come up in senior men's hockey. He "stuck with it" and was glad he did.
With some injuries to key players in the playoffs, 50-year-old Nielsen and the rookies had to fill some holes and give the front line a breather.
"It's pretty satisfying when you win something you're not supposed to," said Nielson.
The league-wide SWHL awards night is scheduled for April 26 in Luseland. Robertson and Grant are both nominees for league MVP, along with Mitch Neumeier of the Luseland/Dodsland Mallards. Robertson is also a nominee for the All-Star team and for the best defensive forward award. Grant and Chad Therres of Luseland/Dodsland are nominated as goalies for the All-Star team.
Other Miners' members on the short list for league awards are Adam Shirley as an All-Star forward, coach Nielsen as coach of the year and Dustin McAleer for rookie of the year.
Mallards' nominees include Matt Olson for top defenceman, Jesse Fischer for most gentlemanly player, Mitch Neumeier and Lane Neumeier as All-Star forwards and Matt Olson for All-Star defence.
