This past weekend, the Winkler Flyers handed our their annual year end awards. In a pregame ceremony, the Flyers also honored their eight graduating 20 year olds. Here is a list of the Flyers award winners. The photo gallery is at the end of the story.
Winkler Flyer Awards
Rookie of the year
This years recipient has excelled during his first year of play in the Manitoba Junior Hockey League. Tonight he will be making his 36th appearance in goal for the orange and black, already having posted 24 victories for the club. He has been essential to the clubs success this year, not only claiming the teams player of the month award in November but also garnering league accolades as a Rookie team all-star, 2nd team MJHL All-Star and the MJHL’s Top Rookie Award. Ladies and gentlemen, please join me in congratulating the Winkler Flyers Rookie of the Year #30 – Cole Weaver
Best Defensive Player
Awarded to the player deemed to make the greatest defensive contribution on a nightly basis, this years top defensive player has shown an incredible ability to keep opposing players off the score sheet. This player had been on the ice for a mere 10 even strength goals against in his 35 games prior to injury. He anchors the orange and black PK, again allowing only 3 powerplay goals against while he is on the ice. Congratulations to the Winkler Flyers Top Defensive Player, third year Flyer and the team’s assistant captain, #14 – Jeff Michiels
Coach’s Award
The Winkler Flyers coach’s award goes to a player who has provided steady, consistent play all season long. No matter what was asked of him, from scoring a timely goal, killing a penalty or stepping up physically to help swing momentum for his team, this first year Flyer was always there when called upon. On and off the ice, this Flyer has made a positive contribution to his team and the community. Congratulations to the winner of this years Coaches Award – #28 – Ian Mackey
Most Valuable Defenseman
This defenceman has been vital to the success of the orange and black this season. Playing his 4th season on the Flyer blue line, this player plays key minutes in all situations and currently ranks 2nd on the team in scoring. This player has been recognized at the league level as a 1st team All-Star and runner up for the MJHL defenceman of the year. Congratulations to the winner of the Winkler Flyers Most Valuable Defenseman award, #8 – Lawson McDonald.
Fan’s Choice Award
For the first time in recent history, the orange and black will be handing out a Fan’s Choice Award. Voted on entirely by you the fans, your votes over the last 3 Flyer home games have been counted, over 800 in total, to crown this years winner. Every single player on the orange and black received votes with the winner garnering a slim 8 vote margin over the runner up. Ladies and gentleman, please help me in congratulating the winner, as selected by you, #4 – Scott Gall
Most Valuable Player
This years Most Valuable Player award goes to a player who has seen his role on the team grow each year during his time with the orange and black. He is a leader on the team in many statistical categories, most notably in the teams plus / minus where his +38 ranking leads all players. He has been on the ice for over 70% of all the teams powerplay goals and nearly 50% of the teams goals for overall. This 4th year Flyer is serving as an assistant captain and his work with the team has recently been rewarded with a scholarship to the NCAA Division 1 University of Nebraska-Omaha Mavericks. Ladies and Gentlemen, please help me in congratulating this years MVP – Rosetown native, #8 Lawson McDonald.
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Flyers 20 year old presentation:
Ladies and Gentlemen, tonight will mark the final regular season game for 8 members of the orange and black. The organization would like to honor their contributions both to the hockey club as well as the community with a small token of our appreciation.
Since coming to the orange and black in December, Nathan Peabody has been as steady presence on the Flyer blueline. Despite this being his first year in Winkler, he has wasted no time in becoming part of the community, reading in local schools. Ladies and Gentlemen, #15 – Nathan Peabody
Brayden Cullum joined the orange and black midseason and immediately became part of the teams leadership group. He also was quick to spend time in local schools and with minor hockey teams in Winkler – Please join me in congratulating, #16 – Brayden Cullum
Since coming to Winkler, Tanner Lewis has been amongst the teams leading scorers, tallying a career high 11 goals in his 31 games with the club. A 2nd generation Flyer, he has become an integral part of the Flyers culture. Make some noise for #22 – Tanner Lewis
Joining the Flyers at the start of the season, Ian Mackey has done everything for the orange and black. In addition to his contributions on ice, he has been a constant volunteer at local schools and minor hockey practices. Let’s hear it for #28 – Ian Mackey
Having played with the orange and black in each of the last 2 seasons, Tyler Lindstrom has cemented himself as a vital member of the defensive group. He has Devoted time weekly to local schools as well as helping coach minor hockey teams. Ladies and Gentlemen, #25 – Tyler Lindstrom
One of 3 career Winkler Flyers we are honouring today – Jeff Michiels has become an integral part of the orange and black identity. Being named an assistant captain, he has anchored a group that has seen the teams goals against drop in each of his 3 seasons thanks in large part to his play. Please join me in congratulating #14 – Jeff Michiels
Having spent all 4 years of his junior hockey career playing for the orange and black, Scott Gall will finish the regular season as the active leader in career goals with 81, and points with 150 despite having missed time with a recent injury. Being named as an assistant captain this season, Scott has been an integral part of this groups success. Ladies and gentlemen, make some noise for #4 – Scott Gall
A leader on and off the ice, Connor Hamonic has captained the orange and black in each of the past 2 seasons, leading the team to 83 regular season wins to date. He will finish his regular season career as the teams active leader in games played with 174 over his 4 year career, all in a Winkler Flyer uniform. Ladies and Gentlemen, please put your hands together for the captain, #6 – Connor Hamonic