Monday, March 29, 2010

Kings' Shamanski named MJHL Player of Year

Press Release

Steven Shamanski’s dream season continues after being named the MJHL’s selection for the Canadian Junior Hockey League’s player of the year award. It’s the latest of several awards which have been bestowed upon the veteran Dauphin Kings’ defenceman.

“Steven is not only an excellent hockey player, but he’s also very involved in his community,” said MJHL Commissioner Kim Davis. “He’s a very worthy selection and will represent our league with class.”

The MJHL’s 11 teams each submitted a nominee, with the final voting conducted by the coaches. Recently, Shamanski was presented with the MJHL’s Brian Kozak Trophy, awarded to the league’s top defenceman. He was also a finalist for the MJHL’s most valuable player award.

Shamanski, who is captain of the Kings, won’t have much time to enjoy his latest honour as the Kings take on Winnipeg Saints for the Turnbull Trophy, awarded to the MJHL champion. Game 1 of their best-of-seven series goes Saturday night in Winnipeg’s Civic Centre.

Shamanski, 20, is hoping to follow in the footsteps of another MJHL star - Eric Delong of the Portage Terriers, who won this prestigious award last season. The previous MJHL star to win this award was Junior Lessard of Portage Terriers in 2000.

The CJHL Player of the Year Award is awarded annually to a Junior A hockey player for both his on-ice achievements and off-ice contributions to his community. Shamanski volunteers his time with Grade 4 students at Lt. Col Barker School.

A graduate of Carberry Collegiate, he was an honour roll student and aspires to enroll in university to study general sciences and math. His ultimate goal is to be a pharmacist.

“I would like to become a pharmacist and work at either rural hospitals or operate his own pharmacy in Carberry,” Shamanski said.


(Nathan also is a writer for Maineiacs Post to Post and the Maine Hockey Journal. He can be reached at fourniern@students.nescom.edu)

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