Alameda’s Jayden Davis took home five awards from the Estevan Bruins in his final season of junior hockey.
Traditionally the club has capped its season with a year-end awards banquet and celebration with family, billet parents, fans and staff, but the event was not held this year due to the COVID-19 pandemic, which cancelled the SJHL playoffs abruptly last week.
Davis was selected as the team’s most valuable player. He led the Estevan Bruins in almost every way possible during his fourth and final season of junior hockey. On the ice, he was their leader in goals (21), assists (37) and points (58), which also earned him the top scorer award.
“The 20-year-old from nearby Alameda was named captain of the Estevan Bruins this year, and his leadership ability and team-first mentality helped carry the team through a tough first half of the season,” the club said in a news release.
Davis had a 12-game point streak to finish the season, and added three points in four post-season games.
He also won the team’s heart award, as selected by the team’s training staff, for his contributions, and he was named the most popular player. He shared the Ironman Award with Devan Harrison and Tyson Manz for playing in all 58 regular season games.
Goaltender Keenan Rancier was named the team’s playoff MVP. Despite the Bruins falling behind 3-1 in their best-of-seven series with the Melfort Mustangs, Rancier did almost everything possible to lead his team to victory in all four games. He did not allow more than two goals in a game, and stopped at least 40 shots in each of the Bruins first three postseason games.
Rancier also won the Mr. Hustle Award, which is presented to a player who never quits during games or in practices, and the Abe Berday Scholastic Achievement Award for his success in the classroom.
The other prestigious award Monday night was the Mark Cross Ethics Award, which went to Tyson Manz. The award recognizes the player who best embodies the club on and off the ice. It celebrates a player whose drive, determination, perseverance and positive attitude on the ice and in the dressing room help leads the team to reach their goals.
“Tyson has been a quiet leader for the team since his rookie season and grew into that role this year, earning an ‘A’ on his jersey in the process,” the Bruins said. “Tyson was integral to making the abundance of rookie players feel comfortable, and his never-ending positive nature spilled over onto others during tough times.”
The award is named after Cross, who won the Ethics Award in 2010 and 2011 when it was named after former general manager Bill Shinske. Cross was an assistant coach for the Humboldt Broncos when he died in April 2018 in the bus tragedy.
Devan Harrison was named the club’s defenceman of the year. In the 58 games he played, he had five goals and 35 points, and was the Viterra Division’s nominee for top defenceman.
Forward Griffin Asham-Moroz was named the team’s top rookie, an impressive feat on a team with a league-leading 12 rookie skaters. He led all Bruins’ rookie skaters in goals (18), assists (29), points (47) and game-winning goals (four) in 55 games played. He finished third in the league’s rookie scoring race, and was the Viterra Division’s nominee for top rookie.
The other award winners were: Brady Nicholas and Troy Hamilton shared the team’s Rocky Award for most aggressive player; forward Tanner Manz won the team’s most underrated player award; forward Eddie Gallagher was chosen as the most sportsmanlike player; forward Caleb Petrie was named the most improved player; defenceman Kade McMillen was selected for the team’s community involvement award; and Darren Rog won the Volunteer of the Year Award for his work as the team’s statistician during home games and producer of home games.
The event was also an opportunity to recognize the club’s four graduating players: Davis and the Manz twins up front, as well as defenceman Tylor Ludwar. Head coach and general manager Chris Lewgood said Davis was one of the hardest-working and most determined players he has seen in junior hockey.
“He’s a tremendous workhorse, and he put in a tremendous amount of effort to become the hockey player he is today, where a lot of players who work hard are reliant on skill and natural ability.”
The Manz twins, who spent three years with the club, brought different skills, but both were working and underrated players. Lewgood described Tyson as an honest player and a likeable young man who brought grit and a commitment to the team.
Tanner was a multi-tool player who could fit in anywhere in the lineup and brought passion to the ice.
Finally, Ludwar has been a versatile player who played hard for the team and was a leader in the locker room.
