2016-2017 Kelowna Rockets Award Winners
This years Kelowna Rockets Awards took place this afternoon at the Kelowna Community Theatre.
Guests were served delicious appetizers and samplers and mingled with players before entering the theatre for the presentation.
The presentation began with the event MC Bill Barnes saying a few opening words. He then passed the mic on to Rockets Owner, President, and General Manager Bruce Hamilton who gave a speech of his own. Next up was Head Coach Jason Smith who had did a fine job as well. Finally team Captain Rodney Southam came to the podium to share some kind words to his teammates and the organization. Next up was the awards.
Award winners came as follows:
Most Sportsmanlike, sponsored by Popeye’s Kelowna, presented by Jeff MacIssac: Lucas Johansen (39 penalty minutes in 68 games)
Scholastic Player, sponsored by the Team Doctors, presented by Dr. Mike Bobyn: Konrad Belcourt
Top Defenceman, sponsored by Blue Sky at Black Mountain and Black Mountain Golf Course, presented by Tobi McNeil: Cal Foote
Most Improved, sponsored by Western Star RJames Management Group, presented by Jim Siegmann: Kole Lind (last season 70 games played and contributed 14 goals, 27 assists, for 41 points, he had a 46 point increase this season)
Top Scorer, sponsored by Pushor Mitchell, presented by Patrick Bobyn: Kole Lind (30 goals, 57 assists, 87 points, 70 games played)
Rookie of the Year, sponsored by Capri Insurance, presented by Glen Rea: Nolan Foote (19 goals, 16 assists, 35 points, 52 games played)
Humanitarian, sponsored by the Hamilton family, presented by Anne-Marie Hamilton: Nick Merkley
Unsung Hero, sponsored by Grant Thornton, presented by Andrew Ingenhorst: Devante Stephens (led defence with 13 goals)
Plus Minus, sponsored by GSL Group, presented by Dan Fogarty: Cal Foote (+39)
Top Defensive Forward / Hollis Peirce Award, donated by Dr. Murray Smith, presented by Bruce Hamilton: Rodney Southam
Most Valuable Player, sponsored by MacDermott’s Mens Wear, presented by Noel Anderson: Calvin Thurkauf (led team with 33 goals in 60 games)
KELOWNA, CANADA – MARCH 19: at the Kelowna Rockets Awards Ceremony on March 19, 2017 at the Kelowna Community Theater in Kelowna, British Columbia, Canada. (Photo By Cindy Rogers/Nyasa Photography, *** Local Caption ***
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The awards mark the end of the regular season and the start of the playoffs. Kelowna is set to face the Kamloops Blazers starting on Friday night, March 24th, at 7:05pm in Kelowna.
Game two for that series will be Saturday, March 25th, at 7:05pm at Prospera Place. Game three the series heads to Kamloops on Tuesday, March 28th, at 7:00pm. Game four is on Wednesday, March 29th at 7:00pm. If needed game five goes back to Kelowna on Friday, March 31st. Game six is in Kamloops on Sunday, April 2nd, at 7:00pm. Game seven will be back in Kelowna on Tuesday, April 4th, at 7:05pm.
Playoff tickets go on sale in the morning of Monday March 20th, at 9:30am.
Tickets are available for Rockets home games through selectyourtickets.com, at the Prospera Place box office or by phone at 250-762-5050.
View the awards in photos at www.nyasa.ca – all the photos of the ceremony were taken by Cindy Rogers.
