The midget AAA Battlefords Stars had an opportunity to honor their star players over the weekend for their outstanding effort during the past hockey season.
The Stars players held their year end awards banquet at the Civic Centre Sunday. The event offered the club a last chance to salute its key players from the season.
The club handed out several team awards at the event, and the winners announced were as follows:
The Allan Welykochy Memorial Award in recognition of Hockey, Education and Citizenship went to defenseman Ryan Suchorab.
The Rookie of the Year winner was forward Blake Young, who also took home a second award from the club as Most Improved Player.
The Top Scorer was forward Colby Cave, who notched 14 goals and 22 assists for 36 points on the season. Cave was also awarded the prize for Most Dedicated Player.
The Most Underrated Player award went to forward Ryne Keller, who was unable to attend the banquet.
Finally, the coaches' award for team player went to defenceman Dillon Forbes.
Saluted at the banquet as well were the four players graduating from the squad: Dillon Forbes, Jesse Gerbig, Jeff Olson and Cody Thiel.
Also honoured was the entire support staff of the team which included managers Dallen Schwab and Les Trach, coaches Greg Schmidt and Derek Schmidt and trainer Billie Choque.
It is now on to the offseason for the Stars who wrapped up their 44-game regular season with a 10-32-1-1 mark. Meanwhile, playoffs for the other teams in the SMAAAHL began Tuesday night.
The Stars plan to move ahead with preparation for next season's team during the spring, as the Midget AAA Stars Spring Identification Camp is set to go for April 16 and 17. It will be open to all players who have a desire to play at the Midget AAA level. Registration is open for that camp until March 15. Further details can be found at the midget Stars' website located at www.aaastars.ca.
