|
It may not be as star-studded
as the VMA's or as drawn out as the Oscars but for the first time in the
history of the Western States Hockey League, the fans were able to vote via the
league's Facebook page on various award categories for the 2011-2012 regular season.
It's all just for fun and
nothing is official but fans represented their teams well with hundreds of
votes and proved why the WSHL has the best fans in junior hockey!
Before we move on to the
awards, where I will list the fans' vote, my personal vote and even some
honorable mentions, let's take the time to recognize the All-Thorne Cup Finals First and Second Teams, as well as the MVP of the tournament:
Champions:
Idaho Jr. Steelheads (Mountain Division)
Tournament MVP: Stefan
Brucato (Forward, Idaho Jr. Steelheads) All-Thorne Cup First Team
Forwards: Stefan Brucato (Idaho Jr.
Steelheads), Christian Elsborg (Dallas Ice Jets), Austin Azurdia (Dallas Ice
Jets)
Defensemen: Jake Webber (Idaho Jr. Steelheads),
Blake Box (Dallas Ice Jets)
Goaltender: Michael Baldwin (Dallas Ice Jets)
All-Thorne Cup Second Team
Forwards: Vance Bridgman (Idaho Jr.
Steelheads), Tomas Stastny (El Paso Rhinos), Jason Beisinger (Fresno Monsters)
Defense: Tyler Smith (Idaho Jr. Steelheads),
Austin Rehwinkel (Dallas Ice Jets)
Goaltender: Jordyn Kaufer (Idaho Jr. Steelheads)
We'd also be remised if we didn't recognize the amazing work of
the Herman brothers, as well as the entire El Paso Rhinos organization and the
City of El Paso. Without their efforts, the Thorne Cup would have never been
the hit that it was.
So without further adieu, here we go with the awards....
Best "Flow" or Hair
Fans Vote: Evan
Alexius (Arizona Redhawks)
Arizona's rookie defenseman must have trouble skating, as
his hair causes some serious wind resistance. Not only does he sport some of
the best hair in the league, he's also one of the best dressers, pulling off
fedoras with relative ease.
My Vote: Max
Veatch (Idaho Jr. Steelheads)
"Mad Max" is a cannonball when he's on the ice, despite only
weighing about 170 pounds. I'd be willing to bet about 20 of those pounds come
from his hair, which miraculously fits inside his helmet.
Honorable Mentions:
Kenny Orlando (New Mexico Renegades)
Very solid, not enough bounce to be considered elite.
Jake Webber (Idaho Jr. Steelheads)
Must have been tough living in the shadow of Veatch.
Taylor Crawford (Cheyenne Stampede)
Constant work in the off-season has paid-off for Crawford's game
and more importantly, his hair.
Best Mid-Season Acquisition
Fans Vote: Matt
Sanford (Idaho Jr. Steelheads)
An already stacked Idaho roster got a big boost when
top-forward Matt Sanford returned to the team in late January, after a stint in
the North American League.
The North Pole, Alaska picked up where he left off the
season before, by absolutely dominating offensively.
In just 14 regular season games with the Steelies in
'11-'12, Sanford clicked for nearly two points a game, finishing with 8 goals
and 18 assists.
My Vote:
Christian Elsborg (Dallas Ice Jets)
Another pick-up out of the NAHL, the addition of forward
Christian Elsborg gave the Ice Jets a much-needed offensive threat.
The Danish-born and Texas-trained forward knew head coach Paul
Taylor well and quickly fit into his system, collecting six points in his first
four games with the team.
He was also the Ice Jets best forward in the playoffs, where
he amassed 13 points in nine games, second to only Stefan Brucato of Idaho.
Honorable Mentions:
Austin Azurdia (Dallas Ice Jets)
Azurdia was also picked up out of the NAHL by the Ice Jets
but much later in the season than Elsborg. He quickly found a home however,
with 15 points in 13 games played with Dallas. Much like Elsborg, he was also
at his best during the playoffs.
Carl Graf (Cheyenne Stampede)
The big Swede never quite clicked in El Paso and was dished
to Cheyenne while at the Showcase in Las Vegas. He switched locker rooms and
immediately bolstered the Stampede lineup, where he picked up his play and
eventually finished 5th overall in regular season league scoring.
Sebastien Beauregard (Valencia Flyers)
An absolute force, Sebastien Beauregard came to Valencia in
early January and flat out dominated. He's strong on his skates and never stops
moving his feet, in 15 regular season games he notched 27 points for the
Flyers, leading the team in that span.
Most Underrated Player
Fans Vote: Kody
Rodriguez (Ogden Mustangs)
I can't argue with the fans here.
In his rookie season of junior hockey, Utah-native Kody
Rodriguez did it all for the first-year Mustangs.
He plays in all situations, has a good shot, hits like a
tank and is one of the best fighters in the entire league.
He doesn't do anything that will dazzle you and that's part
of the reason he flies under the radar but something tells me he likes it that
way.
He is as steady as they come and would be an asset to any
team in the league.
My Vote: Dylan
Meier (Boulder Bison)
Dylan Meier is hard to miss; he's a big kid with a big shot
and silky smooth hands.
Why is it that he's underrated, you ask?
He played on a team where every forward on the top line was
in the top-20 in league scoring, including the league's leading scorer overall,
Chris Guidotti.
Meier centered Boulder's second line nearly all season and
showed the ability to take a game over, when he wanted to.
He's big, strong, fast and has a blast of a shot.
He even had a cup of coffee in the North American League
with the Fresno Monsters, at one point.
He ended the season fourth on the Boulder roster with 46
points but when he figures it all out, which he will, he can easily double that
amount.
Honorable Mentions:
Matt Uvodich (New Mexico Renegades)
The New Mexico Renegades had their best season to-date and
forward Matt Uvodich was a big reason for that success.
He wont' do anything that will jump out at you but he's the
type of player every coach wants. He skates hard, never takes a shift off and is
an excellent teammate. 34 points in 35 games never hurts, either.
Richard Bohan (Dallas Ice Jets)
Richard Bohan is not the fastest skater, he doesn't have a
huge shot and he isn't very flashy. Very much like NHL Hall of Famer Luc
Robitaille however, Bohan always finds a way to get it done.
He has good hands, sees the ice well and just like Uvodich,
is an excellent leader.
Alex Burdekin (Park City Moose)
Don't look at the numbers, just don't do it, they'll never
do the Park City goaltender any justice.
Playing for a first-year team that struggled, Burdekin stood
on his head from the beginning of the season, to the end, keeping the Moose in
games they shouldn't have been close in.
He's small, very small but there's something to be said for
someone that finds ways to make incredible saves looks routine.
The "Power Player"
Fans Vote: Weston
Cydell (San Diego Gulls)
Weston Cydell has the hardest shot in the WSHL, by a mile.
The big defenseman sets-up for the one-timer while on the
man advantage and fires heat-seeking missiles at the net.
You couldn't pay me enough to step in front of one of his
shots.
My Vote: Arnie
Osuna (Dallas Snipers)
Another undersized forward that finds ways to score, Osuna
combined with Shane Bonds to form the only real offensive threat for the
Snipers this season.
He was especially lethal on the power play, where he led the
league with 10 goals.
Honorable Mentions:
Tomas Busek (San Diego Gulls)
Try and move the big Czech from the slot, just try.
Danny Kulikov (Cheyenne Stampede)
Hard enough to contain at even-strength, makes people miss
even more while a man-up.
Robby Johnson (Long Beach Bombers)
Lanky forward that is similar to Busek; hard to move, with a
big shot.
Lady-Byng
Fans and My Vote:
Taylor Porrier (Boulder Bison)
52 points in 36 games and not a single penalty called
against him. Need I say more?
Honorable Mentions:
Nobody even close
Best One-Two Punch
Fans and My Vote:
Chris Guidotti and Ryan Gauthier (Boulder Bison)
Guidotti led the league in scoring during the regular season
by 17 points and Gauthier finished fourth, despite a turbulent season for him.
They know each other well and are an absolute nightmare for
opposing defenses.
One statistic says it all; they combined for 153 points in
82 games.
Honorable Mentions:
Nick McKee/Marc Haaf (Fresno Monsters)
McKee is the sniper and Haaf is the passer. They are both on
the smallish size but think two plays ahead of everyone else. Another tandem
that no opposing team wants to see on the ice.
Stefan Brucato/Justin Videen (Idaho Jr. Steelheads)
Two guys that are wise beyond their years, Brucato and
Videen were a big reason Idaho was so successful again. Videen is a great
leader who will give up his body for the team. Brucato is smooth and the puck
seems to gravitate to him.
Connor Tamai/Kevin Filthaut (Texas Brahmas)
These two also played together in '10-'11 and were just as
tough to defend. They both go to the net hard and usually aren't denied.
Combined for 117 points.
Best Two-Way Forward
Fans Vote: Vance
Bridgman (Idaho Jr. Steelheads)
Although he shows flashes of top-end talent, Vance Bridgman
understands his role with the Jr. Steelheads and plays within his limits.
He has the ability to go end-to-end but instead plays a
smart, two-way game, coming up big at both ends of the ice for Idaho.
He wont' show up on the score sheet as much as guys like
Brucato and Sanford but is just as valuable to his team.
My Vote: Jon
Eades (Phoenix Knights)
On a team decimated with injuries like I have never seen,
Jon Eades was one of the most consistent centers in the league.
He plays in all situations, blocks tons of shots, hits
everything that moves and never stops moving his feet.
He is the kind of hockey player you hope your kid grows up
to become.
Honorable Mentions:
Don Coyle (Fresno Monsters)
His numbers dropped of considerably in his third season with
the Monsters but Coyle took his defensive game to another level and saw
increased ice time in pivotal junctures of games because of it.
Eric Czarnick (Valencia Flyers)
Not the biggest of guys but excels in any situation he's put
in.
Tony Fiocco (San Diego Gulls)
The veteran just kept doing what he's always done, which is
play the entire 200 feet of the ice and do anything the coaching staff asks of
him.
Best Offensive Defenseman
Fans Vote: Jake
Webber (Idaho Jr. Steelheads)
Another guy that John Olver plucked out of the NAHL, Webber
rushes the puck end-to-end frequently.
He has a good shot for a smaller guy and finds ways to
change the angle and get it through to the net.
My Vote: Weston
Cydell (San Diego Gulls)
His cannon of a shot and crisp passing make him tough to
matchup against. Can't really stop him, just have to hope to contain him.
Honorable Mentions:
Preston James (Boulder Bison)
The feisty d-man with a big shot held his own in the NAHL, a
couple season ago. He sees the ice well and has a very good first pass out of
the zone.
Terry Portra (Texas Brahmas)
Led all defensemen in scoring with 45 points, including 31
assists.
Brian White (Long Beach Bombers)
Another NAHL guy that dominated in the WSHL, amassing 42
points in just 30 games. At that pace, White would have finished with 63
points, had he played in 45 games, which would have been good enough for 5th
overall in the league (forwards included.)
Best "Dangler" or Hands
Fans Vote:
Mathieu Gauthier-Cote (Boulder Bison)
The "other" Gauthier in Boulder was just as lethal as the
other, in just his first season with the Bison.
The rookie forward is smooth like butter, weaves in and out
of traffic with ease and never loses control of the puck.
My Vote: Danny
Kulikov (Cheyenne Stampede)
Another solid acquisition by General Manager Mark Lantz, the
Russian forward looks and plays exactly like fellow countryman Andrei Loktionov
of the Los Angeles Kings.
He's very nifty with the puck and mesmerizes defensemen with
his unmatched stickhandling.
He also celebrates his goals like another Russian; Alex
Ovechkin.
Honorable Mentions:
Kenny Orlando (New Mexico Renegades)
Scored a shootout goal in Las Vegas where he made about 20
stickhandles in the goal crease alone.
Eddie Keshishian (Valencia Flyers)
A magician with the puck, almost impossible to stop on a
breakaway.
Johnny Henson (Dallas Ice Jets)
Probably the best stick-handler at high speeds that I've
seen in this league. No idea how he didn't put up at least 60 points.
Best Passer
Fans Vote:
Michael Rivera (El Paso Rhinos)
A fan favorite in El Paso, the hometown kid is constantly working
to get his teammates the puck.
He leads by example and deflects the spotlight onto his
teammates, as the captain is supposed to do.
He outworks just about everyone on the ice and would much
rather feed a teammate, than score a goal himself.
My Vote: Marc
Haaf (Fresno Monsters)
Another undersized guy that has eyes in the back of his
head, Haaf is so slick with the puck.
The German forward sees the ice well and has one of the best
saucer passes in the league.
If he fills out, there's no reason he shouldn't be in the
NAHL this fall.
Honorable Mentions:
Sam Khongmuk (Valencia Flyers)
The Swedish forward was a huge reason for the success of
linemate Eddie Keshishian.
Chris Guidotti (Boulder Bison)
Most assists in the entire league, could have easily won
this award but he's already gotten his fair share of accolades.
Taylor Crawford (Cheyenne Stampede)
Did it all for Cheyenne, always finds a way to distribute
the puck around.
Best "Sniper"
Fans Vote: Tomas
Busek (San Diego Gulls)
The big Czech suited up for Idaho in '09-'10 before heading
for warmer weather with the Gulls this season.
He's big, strong and has a blast of a wrist shot that he
takes from everywhere on the ice and for good reason.
My Vote: Nick
McKee (Fresno Monsters)
One of the few players at this level that I've seen shoot
while taking a stride. It throws of the goaltenders' timing and usually ends up
in the back of the net.
He can do it all and is lethal from the slot.
Honorable Mentions:
Shane Bonds (Dallas Snipers)
There had to be a Sniper on this list and Bonds was a bright
spot for a team that struggled mightily in their inaugural season.
Austin Ehrlich (Valencia Flyers)
The rookie has a deceptive shot that seems to rise just
before it reaches the goaltender.
Dylan Meier (Boulder Bison)
Rings his snap-shot off the bar and in, on command.
Rookie of the Year (Under 18 Years of Age)
Fans and My Vote:
Austin Ehrlich (Valencia Flyers)
He's another one of the guys that isn't very flashy but he
has an innate ability to find the back of the net.
In his rookie season of junior hockey, Ehrlich was one of
the key catalysts for the Valencia Flyers' offense, finishing with 30 goals,
tops amongst rookies in the league.
He also showed a knack for scoring clutch goals in big
situations, including the game-winner in overtime of game two of the Western
Division Finals.
Honorable Mentions:
Arseny Stoyakin (San Diego Gulls)
Russian-import led the Gulls in nearly every offensive
category; one of the slickest guys in the league.
Kyle Kruenegel (Idaho Jr. Steelheads) The younger brother of veteran Jr. Steelheads' forward
Tyler, joined forces with big bro this season and played steady defense all
season for head coach John Olver. He isn't overly big but plays with a bit of
an edge.
Michael Freeman (Fresno Monsters)
Another chip off the old block, Michael Freeman is the
younger brother of former Fresno Monsters' forward Thomas. The positionally-sound
defenseman did the family names well in his rookie season, where his mistake-free
play quickly moved him to the top of the depth chart.
Coach of the Year
Fans Vote: Cory
Herman (El Paso Rhinos)
It's tough to argue with the fans here. Cory Herman has
built the El Paso Rhinos into one of the premiere teams in all of junior
hockey. They have made hockey in El Paso
a must-see and consistently are at the top of the league standings.
Herman is a calm bench-boss that runs a tight ship and
requires 100% effort from every single one of his players. With Cory Herman
behind the bench, it's no wonder the Rhinos are one of the WSHL's elite.
My Vote: Paul
Taylor (Dallas Ice Jets)
Expansion teams struggle, that's just a fact of sports;
somebody must have forgotten to tell that to Dallas Ice Jets head coach Paul
Taylor, however.
After helping build the Ice Jets' youth program into a
national power, Taylor took the helm of the junior team in their first season
of play in the WSHL and led them to a record of 29-12-5, second to only the
aforementioned Herman and the Rhinos in the Mid-West Division.
After being ousted in the division finals by the Rhinos, the
Ice Jets were granted a spot in the Thorne Cup Finals due to El Paso hosting
the event. Not wanting to be the team that, "got in on a free pass," Dallas got
hot, going all the way to the championship game and taking Idaho into overtime,
before eventually falling a goal short of the title.
What Taylor did in just one season in Dallas is remarkable
and without a single player in the top 40 in league scoring to-boot!
Taylor's success came from his attention to detail and
countless hours working on the fundamentals, special teams and defense.
Honorable Mentions:
John Olver (Idaho Jr. Steelheads)
It's hard to not give the award to Olver, as he led the
dominant Jr. Steelheads to back-to-back league championships but he did it with
a stacked roster, that's why I gave it to Taylor. Regardless of the talent he
had up north, Olver is one of the best hockey minds you'll ever see in junior
hockey. He runs his team like an army, a red army to be exact. They move in
unison, skate like the wind and don't give up goals, period.
Jocelyn Langlois (Valencia Flyers)
After a few up-and-down seasons, Jocelyn Langlois took over
the head coaching duties in Valencia and quickly righted the ship. In his
rookie season, he guided Valencia to their first playoff appearance in three
seasons and took Fresno to a decisive third game in the Western Division
Finals.
Rob Powell (Arizona Redhawks)
The Arizona Redhawks' first two seasons in the WSHL were
rough, to put it lightly. Head coach Rob Powell stayed the course however and
in year three, led the Redhawks to their first-ever playoff appearance and
cemented them as a power for years to come.
Best Overall Defenseman
Fans Vote: Jake
Webber (Idaho Jr. Steelheads)
Webber did it all for Idaho and is the rare smaller
defenseman that excels at both ends of the ice.
He played huge minutes in the Thorne Cup Finals and was a
big reason for another Idaho championship.
My Vote: Preston
James (Boulder Bison)
Another guy that can do it all, James is an above average
skater, who shoots, passes, stickhandles, hits and fights well above average.
Honorable Mentions:
Weston Cydell (San Diego Gulls)
When he's on top of his game, there is nobody better in the
league, possibly ever.
Terry Portra (Texas Brahmas)
Not just an offensive force, Portra has a very good stick,
causing plenty of turnovers with a quick poke.
Brandon Weise (Valencia Flyers)
Another guy that can play with an edge to his game, Weise
will be suiting up for Becker College in the fall.
Top Goaltender
Fans Vote: Jordyn Kaufer (Idaho Jr. Steelheads)
He didn't lose a game in the regular season, not one.
The Minnesota-native is very economical in his movements and
rarely looks flustered, while playing behind the league's best defense.
My Vote: Andrew
Barletta (Arizona Redhawks) The former Phoenix Polar Bear wasn't retained heading into
the '11-'12 season and the nearby Redhawks were happy to take him.
An absolute stud in net all season for Arizona, a team not
known for their defense, Barletta put up numbers similar to goaltenders from
top teams like Fresno and Idaho.
Can get a bit flustered at times, especially with traffic in
front of his net but was terrific nonetheless.
Honorable Mentions:
Tom McGuckin (Fresno Monsters)
I know fellow Fresno goaltender Marcus Harbison didn't lose
a game in the regular season but I still feel McGuckin was the better tender.
He's small but is very quick sliding from post-to-post and is flexible as well.
Michael Baldwin (Dallas Ice Jets)
Split time with Thomas Scoggin the first 1/3 of the season
or else he'd be my pick for top goaltender. He came alive in the playoffs and
stole a game or two.
Brian Walters (San Diego Gulls)
The Vermont-native went from one coast to the other and
quickly solidified the goal crease for the Gulls, which for a few seasons prior
had been a revolving door.
Regular Season MVP
Fans Vote: Justin
Videen (Idaho Jr. Steelheads)
The Idaho captain leads by example and is the glue that
holds the Jr. Steelheads together.
He's reliable and John Olver's go-to guy in big situations.
The definition of a leader.
My Vote: Chris
Guidotti (Boulder Bison)
I don't think anyone else came close to the regular season
Chris Guidotti had, leading the league in assists and points, by a very wide
margin.
Whenever he's on the ice, the opposing team grips their
sticks a little harder and is always looking around to see where #91 is.
Honorable Mentions:
Nick McKee (Fresno Monsters)I have never seen a player improve from one season to the
next, as much as McKee did. He had a solid rookie year but what he did in
'11-'12 was amazing, leading the Monsters in almost every offensive category. A
true game-breaker.
Eddie Keshishian (Valencia Flyers)
Keshishian went from being in-and-out of the lineup his
rookie season in '09-'10, to leading the Flyers with 32 points last season and
all the way up to second in the entire league, with 71 points in year three.
Michael Rivera (El Paso Rhinos)
Much like Videen, Rivera is the consummate leader. He does
everything that's asked of him and leaves it all on the ice.
So there they are, the awards doled out by both myself and
the great fans of the WSHL!
Regardless of who won what, it's safe to say that the
2011-2012 season was the best in the long history of the Western States Hockey
League and that trend is expected to continue in the 2012-2013 season.
Be sure to check back later in the week, when I reveal the new
teams set to begin play in the fall, as well as the new divisional alignment
for the upcoming season!
*Opinions expressed in this article by Brent T. Maranto, are not necessarily those of the Western States Hockey League*
| 
