Pictured above – Back (from left to right): Rhett Kingston, Max Newton, Chris Harpur, Lane Michasiw, Ayden MacDonald, Ben Verrall, Ty Pochipinski. Front: John Sladic, Simon Chen, George Sennott.
The Capitals held their annual end-of-year Awards Banquet at the Cowichan Golf Club on Monday night, celebrating the season that was and recognizing all those involved with the team.
In terms of player awards, 20-year-old goalie Lane Michasiw took home the most hardware, winning three notable awards in the MVP award, 3-Star award and Academic Achievement award.
Max Newton, a 19-year-old center who won the leading scorer award and faceoff award, 20-year-old defenseman Ben Verrall, who won the top defensive defenseman and was co-winner of the unsung hero award, and 19-year-old forward Rhett Kingston, who won most inspirational player and the coaches award, also were winners of multiple awards.
Other notions include captain Chris Harpur winning top gun defenseman, Ayden MacDonald winning most popular player, Ty Pochipinski co-winning the unsung hero, George Sennott winning the rookie of the year, among others (listed below).
Bold = Award Name; ( ) = Sponsors
Most Valuable Player Award (White Spot): G Lane Michasiw
3-Star Award (National Bank): G Lane Michasiw
Leading Scorer (Duncan Lions Club): F Max Newton
Top Gun Defenseman (Cowichan Collision): D Chris Harpur
Top Defensive Defenseman (Cowichan Valley Capitals): D Ben Verrall
Vivian Young Academic Achievement Award (Duncan Rotary Club): G Lane Michasiw
Rookie of the Year (B&H Tire): F George Sennott
Most Popular Player (Cowichan Valley Citizen): F Ayden MacDonald
Coaches Award (Jeff Young): F Rhett Kingston
Unsung Hero (89.7 Juice FM): D Ben Verrall, F Ty Pochipinski
Faceoff Award (Cowichan Valley Capitals): F Max Newton
Most Sportsmanlike Player (CVRD): F John Sladic
Most Inspirational Player (Tim Hortons): F Rhett Kingston
Most Improved Player (RBC): D Simon Chen
Jeff Price Memorial Volunteer of the Year Award (Price Family): Terry Lindsay, Tanya Lindsay
Special Recognition Award (x4): Dr. Harwood (Woody) Reimer, Julie Price-Robichaud, Tony Spencer, Lions Club of Duncan
Thanks to Norm Jackson and the Cowichan Golf Club for hosting the award banquet. And thanks to all the fans, volunteers, billets and sponsors that make everything happen that goes into running the hockey operation. It couldn’t be done without your help.
On behalf of the Capitals’ organization, congratulations to all the players on a great 2016-17 season. Best wishes to the graduating 20-year-old’s: Josh Owings, Ayden MacDonald, Mitch Skapski, Ben Verrall, Chris Harpur and Lane Michasiw. To the returning players, the team looks forward to what’s ahead next season and beyond.
