Both the Virden Oil Kings and the Miniota-Elkhorn C-Hawks had players receive hardware from the North Central Hockey League.
Oil Kings forward Tanner Lewis was voted the senior league’s Rookie of the Year.
C-Hawks blue liner Dillin Stonehouse was tabbed as the Top Defenceman.
The Miniota-Elkhorn netminding of Cory Gardham and Ian Oliver received the NCHL’s goaltending award.
Swan Valley’s Jory Mullin won the Doug Harrison Memorial Trophy as the league’s Most Valuable Player and Top Scorer (47 points).
The Most Gentlemanly Player award, the Darryl Brown Memorial Trophy, was won by Derek Falloon of the Russell Rams.
Tanner Lewis
Tanner Lewis, a former Virden Oil Capitals and Winkler Flyers junior player, finished second in the NCHL in points with 43. He paced the league with 26 goals.
Virden coach Blair Koop said he has been most impressed with Lewis’ dedication.
“It started even before we were on the ice,” Koop said. “He wanted to help make the team better any way that he could. He hasn't missed a game. He's a leader both on and off the ice.”
Dillin Stonehouse
Stonehouse was eighth in the NCHL with 30 points. The former junior and NCAA Division I hockey player is “our everything out there,” C-Hawks coach Tyler Mitchell said.
“He is our shut down D-man, power play quarterback, and leading scorer.
“He logs so many minutes that we often have to drag him off the ice for a rest. At the risk of sounding like a homer, I don’t think there is a better player in the league, and when he is flying, we are a very tough team to beat.”
C-Hawks Goalies
Cory Gardham led the NCHL with a 2.61 goals against average and was tied for the league lead with seven wins.
“He often gets overlooked because we have some high end talent playing in front of him, but he has stolen so many games for us over the years. He makes everyone better by allowing guys to play with confidence and aggression, knowing that if they do make a mistake, more often than not Cory will bail them out.”
The league goaltending award is given to the best duo. Gardham and Oliver combined for a 3.75 GAA. Oliver has won five games this season.
“We are lucky to have two goalies that we are confident in sending out there,” Mitchell said. “He’s such a nice compliment to Cory, and they really share the net well, supporting each other, and Ian is always ready to step in when his name is called.”
All-Stars
For Virden, Lewis, a centreman, and goalie Josh Peterson were First Team All-Stars. Oil Kings Drake Bodie, a left winger, was tabbed for the Second Team.
Stonehouse was a First Team Selection. Right winger Curtis Oliver and Gardham made the Second Team.
