Men’s Hockey: Alberta’s TJ Foster wins Outstanding Player & Top Scorer
NEW WESTMINSTER, BC – Alberta Golden Bears second-year forward TJ Foster is the 2014-15 Canada West men's hockey Outstanding Player of the Year, the conference announced today.
The Slave Lake, AB native finished the regular season second in goals (18) and second in assists (24) to tally a league-high 42 points, garnering the Dave "Sweeney" Schriner Trophy for top scorer in the process.
Golden Bears teammate Jesse Craig secured his second Mervyn "Red" Dutton Award, as he was honoured as the Outstanding Defenceman of the Year.
Calgary Dinos fourth-year Kris Lazaruk was voted as Goaltender of the Year, after leading the conference in goals against average (1.67), save percentage (0.938) and shutouts (3). In addition, Lazaruk and teammate Jacob DeSerres combined to have the best team goals against average to win the Adam Kryczka Memorial Trophy.
Mount Royal Cougars head coach Bert Gilling was selected Coach of the Year for guiding his squad to a 17-10-1 record on his first year on the helm.
Dinos forward Elgin Pearce won the Sportmanship & Athletic Ability Award, while his team collected the Fair Play Trophy for least penalty minutes. Manitoba Bisons forward Jordan DePape was voted for the Student-Athlete Community Service Award for his work on the ice, in the classroom and in the community.
OUTSTANDING PLAYER OF THE YEAR & TOP SCORER OF THE YEAR. Sophomore University of Alberta Golden Bears forward TJ Foster, an alumnus of the Edmonton Oil Kings of the Western Hockey League, has been awarded the Canada West Outstanding Player Award, as well as the Dave "Sweeney" Schriner trophy, as the leading point scorer in Canada West, and will be the conference nominee for the CIS Senator Joseph A. Sullivan trophy nominee for the 2014-15 season.
Foster, who is originally from Slave Lake, Alberta, had a dynamite second CIS season, leading Canada West in points with 42 in 28 games, while also winning the WHL Graduate of the Month Award in January, after scoring 15 points in 10 conference games, the ArcelorMittal Dofasco CIS Male Athlete of the Week honour on January 5, 2015, and he was selected to represent Canada at the 2015 Winter Universiade in Granada, Spain where he helped Canada's men's hockey earn a bronze medal after notching six points in six games.
Prior to joining the Bears two seasons ago, and following a WHL career where he collected 256 points in 338 games played with the Oil Kings, Foster attended the Washington Capitals camp. In his debut CIS season, Foster banked 23 points, helping Alberta win the Canada West and CIS championship trophies. He nearly doubled those totals in his second season, finishing with 18 goals and 24 assists as the Golden Bears finished first in the Canada West regular season.
His 42 points place him second overall in CIS scoring, but he led the country in plus/minus (+41) and finished second in game winning goals with four.
He is the 13th member of the Bears hockey program to win the Most Outstanding Player Award in Canada West, and the 13th U of A player to win the conference scoring title.
"In only his second season of CIS Hockey, TJ has proven himself to be one of the top offensive players in the nation. He has really elevated his game this season and has been a key ingredient to our success. He is an NHL caliber skater, which makes him a constant threat when he is on the ice. He plays a 200-foot game and is used in all situations over the course of a game. A player with a lot of poise with the puck, TJ makes great decisions in all areas on the ice with his excellent hockey sense and awareness. When he competes and battles there isn't anyone that can stop him in the conference. The coaching staff moved him to centre this season and he has thrived using his speed up the middle and driving his line. He has been shooting a lot more this season and this has created more opportunities for himself and the team, while still being an extremely skilled play maker that makes his teammates better," said Golden Bears head coach Ian Herbers.
OUTSTANDING DEFENCEMAN OF THE YEAR. Fifth-year University of Alberta Golden Bears rearguard Jesse Craige has won the Mervyn "Red" Dutton award as the Canada West Outstanding Defenceman of the Year for the 2014-15 season.
This is the second time Craige, who is a native of Edmonton, has won the award after he was chosen as the conference's most outstanding defenceman in 2013. It also marks the third consecutive time a blueliner from the Golden Bears has won the award after Jordan Rowley took it home last season. In fact, 18 previous Mervyn "Red" Dutton awards have been handed out to members of the Golden Bears blueline.
Craige finished second in points by defencemen in Canada West this season, banking 19 in 26 games. He also was selected to be on Canada's team at the 2015 Winter Universiade, and was chosen to be an alternate captain of the squad that went on to win a bronze medal. He scored a hat-trick against Russia, leading Canada to a comeback 5-2 win, and finished the tournament with five points in six games.
"Jesse has proven himself to be a leader on and off the ice during his time as a Golden Bear. He plays the game with heart and character and those attributes have helped make him one of the top players in Canada West hockey. He has great offensive instincts and competes and battles all over the ice. An offensively gifted defenceman, Jesse is a scoring threat on every shift. Besides his on-ice skill and success, he has been a mentor for our younger players and has led the way and showed them how to be a Golden Bear," said Golden Bears head coach Ian Herbers.
Craige now advances as the conference nominee for the CIS Defenceman of the Year award.
GOALTENDER OF THE YEAR & BEST TEAM GAA. For the second year in the row, a Calgary Dinos netminder is the top puck stopper in the Canada West with fourth-year netminder Kris Lazaruk being nominated for the CIS Goaltender of the Year award.
Lazaruk, a fifth-year arts student from Edmonton, suited up for 14 games for the Dinos, surrendering just 22 goals for a sparkling 1.67 goals-against average. He completed the year with a 9-4-0 record, a 0.938 save percentage and three shutouts.
The 6-1, 185-pound goaltender earned all three of his shutouts in a row to set a new Canada West regular season record. The streak, which began on October 10, saw Lazaruk shutout Regina, Saskatchewan and UBC before allowing his first goal on November 14. The new conference record stands at 275:03.
"We have been fortunate to have great goaltenders and Kris had an amazing year from start to finish," said Dinos head coach Mark Howell. "Credit has to go to our goaltending coach Brad Kirkwood and to Jacob DeSerres for always pushing Kris. Our goaltenders will always say our team defence helps them be good, but they have been exceptional and he is very deserving of this award."
ROOKIE OF THE YEAR & ALL-ROOKIE TEAM. University of Alberta Golden Bears hockey rookie forward Stephane Legault has won the Canada West Rookie of the Year Award, and will go forward as the conference nominee for the CIS Clare Drake Award for the 2014-15 season.
Legault is the seventh member of the U of A program to win the Canada West honour, and the first since Eric Hunter was honoured in 2008.
The former Edmonton Oil King, and WHL champion, scored six goals, 15 assists and 21 points while playing in all 28 conference games this season. He was the conference rookie leader in assists and shots, and he finished sixth in team points.
"After helping the Edmonton Oil Kings win the WHL championship and advance to the 2013 Memorial Cup, Stephane took a year off from hockey and did not play in 2013-14. Despite the year away from the game, he has not missed a beat in his first season with the Golden Bears and has proven to be a great addition to our program. A great skater, he is relentless and tenacious on the puck. His versatility makes him a valuable member of the team - he can play either wing, as well as both power-play and penalty kill. The coaches can put him out in any situation and be able to depend on him. Stephane wants to be on the ice when the game is on the line and he looks to the coach to be a difference maker," said Golden Bears head coach Ian Herbers.
Joining Legault on the All-Rookie Team are Bears teammates Riley Kieser and Dylan Bredo, UBC Thunderbirds goaltender Eric Williams, Mount Royal Cougars defenceman Mackenzie Johnston and Saskatchewan Huskies forward Michael Sofillas.
COACH OF THE YEAR. Since arriving at Mount Royal in July, first-year coach Bert Gilling has completely overhauled the men's hockey program. Not only has he improved the product on the ice but Gilling has built a proud, thriving culture surrounding his program. His magnetic personality and winning attitude have built a strong foundation for not just the hockey team but the entire department.
On the ice, Gilling led Mount Royal to their best regular season since joining Canada West. The Cougars went 17-10-1 en route to a third-place finish in the regular season. The Cougars managed to win some crucial matchups this season, including taking seven of eight points off the #4 Calgary Dinos. They also managed a thrilling upset of the #1 Alberta Golden Bears.
"Mount Royal University and Cougar Athletics are extremely proud of Bert and the recognition he has received as CWUAA Coach of the Year. In his first year at the helm, Bert has instilled in our men's hockey program his values, beliefs and work ethic which the student-athletes have bought into, allowing them to thrive both in the classroom and on the ice. Bert's vision is much more than just hockey, as he continues to challenge the department to find new levels of success," said Cougars Athletic Director Karla Karch.
SPORTSMANSHIP & ATHLETIC ABILITY AWARD & FAIR PLAY TROPHY. Second year Open Studies student Elgin Pearce of the Calgary Dinos is the winner of the UBC Hockey Alumni Trophy and is the Canada West nominee for the CIS R.W. Pugh Award.
Pearce, a 6-0, 175-pound forward from Port Coquitlam, B.C. had a breakout year during his first full season with the Dinos. Pearce dressed in all 28 games during the 2014-15 season and led the Dinos in goals and points. He would score 17 goals and 14 assists for 31 points with only eight penalty minutes. The highlight of his regular season came in November against the No. 1 Golden Bears when he found the back of the net on four occasions and finished the evening with five points.
Pearce was also a part of Team Canada's bronze medal win at the 2015 Winter Universiade in Granada, Spain.
Both the UBC Hockey Alumni Trophy and CIS R.W. Pugh Award are annually given to the player who stands out for both his strong play and high level of sportsmanship. Pearce becomes the third Dinos player to win the UBC Hockey Alumni Trophy and first since Reid Jorgensen in 2010.
"When Elgin came to us last year he was a very good player, but this year he had had an entirely different focus," said Dinos head coach Mark Howell. "He had a great summer and came in very determined to have a solid year. From the middle of October on, he became one of our most dynamic forwards by competing really hard, playing physical and going to the hard areas – all while being very disciplined."
STUDENT-ATHLETE COMMUNITY SERVICE AWARD. Manitoba Bisons second-year forward Jordan DePape has been selected for the 2014-15 Canada West Student-Athlete Community Service Award for exhibiting excellence in athletics, academics and citizenship.
The 6'0", 195 lbs. forward was seventh in conference scoring with 27 points (13 goals, 14 assists) and his 13 goals was good for tied for fifth most in the conference while playing in all 28 conference regular season games. In addition on the ice, the alternate captain had four power play goals – tied for seventh in Canada West plus sixth in Canada West shots on goal with 93 and a plus/minus rating of +8 while showing his sportsmanship by only taking ten penalty minutes throughout the 2014-15 campaign. His skill, athletic ability, intelligence, and competitiveness were recognized by coaches throughout the Canada West conference as he was selected to represent Team Canada at the 2015 Winter Universiade Games (World University Games) where they won a bronze medal in February 2015.
"We are very proud of Jordan and what he has achieved this season. He is an exceptional representative of the University of Manitoba and the Bison men's hockey program. Jordan exemplifies what all CIS student-athletes should strive for – positive leadership and excellence in academics, athletics, and community service," said Bisons head coach Mike Sirant.
DePape will represent the conference as the Canada West nominee for the CIS Randy Gregg Award.
FIRST & SECOND ALL-STAR TEAMS. Joining Foster, Craige and Lazaruk on the First Team are Alberta forward Jordan Hickmott, Mount Royal forward Cody Cartier and Calgary defenceman Kodie Curran.
Named to the Second Team are Pearce, Saskatchewan's Ryan Holfeld and Matthew Delahey, Alberta's Jordan Rowley and Kruise Reddick, and Mount Royal's Tyler Fiddler.
Curran, Craige, Hickmott, Rowley and Delahey are all repeat All-Star honourees.
Complete list of 2014-15 Canada West Men's Hockey Awards winners:
Outstanding Player of the Year: TJ Foster, Alberta
Outstanding Defenceman of the Year: Jesse Craige, Alberta
Goaltender of the Year: Kris Lazaruk, Calgary
Rookie of the Year: Stephane Legault, Alberta
Coach of the Year: Bert Gilling, Mount Royal
Sportsmanship & Athletic Ability Award: Elgin Pearce, Calgary
Student-Athlete Community Service Award: Jordan DePape, Manitoba
Top Scorer of the Year: TJ Foster, Alberta
Best Team GAA of the Year: Kris Lazaruk & Jacob DeSerres, Calgary
Fair Play Trophy: Calgary Dinos
2014-15 Canada West First Team All-Stars (repeat-winners in bold):
Goal:
Kris Lazaruk, Calgary
Defence:
Kodie Curran, Calgary
Jesse Craige, Alberta
Forwards:
TJ Foster, Alberta
Jordan Hickmott, Alberta
Cody Cartier, Mount Royal
2014-15 Canada West Second Team All-Stars (repeat-winners in bold):
Goal:
Ryan Holfeld, Saskatchewan
Defence:
Jordan Rowley, Alberta
Matthew Delahey, Saskatchewan
Forwards:
Elgin Pearce, Calgary
Tyler Fiddler, Mount Royal
Kruise Reddick, Alberta
2014-15 Canada West All-Rookie Team:
Goal:
Eric Williams, UBC
Defence:
Mackenzie Johnston, Mount Royal
Dylan Bredo, Alberta
Forwards:
Michael Sofillas, Saskatchewan
Stephane Legault, Alberta
Ryan Kieser, Alberta
Image Credit: Calgary Dinos/Manitoba Bisons/Regina Cougars