Last week fans at the Tundra Oil and Gas Place got to see the Virden Oil Capitals recognize their own.
Usually, the Manitoba Junior Hockey League squad hands out its awards at a banquet. This season it doled them out four at a time over three home games. Four Oil Caps won or shared in two awards.
Braden Fischer earned the team’s Top Scorer award. As of Monday, he had 71 points in 51 games. Last week the forward was named the MJHL’s Most Valuable Player – the first Oil Cap to earn that award. In the team awards, he shared MVP honours with captain Logan Rands, who also won Top Defenceman.
“Obviously it’s a huge honour to receive the MVP award and getting to share it with the best player in the league is an honour in itself,” Rands said. “Fish is an amazing player and leader on this team and is a great role model for the younger guys here.”
Also in previously announced league awards, Carson Buydens was selected as the MJHL Rookie of the Year. He received the same honour with the Oil Caps and earned the Three Star award. The forward had 53 points through as many games, as of Monday.
Defenceman Trevor Hunt was surprised to win the team’s Fan Choice award.
“I feel very honoured and am thankful for the fans that voted for me,” he said. “It is always nice to play in front of such a great fan base. They make the games very exciting.”
Hunt also was named the team’s Most Sportsmanlike Player. He had 16 points and only eight penalty minutes through 45 games.
Forward Colten Miller was selected as the Oil Caps’ Hardest Working Player. Virden head coach Tyson Ramsey said, “Colten is a guy that gives his heart and soul to this group night in and night out. As a coach, I always know what I am getting from Colten. He is a big part of our group, and his work ethic is something that our younger guys can really learn from.”
The Unsung Hero award was shared by forwards Dylan Halliday and Tyler Thoendel. Ramsey said:
“Both Tyler and Dylan are guys that aren't flashy but you when you look at the game tape after, they have always contributed in some way, shape or form. Tyler is such a complete player and thinks the game so well on both sides of the puck, so he is valuable in any situation with any players. Dylan is so skilled and thinks the offensive part of the game at such a high level that he can create something out of nothing and makes others around him better in the offensive zone.”
For his work in the Virden area, Colin Cook received the Most Community Minded award. Rookie defenceman David Bielik was tabbed as the Most Improved Player. Brody Wilson, a forward, was selected as the Top Defensive Player.
