Storm Phaneuf was the big winner as the Cowichan Valley Capitals handed out their annual awards at the Cowichan Golf & Country Club last Tuesday evening.
The senior goaltender was honoured as the team MVP and Most Popular Player, and received the Three Star Award.
Coming to the B.C. Hockey League after four seasons in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League, Phaneuf started 41 of the team’s 58 games and put up 20 wins, a 3.12 goals-against average and .915 save percentage with one shutout. Only four goalies in the BCHL spent more time between the pipes than Phaneuf’s 2,405 minutes.
Matt Hudie was named Rookie of the Year and Most Sportsmanlike Player. The 19-year-old from Westland, Michigan played all 58 games and had 41 points on 24 goals and 17 assists, and just 16 penalty minutes.
Playoff MVP honours were shared by Corey Hoffman and Ayden MacDonald. Hoffman led the team with 10 postseason points (three goals and seven assists), and MacDonald was second with seven (one goal and six helpers).
Defenceman Ben Verrall was named Unsung Hero, and senior forward Pat Geary received the Coaches’ Award for his leadership, professionalism and dedication on and off the ice.
Chris Harpur took home the Defensive Defenceman Award, Mitch Meek was Top Gun Defenceman, and another blueliner, Josh Owings, was named Most Improved Player. Centre Ryan Burton received the Faceoff Award.
Captain Adam Osczevski was named the Most Inspirational Player, and Kade Kehoe claimed the Leading Scorer award after recording 55 points on 22 goals and 33 assists during the regular season.
The Jeff Price Memorial Award for Volunteer of the Year went to Natasha Winter.