MHL Announces Awards for Best of 2012-2013

Press Release

After announcing 1st Team All Stars on Wednesday, the Maritime Junior Hockey League and Premier sponsor Kent released the recipients of several annual awards on Thursday. In addition to honouring the Regular Season Leading Scorer and Best Goaltending Duo (GAA), all eleven-member teams voted on Player of the Year, Rookie of the Year and Top Defenseman. As well, the league named winners for Community Leadership and the MHL Character Award.

The 2012-13 Regular Season Leading Scorer goes to Kyle Morrison of the Truro Bearcats. Morrison, who turned in a phenomenal February averaging nearly 3 points per game, finished the season with 84 points – 35 goals and 53 assists in 50 games.

“Kyle is a great player that has really picked up his play since the Christmas break”, said Head Coach and GM Shawn Evans. “He began to put up big points but also improved his game all 200 feet of the rink”.

“Kyle has developed into a real leader and is leading our charge into the playoffs”.
Mitch Maynard of the Summerside Western Capitals receives the MHL Player of the Year Award for 2012-13. The 20 year-old native of Halifax was outstanding all season for the Capitals, playing a huge role in their first overall finish. Maynard finished tied for 4th in scoring with 70 points (21 goals and 49 assists) while also turning in a low 28 minutes in penalties.

“Mitchell Maynard has been a tremendous player for the Summerside Western Capitals as a model of consistency all season”, said Capitals Head Coach Billy McGuigan. “Mitch played in all situations. He is a great shot blocker and has good speed. He leads by example.”

The Capitals also received honours in the Top Goaltending Duo. Kevin Bailie and Jacob Riley combined for a 2.135 GAA, tops in the MHL. “We feel we have a great 1-2 punch with these two individuals”, explained McGuigan. “Jake Riley has been the most consistent goaltender in the MHL this season. We picked up Kevin Bailie at the trade deadline and he has been a fantastic goaltender for us as well. Obviously with the best combined GAA in the league we are comfortable with either of them between the pipes”.

Rookie of the Year went to a member of the Yarmouth Mariners. Just turned 17 Barrington, Nova Scotia native Morgan Messenger receives the honour. Messenger was a noticeable offensive threat early for the Mariners and although he missed several games due to injuries, he finished with 34 points in 36 games. Messenger was also chosen to play in the CJHL Prospects games held in November of 2012.
“Morgan is a tremendously skilled young player who played a huge role in our great start to the season”, said Mariners Head Coach and GM Laurie Barron. “He was our leading scorer before injuries sidelined him”.

“Morgan is a great local kid who will be a leader for this team for years to come”.

Rodney Mahoney of the Yarmouth Mariners is the recipient of the league’s Top Defenseman. Mahoney has been a pillar for the Mariners over the past three seasons. This season the Mariners Captain finished with 33 points and played in all 52 games.

“We are so pleased to see Rodney receive this award. It comes as no surprise to us but it’s great to see that the rest of the league also recognizes just how good he really is. When he is on the ice, he has the ability to control the play and slow the game down. He has excellent vision and sees the ice as good as any player”.

“Rodney makes everyone around him better and has made himself into the best player day in and day out”.
The MHL Character Award, an award designed to highlight a player every team hates to play against, but would love to have in their lineup, goes to Amherst Ramblers Captain Kody Orr. Orr, a 5 year MHL veteran, is turning in a great season with 62 points over 52 games and has always been a consistently rugged player through his entire career.

''The Amherst Rambers are proud of Kody for winning the MHL Character Award”, said Ramblers Head Coach and GM Jim Bottomley. “Kody gives nothing less then 110% in and every game, practice and whatever he does for that matter. His ‘team first’ attitude and hard nose style has been driving opposing players crazy for the past 5 years”.

“A sincere congratulations to Kody from the entire Ramblers organization.''
The MHL Community Leadership award goes to Zach Shannon of the Woodstock Slammers. According the Slammers Head Coach and GM Jason Tatarnic, Shannon is very deserving of the honour given the example he has set off the ice.

“Zach has been an active volunteer in the community of Woodstock during his time as a Slammer”, said Tatarnic. We strive for our players to be active and Zach is willing to do so and more. You can see he cares about the individuals that he volunteers with and down the road a community will benefit from Zach's presence. Zach is very deserving of this award”.
The 1st Team All-Stars for 2011-2012 were announced on Wednesday and are as follows: 


Goal:               Shayne Campbell (Truro Bearcats)
Defense:        Josh Desmond (Yarmouth Mariners)       
Defense:        Rodney Mahoney (Yarmouth Mariners)
Left Wing:       Kyle Morrison (Truro Bearcats)
Centre:           Danny Chiasson (Summerside Western Capitals)
Right Wing:     Zach Cahill (Dieppe Commandos)

The MHL Scholastic Player of the Year and Playoff MVP awards are still to come. Also, at the 2013 Draft and AGM the Maurice Bent Builders Award, MHL Coach of the Year and MHL Executive of the Year awards will be handed out.


 (Nathan can be reached at nathanfournier@mainehockeyjournal.com)