Bisons hand out hardware

Posted on: Staff Writer

SP1A22

Justin Seward
Times Reporter

Doug Taylor Photo

 

The CFR Bisons held their year-end awards banquet at the Strathmore Civic Centre on April 13, on an evening where 20 teammates got to celebrate another successful campaign with their families, coaches, billets and friends.
Bison forward Matt Halkovic had the honour of receiving the first annual Markus Lavallee CFR Chemicals Memorial Scholarship for $2,500, and it was a chance for him to remember his friend.
“It was an emotional moment for me,” said Halkovic. “He’s really close to me and big family friends as well. It’s hard to describe what it feels like. I know he would’ve tried his hardest and I wanted to put my full heart into this and the scholarship, whether it was hockey or school.”
He added that it meant a lot to him to be recognized by his teammates for this award despite not being one of the flashier players on the team.
Captain Kyle Gordon won the MVP, the second team all-star recipient and the Alberta Midget Hockey League’s (AMHL) league Richard Warwick Memorial Award, which goes to the player who best demonstrates his skills, perseverance, leadership and commitment to a team.
“It makes me feel happy,” said Gordon. “It means a lot. I feel like they could’ve made an award for every single guy.”
Coach Sandy Henry said everyone on the team did something special this season and the recipients of the awards were deserving.
“I think every guy was exceptional in the area he received the award,” said Henry. “I thought our whole team was exceptional. A great group of guys to work with, deep with character and desire to win.”
Other award winners on the night were: Top Scorer and first team all-star recipient, Gary Haden; Top Defenseman, Tanner Foster; Top Defensive Forward, Liam Izyk; Hardest Working Bison and AJHL Scholarship award winner, Cameron Shorrock; Rookie of the Year, Cole Clayton; Most Improved, Kaden Hanas.
Shorrock and Quaid McBean shared the Neil Glionna Award for dedication perseverance and sportsmanship.
The Strathmore Times Player of the Year, which is given to the player who earns the most player of the game honours during the regular season and playoffs, went to Hunter Virostek.