MHL Announces Awards for Best of 2011-2012

Press Release

After announcing 1st Team All Stars on Wednesday, the Maritime Junior Hockey League and Premier sponsor Kent released the recipients of several annual awards on Thursday. In addition to honouring the Top Scorer and Best Goaltending Duo (GAA), all eleven member teams voted on Most Valuable Player, Rookie of the Year and Top Defenseman. As well, the league named winners for Community Leadership and the MHL Character Award.

Mike Szmatula of the Summerside Western Capitals receives two very big honours for 2011-12. The 19 year-old native of Commerce Township, Michigan won the MHL Scoring Title with 87 points in 52 games (36 goals, 51 assists). Szmatula is also the recipient of the Most Valuable Player Award for his accomplishments on and off the ice.

“Mike has been an excellent addition to our team and our program and is truly a model citizen”, said Caps Head Coach Billy McGuigan. “He’s been a great ambassador for the organization and has been involved in a high volume of community work while also maintaining his schoolwork at UPEI. As a player, Mike is very skilled, hard working and attacks with speed off the rush. He’s great on the powerplay and makes players around him better”.

Rookie of the Year also went to a member of the Capitals. Charlottetown native Stephen Anderson, who made his presence known very early in the season, is the winner of the award, notching up 36 points in 31 games (1.16 points per game). Anderson also spent time with the QMJHL’s top team, the Saint John Sea Dogs this year where in 26 games he tallied16 points.

“Stephen Anderson is mature beyond his years and was a great surprise to us this season”, said McGuigan.

“Stephen is a player that can play a skill game or can play a very physical style when needed. He has extremely quick hands and a very quick cross over that makes him very hard to defend. He never backs down from a challenge and wins puck battles and makes room for himself and his teammates.

“He’s a very tough kid that stands up for teammates and him self”.

“We are very pleased to have these 2 guys selected”, added General Manager Pat McIver upon hearing of Szmatula’s and Anderson’s awards.

Obviously we think they both deserved these awards and these two guys were instrumental in our success this season in what is a rebuilding year for our team. Szmatula and Anderson are both great players and great individuals and both have very bright futures in the game of hockey”.

The Best Goaltending Duo goes to the Woodstock Slammers. Matt Murphy and Sam Renault combined for an impressive 2.29 GAA, tops in the MHL on the year.

“We've been close before capturing the best combined GAA and this season our goaltenders were determined to win this award”, said Head Coach Jason Tatarnic.

“Matt Murphy has been excellent all season and his .932 save percentage was the best in the league. Matt has been steady all season long for us. Sam Renault has been just as steady. If you look at his stats closely you will notice Sam has not lost a game in regulation all season. Both goaltenders have performed well and have been big factors in our regular season success this year. I'm very proud of both of them”.

Tim Campbell of the Woodstock Slammers is the recipient of the league’s Top Defenseman. Campbell was a standout on a very skilled Slammers club. The 20 year-old finished second in team scoring with 72 points, including 55 helpers. Those 72 points were good for second overall amongst all defensemen in the MHL”.

“Tim Campbell has played a big part in our success this season and is a leader on and off the ice. Tim is a highly skilled player but his competitive edge is what makes him an impact player every night. He plays in all situations and in my opinion is the best defenseman I've seen play in the MHL during my time and one of the best players overall. It has been a pleasure to have the opportunity to coach Tim this season”.

The MHL Character Award, an award designed to highlight a player every team hates to play against, but would love to have in their lineup, went this season to Defenseman Jordan Thomas of the Metro Marauders. Thomas, Captain of his team, earned 34 points in 52 games this season and, according to Head Coach Stan Hennigar is one of the toughest individuals he has ever coached.

“Jordan Thomas is without a doubt one of the toughest players I’ve ever been associated with as both a coach and player”, explains Hennigar.

“He has an outstanding work ethic in practices and games and hopefully will get a chance to move on to the University ranks. His battle level is beyond description and I’ve seen him play through illness and injuries that would have kept most players out of the lineup. It’s been an honour for our coaching staff to be associated with this great young man”.

“It’s been a pleasure getting to know Jordon over the last two years and he is well deserving of this honor”, added Marauders GM Julie Marston. “He is a kid who is not only one of the hardest working players in the league, but he is an exemplary leader that has earned him the respect of his teammates, coaches and all members of the Marauders organization. He is a great kid with a big heart that loves all aspects of the game”.

The MHL Community Leadership award goes to Colin Beck of the Truro Bearcats. Beck is in his 4th MHL season and according to Head Coach Shawn Evans is more than deserving of the honour considering all of his efforts.

“For four years Colin has been recognized and well received in the Community of Truro”, said Evans. “He is a Deserving Winner of this Special Recognition and has represented the MHL and the Truro Bearcats with honour and class for his entire career. Colin has been an excellent student at both the Cobequid Educational Centre and the Nova Scotia Agricultural College. Each season he’s been involved in Big Brothers/Big Sisters, the In School Mentorship Program, has mentored Bantam House League Hockey Players this season within the Truro Minor Hockey system and has visited numerous Elementary Schools to serve meals, read to students and has always taken part in the Terry Fox Run Program”.

“Colin has an excellent way with kids and is the Perfect Role Model on and off the ice for the MHL”.

(Nathan can be reached at fourniern@students.nescom.edu)