The Kelowna Rockets hockey club will hand out it's year end awards tonight, celebrating the accomplishments of the team during the 2007-2008 season. I thought I'd share my thoughts on who deserves to win individual awards this season.
MVP: Colin Long. While Jamie Benn was a huge factor in the Rockets success this season, the emergence of Colin Long can not be overlooked. No one can tell me at the start of the season that they believed Colin Long would challenge for a league scoring title, let alone record a 100 point season. Long receives the MVP award because of his consistent play. Long was held off the score-sheet just 15 times this season, while being the only Rocket to play in all 72 games. Long was in on 40 percent of the team's goals. Long didn't win the league scoring title, but surely he will be a candidate to win it all next season. For those that think Benn should be given the award, I want to see him play a full 72 game schedule before giving him the award outright. Last years winner was Chris Ray.
Top Scorer: Colin Long. Long had 100 points this season, leading his team in assists with 69. Long also averaged a team high 1.39 points per game. Last years winner was Cody Almond.
Most Improved Player: Colin Long. You don't put up 72 points more than the season before and not pick up the award. Last years winner was Cody Almond.
Rookie of the Year: This award has to shared by Jamie Benn and Tyson Barrie. Benn's impact in his first season in the WHL was impressive to say the least. The 18 year-old scored 33 goals, the most of any WHL rookie. Had he played in all 72 games, he would have ended the year with a projected 47. Benn is a sure fire 50 goal scorer next season as he puts the fear into opposition goaltenders with his quick release. Benn cannot share this award without 16 year-old Tyson Barrie, who had over 40 points from the defensive core. No rookie d-man in the WHL had more points from the back end than Barrie, who also set a new Kelowna Rockets bench mark for points by a 16 year-old. Look for Barrie down the road to break the franchise record for points by a defenseman, held by Tomas Slovak (71 pts) in 2002-2003. Last years winner was Tyler Myers.
Unsung Hero: Tysen Dowzak. It was his best season in a Rockets uniform, as the big man emerged as a solid defensive defenseman. Dowzak saw the score sheet just 13 times this season - 13 assists - but he was especially good when Luke Schenn was playing for Canada at the World Juniors. Dowzak was a +29 this season, just behind team leader Jamie Benn. Last season Dowzak was a -24. Dowzak is a slam dunk to be an overage on the Rockets next season. Last year's award winner was James McEwan.
Scholastic Player of the Yr: Collin Bowman. The rookie defenseman has not only excelled on the ice as a 16 year-old d-man, but has been a star in the classroom. Last years winner was Cody Almond.
Top Defenseman: Luke Schenn. The 18 year-old really came into his own in his 3rd season on the Rockets defensive core. Schenn was concerned about points early on in the season, but then was persuaded to stick to being a shutdown man. The move caught the eye of NHL scouts. A top five pick in this summers NHL draft, Schenn won gold for Canada at the World Juniors and was clearly the best of the bunch back on the Rockets blue line. Last years winner was Luke Schenn.
Top Defensive Forward: Milan Kytnar. How many European born players pick up that award? Kytnar was one of the Rockets best players after the Christmas break. Kytnar was projected to put up some good numbers in the offensive zone, yet his defensive exploits and hard work on the penalty kill were not unnoticed. Lucas Bloodoff won the award last season, but can you give him the honor after scoring 21 goals, 13 of which were on the power play?
Top Plus/Minus: Jamie Benn was a +32 this season, just 8 points back of league leader Greg Scott of the Seattle Thunderbirds, who was a +40.
Am I wrong or am I right? We will find out tonight!
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