Wednesday, February 22, 2012

AJHL Announces 2012 League Award Winners

Press Release

The Alberta Junior Hockey League, in partnership with The RBC Play Hockey Project, is proud to announce the 2012 League Award Winners. The award recipients will each be recognized in a pre-game presentation on home ice during the 2012 AJHL Enerflex Cup Playoffs. Congratulations to all finalists and winners on a successful 2011-2012 season.

Most Valuable Player - Alberta Old Time Hockey Players Trophy

Peter Quenneville of the Sherwood Park Crusaders is the League MVP and winner of the Alberta Old Time Hockey Players Trophy for the 2011-2012 AJHL Season.

Quenneville led the Crusaders in scoring with 81 points in the regular season, 3rd overall in the AJHL Scoring Race. Peter averaged 1.5 points per game and scored two hat tricks during the regular season. He also recorded 8 game winning goals for the Cru and was named the Pro Hockey Life Star of the Game in five games. Quenneville was honoured as the Canalta Hotels AJHL Player of the Week three times for his outstanding on-ice performance.

Peter Quenneville is a 17 year-old forward from Edmonton, AB and a second year member of the Sherwood Park Crusaders. Quenneville is committed to Quinnipiac University.

AJHL Vice-President, George McCorry, will present the Alberta Old Time Hockey Players Trophy to Peter Quenneville on February 25th in Sherwood Park.

- 2011-2012 Award Finalists: Peter Quenneville, Sherwood Park Crusaders; Kyle Harris, Lloydminster Bobcats; Matt Wilkins, Brooks Bandits; Corey Scott, Calgary Mustangs
- 2010-2011 Award Winner: Tanner Fritz, Grande Prairie Storm

Scoring Champion - Ernie Love Trophy

Forward Matt Wilkins of the Brooks Bandits has captured the Ernie Love Trophy as the Top Scorer in the AJHL with 99 points. Wilkins averaged 1.7 points per game and led the League with 15 powerplay goals.

Wilkins has tied the franchise record for Most Points in a Single Season with 99 points, shared with alumnus Jeff Marler in the 2000-2001 season. He also set a new team record for Most Assists in a Single Season with 65. Wilkins is the first Bandit player to win the Ernie Love Trophy in franchise history.

Wilkins recorded a point in all but eight regular season games in 2011-2012 and finished the season on an 18 game point streak. Wilkins was the Pro Hockey Life Star of the Game 16 times in the regular season and the winner of the Pro Hockey Life Cup. Matt Wilkins was also a finalist for the 2012 League MVP Award. Wilkins was twice named the Canalta Hotels AJHL Player of the Week.

Matt led the Bandits in scoring last season with 30 goals and 47 assists which put him second in AJHL scoring. Wilkins, from Kimberley, British Columbia, is in his second and final season with the Bandits and is committed to Union College for the 2012-2013 season

The Brooks Bandits are the 2011-2012 AJHL Regular Season Champions and earned a bye in Round One of the 2012 AJHL playoffs. League President Craig T. Cripps will award the Ernie Love Trophy to Wilkins at the start of Round Two on March 6th in Brooks.

- 2010-2011 Award Winner: Kyle Reynolds, Okotoks Oilers

Top Goaltender - Friends of Alberta Junior Hockey League Trophy

Tyler Briggs of the Lloydminster Bobcats is the Top Goaltender for 2011-2012 AJHL season. Briggs will be presented with the Friends of Alberta Junior Hockey League Trophy by League President Craig T. Cripps on February 25th. The Top Goaltender Award is awarded to the goaltender who demonstrated the greatest ability in his position throughout the season as voted on by the League General Managers and Coaches.

Tyler Briggs posted a 1.98 GAA, a .914 Save Percentage and recorded 4 shutouts during the regular season. Briggs has set new franchise records for Lowest GAA and Most Shutouts in a Single Season. Briggs will enter the AJHL Record Book amongst the top ten goaltenders in the category of Lowest GAA in a Single Season. Briggs was selected as the Pro Hockey Life Player of the Game on five occasions in the regular season.

Briggs is the first goaltender in franchise history to win the Top Goaltender Award. The 19 year-old from Sherwood Park, Alberta is in his second full season with the Bobcats.

- 2011-2012 Award Finalists: Tyler Briggs, Lloydminster Bobcats; Matt Tomkins, Sherwood Park Crusaders; Jay Deo, Calgary Mustangs; Jan Obernesser, Brooks Bandits
- 2010-2011 Award Winner: Julien Laplante, Bonnyville Pontiacs

Top Team Goaltenders - Reebok / CCM Top Team Goaltenders Award

Fort McMurray Oil Barons goaltenders, Brody Hoffman and Tanner Jaillet, are the 2012 recipients of the Top Team Goaltenders Award. The award is presented annually to the goaltenders of the team with the lowest goals against average (GAA) in the regular season. The Oil Barons have claimed the award five times in league history.

League President Craig T. Cripps will present the Reebok / CCM Top Team Goaltenders Award in Fort McMurray on February 26th. The Oil Barons allowed 126 goals this year, an average of 2.10 goals against per game. The Oil Barons will enter the AJHL Record Book in 5th spot for Fewest Goals Allowed in a Single Season.

Brody Hoffman posted a 1.90 GAA, second overall in the AJHL and recorded a league leading five shutouts alongside four AJHL goaltenders. He was selected as the Pro Hockey Life Star of the Game four times during the regular season. Hoffman is from Wilkie, Saskatchewan and has committed to the University of Vermont for 2012-2013.

Rookie goalie Tanner Jaillet is from Red Deer, Alberta. Jaillet leads all rookie goaltenders with a .924 Save Percentage, 3rd overall amongst AJHL goaltenders, and a 2.15 GAA, 5th overall in the AJHL.

2010-2011 Award Winner: Vincenzo Marozzi and Joel Miller, Spruce Grove Saints

Rookie of the Year - Dick White Trophy, Presented by Canalta Hotels

Rookie forward Anthony Petruzzelli of the Brooks Bandits is the 2012 AJHL Rookie of the Year. Petruzzelli recorded 47 points in his rookie season including 4 game winning goals. He also scored 14 powerplay goals, second overall in the AJHL.

Petruzzelli is the first member of the Bandits to capture the Rookie of the Year Award. Anthony Petruzzelli is an 18 year-old forward from Federal Way, WA.

Petruzzelli was selected as the Pro Hockey Life Star of the Game three times in the regular season. He closed out the regular season on a 6 game point streak.

Anthony Petruzzelli will receive the Dick White Trophy on March 6th in Brooks as the Bandits open Round Two of the 2012 AJHL Playoffs.

- 2011-2012 Award Finalists: Tommy Barszcz, Bonnyville Pontiacs; Dayton Reinboldt, Sherwood Park Crusaders; Anthony Petruzzelli, Brooks Bandits; Robert Hamilton, Okotoks Oilers
- 2010-2011 Award Winner: Cole Cheveldave, Drumheller Dragons

Outstanding Defenceman - W.G. (Bill) Scott Memorial Trophy

Blake Leask of the Bonnyville Pontiacs has been selected as the Top Defenceman for the 2012-2012 AJHL Season. The award is given annually to the defensive player who demonstrates the greatest all-round ability in the position throughout the season.

Leask led all AJHL defencemen in scoring with 49 points and was second overall in team scoring. During the 2011-2012 regular season, Leask recorded his first AJHL hat trick, 8 powerplay goals, 2 game winners, and enjoyed 7 games in which he scored 3 or more points. Leask was awarded the Pro Hockey Life Star of the Game five times.
Blake Leask of Edmonton, Alberta is in his third and final season with the Pontiacs. Leask will receive the W.G. (Bill) Scott Memorial Trophy from AJHL President Craig T. Cripps on February 28th in Bonnyville.

- 2011-2012 Award Finalists: Blake Leask, Bonnyville Pontiacs; Brock Maschmeyer, Fort McMurray Oil Barons; Rhett Holland, Okotoks Oilers; Sam Jardine, Camrose Kodiaks
- 2010-2011 Award Winner: Colten Hayes, Okotoks Oilers

Most Dedicated Player - Don McNabb Memorial Trophy

Carson Cooper is the winner of the Don McNabb Memorial Trophy as the Most Dedicated Player. The 19 year-old forward of the Fort McMurray Oil Barons will be presented with the Don McNabb Memorial Trophy in Fort McMurray on February 26th. The Don McNabb Memorial Trophy is awarded annually to the player judged the most dedicated to his team.

Cooper averaged 1.2 points per game for the Oil Barons in the regular season and ranked amongst the Top 15 in AJHL Scoring with 59 points. Cooper enjoyed several point streaks throughout the regular season, including a 12 game point streak totalling 19 points through October and November. Cooper was recognized as the Pro Hockey Life Star of the Game seven times.

Cooper, from Bow Island, Alberta, has played three seasons in the AJHL and is committed to Yale for the 2012-2013 season.

- 2011-2012 Award Finalists: Kory Chisholm, Lloydminster Bobcats; Carson Cooper, Fort McMurray Oil Barons; Jonathan Lashyn, Camrose Kodiaks; Riley Point, Canmore Eagles
- 2010-2011 Award Winner Kevin Carthy, Bonnyville Pontiacs

Coach of the Year

Lloydminster Bobcats General Manager and Head Coach, Brian Curran, has been voted the 2012 AJHL Coach of the Year. The award is determined through voting by the AJHL General Managers and Coaches.

Curran joined the Bobcats in 2009-2010 and has led the team from a 7th placed divisional finish in 2010 to a 3rd place finish in the 2012 AJHL North Division. The Bobcats completed the 2011-2012 season with a .700 win percentage and a record of 38-14-8, following an off-season in which the city was in jeopardy of losing the Bobcats franchise.

The Bobcats organization has won League Awards in two categories; Tyler Briggs (Top Goaltender), Brian Curran (Coach of the Year), and had award finalists in four areas Kyle Harris (MVP), Kory Chisholm (Most Dedicated Player). Coach Curran has always taken great pride in his team having the trademark of being the fittest and hardest working club of any other team in the League.

Curran is the second coach in franchise history to receive the prestigious award, which was last awarded to current Fort McMurray Oil Barons Coach Gord Thibodeau in 1998-1999. AJHL President Craig T. Cripps will present the Coach of the Year Award to Brian Curran in Lloydminster on February 25th.

- 2011-2012 Award Finalists: Brian Curran, Lloydminster Bobcats; Jason McKee, Spruce Grove Saints; Ryan Papaioannou, Brooks Bandits; Boris Rybalka, Camrose Kodiaks
- 2010-2011 Award Winner: Chad Mercier, Bonnyville Pontiacs

Regular Season Champions - Dave Duchak Trophy

The Brooks Bandits are winners of the Dave Duchak Trophy as the 2011-2012 AJHL Regular Season Champions. The Bandits captured their first regular season title with a record of 47-7-6 and 100 points.

The Brooks Bandits set franchise records for Most Points in the Standings with 100 points, and Most Wins with 47. The previous records were set in 2008-2009 with 83 points and 39 wins. The Bandits won the AJHL South Division once previously in 2008-2009.

Four members of the Brooks Bandits were finalists for the 2012 AJHL League Awards. The finalists included: Matt Wilkins (MVP), Anthony Petruzzelli (Rookie of the Year), Jan Obernesser (Top Goaltender) and Ryan Papaioannou (Coach of the Year). Bandits Forward Matt Wilkins has won the AJHL Scoring Race with 99 points, also a franchise record for the Bandits.

- 2010-2011 Award Winner: Spruce Grove Saints

Pro Hockey Life Cup

The winner of the inaugural Pro Hockey Life Cup is Matt Wilkins of the Brooks Bandits. Wilkins received 16 Pro Hockey Life Star of the Game selections in the regular season, totaling 80 points.

Each of the 480 AJHL regular season games features the Pro Hockey Life Stars of the Game, recognizing a player from each team deemed to be that night's top star. Every time a player is recognized as a Pro Hockey Life Star of the Game throughout the regular season, they will receive five points towards the pursuit of the Pro Hockey Life Cup awarded at the end of the season.

The 2011-2012 Pro Hockey Life Cup leaders:

1. Matt Wilkins, Brooks Bandits: 80 points
2. Hugo Turcotte, Grande Prairie Storm: 70 points
3. Jessi Hilton, Sherwood Park Crusaders: 60 points
3. Nolan Huysmans, Spruce Grove Saints: 60 points

Wilkins also captured the Ernie Love Trophy as the Top Scorer in the AJHL with 99 points and was a finalist for the 2012 League MVP Award. League President Craig T. Cripps will award the Pro Hockey Life Cup and Ernie Love Trophy to Wilkins at the start of Round Two on March 6th in Brooks.

Stewy Stewart Memorial - Stewy Stewart Memorial Trophy

Derek Bacon of the Okotoks Oilers is the recipient of the 2012 Stewy Stewart Memorial Trophy. Derek Bacon received the nomination for the award from the Oilers Coaching Staff.

The Stewy Stewart Memorial Trophy is named in honour of a long-time Calgary area fan who supported hockey at all levels. "Stewy" died in 1997 and the award was created to honour his support and commitment to the game. The Stewy Stewart Memorial Trophy is awarded annually to the AJHL player in the South Division that best exhibits the following attributes: character, dedication, perseverance, integrity and sportsmanship.

Derek Bacon joined the Oilers in the off-season and was quickly named an Assistant Captain. Oilers Head Coach James Poole believed Derek would be a strong leader, "Derek was here for the right reasons, he wanted to be a hockey player, he was motivated for success in his 20-year old season, he acted professional on and off the ice, respected his teammates and staff, and didn't succumb to excuses when things weren't going his way or the team's way."

Derek suffered a major setback five games into the season when he suffered a broken leg. Despite the setback, Derek never brought his disappointment into the dressing room, instead he chose to remain close to the team and chose to be a leader in any way he could while remaining committed to getting back to 100% as quickly as possible.

On December 1st, Derek returned to the lineup and soon after was named Team Captain. "This decision was embraced by his teammates due to his commitment on and off the ice to the team, his professional approach to the game and his dedication which helped him return from injury so quickly," said Poole. "Derek's character, dedication, perseverance and integrity have been an extremely positive influence within our team."

"Derek Bacon is the perfect candidate for the Stewy Stewart Award. He has without a doubt displayed dedication and perseverance through the injury and revealed his strong character. "

AJHL Vice-President Ryan Bartoshyk will present Derek Bacon with the Stewy Stewart Memorial Trophy on February 24th in Okotoks.

- 2010-2011 Award Winner: Jeremy Burns, Brooks Bandits

(Nathan can be reached at fourniern@students.nescom.edu)

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