This past weekend the Nitehawks hosted their 44th annual awards banquet, wrapping up a tremendous regular season and setting the tone for the playoffs. The Nitehawks finished the regular season with a 33-11-0-0 record, clinching the Neil Murdoch division regular season title and the Kootenay Conference title, confirming home ice advantage through the first three rounds of the KIJHL playoffs. The Hawks scored the most goals through 44 games league wide, with 208. Averaging 4.7 goals a game and were tied for first with the best goal differential of +83. Off the ice this Nitehawks team was something to behold. With countless hours of volunteering and time spent within the community that has so strongly supported the team this season.
As part of our year end award ceremony we want to take this opportunity to thank all of the volunteers who give their time to ensure game nights run smoothly and that both players and fans have the best experience possible at our games! So many of our volunteers do multiple jobs throughout the season and on game nights and volunteer so many hours.
We want to extend a heartfelt thank you to all of our volunteers for your incredible support on game nights throughout the season. Your time, energy and dedication make a huge difference in creating a fun, organized, and welcoming experience for everyone involved. We truly couldn’t do it without you, and we are so grateful for your commitment to our team and community.
Thank you for being such an important part of our success! We would like to individually recognize those who helped at games this season.
Stamping & Counting- Susan Khalembach, Candice Legge, Heather Mason, Aiden Fayant, Kevin & Michelle Ihas, Jake Swanson, Steve Piccolo
Merch Sales- Stephanie Spero, Deena Camozzi, Michelle and Kevin Ihas, Heather Mason & Steve Piccolo
Programs- Katrina Mae, Larry Khalembach, Lacey Johnson, Deena Camozzi, Heather Mason
Program Design- Michelle Ihas
Tickets- Zack Cure, Aiden Fayant
Announcers- Pat Beauchamp, Dennis Bedin, Toni Boutry, Cooper Ross, Steve
Piccolo, Chris Walker, & George Vassilakakis
Clock- Cory Ross, Grant Boyce, Michelle MacLean
Ipad Stats- Michelle MacLean, Rocky Dickson, and Chris Walker
Goal Judges- Larry Khalembach, Mic Spero, Brandon Johnson, Zach Piccolo and Max Harmsma
Anthem Singers- Llora McTeer, Alexandra Schlosser, Caitlyn Drake and PatBeauchamp
50/50- Toni Boutry, and Kat Lewin
Money & Accounting- Catherine & Ray Gusford Jarvis, Terry Macdonell, Jake Swanson
Music- John Piccolo, Jonelle Piccolo and Kailey & Jayce Reinhard
Media- John Couts, Kevin DeLoume and Ben Phillips,
Jackson Chouinard and Geoff Fontes
Photography- Jonelle & Elyssa Piccolo, Paulette Newton and Lacey Johnson
Concession- Bernie Piccolo, Sheron Lavigne, Joanne Hamilton, Grace Savill, Pauline Foley, and Sharon Ewings
Security- Chris Weiberger, Al Pasin, Craig Fox, Al Elliot, Danny Mason, John & Randy
Beer Shack- Special Olympics Volunteers
Cheer Team- Peyton Fowler, Poppy Terpstra, Clarissa VanSteaden & Tilly Thompson
An incredible amount of time is spent by these individuals to make our game night’s a success. Thank you to all of them for their time and efforts!
Behind these volunteers, organizing them and creating an unforgettable game night experience all season long is our game night coordinator Ashley Johnson. Her dedication to our team over the last two seasons has seen the Hawks attendance grow steadily, with a 23% increase this season alone. We want to thank Ashley for the time she gives to this team and the spirit she embodies as our game night coordinator.
The Nitehawks are pleased to announce this season’s award winners as follows!
Most Dedicated Player-Ollie Clement
Most Sportsmanlike-Owen Dickson
Most Valuable Player-Brady Magarrell
Top Scorer-Brady Magarrell
Rookie of the Year-Michiel Leenders
Top Defenseman- Ryan Neufeld
Most Improved-Nathan Planger
Award of Merit-Ollie Clement, Ty Noseworthy
Most Popular-Rhett Newton
Pat Corrado Award-Landan Uzeloc
Tom Meakes Award-Toni Boutry
The Nitehawks also took home four of the eight league division awards announced this week. Brady Magarrell is the Neil Murdoch division MVP. The Hawks forward was tied for the league lead in goals with 33 and had another 42 assists to boot. Magarrell also went on the fourth longest point streak, at 13 games, recording a staggering 31 points in that span.
The Neil Murdoch Division Rookie of the Year is Michiel Leenders. Leenders finished his inaugural season with the Hawks with 53 points. The Calgary, Alberta native finished tied for fourth amongst all rookies in scoring while adding 13 powerplay points for the Hawks in 42 games.
As he did for his team, Owen Dickson claimed the most sportsmanship award for the division and is without a doubt in the running for the league award as well. Playing in all 44 games, the Hawks forward and assistant captain, didn’t take a single penalty all year long. The Trail local contributed in every situation for the Nitehawks, logging 64 minutes of powerplay time and 69 minutes on the penalty kill.
After passing 1200 KIJHL wins as a head coach, Terry Jones led the Hawks to another Neil Murdoch regular season division title. The KIJHL’s all time winningest coach has claimed the Coach of the Year for the Neil Murdoch for 7th time.
The Hawks would like to congratulate all of our award winners, both at the team and league level. Playoffs start this Friday as the Hawks host the Spokane Braves in the Neil Murdoch Division Semi-finals.
