WEYBURN – The Richardson Pioneer Weyburn Red Wings held their season-end team awards banquet and comedy night on Sunday at the Weyburn Legion Hall, the night after finishing the regular season.
The team is hitting its stride at the right time of year, said head coach Cody Mapes, noting that in the last 15 games of the season, the Red Wings had a record of 10-4-1.
“Each one of you players, you never stray from sticking to the plan, and it’s all coming together now. It’s been an incredible joy working with you,” he said. “I’m really excited for a successful playoff series ahead.”
The Red Wings will be playing the Humboldt Broncos in the quarter-finals, starting on Friday, March 22, in Humboldt.
Of the graduating 20-year-old players, Mapes noted that Nick Kovacs was the only one to play for three years in Weyburn, and pointed out he played his 150th game as a Red Wing over the weekend.
The Most Valuable Player award went to goaltender Dazza Mitchell, who also won the award as the Most Popular Player as chosen by the fans. He is also a finalist for the SJHL Goaltender of the Year award.
Blake Betson won the Gentlemanly Conduct Award, and shared the Best Defensive Forward award with Carter Briltz.
Wyatt LaCoste won the Community Service Award, and Nick Kovacs took home the Most Valuable Defenceman Award.
Jerome Maharaj was a double winner, for the Most Valuable Forward Award, and the Top Red Wing Scorer Award.
Braigh LeGrandeur won the Most Improved Red Wing Player award, and Jacob Visentini was the Most Popular Player as chosen by his teammates.
Angelo Zol won the Unsung Hero Award, and team captain Max Monette won the Marcel Labelle Memorial award for the Red Wing Displaying Dedication.
Lucas Jeffreys won the Graham Christie Memorial award for the Most Inspirational Red Wing, and Liam Fitzgerald was named the Rookie of the Year for the Red Wings.
