The Nanaimo Clippers were eliminated in the first round of the playoffs, but will still be able to look back at a lot of good things that happened on the ice in 2016-17.
The junior A hockey club held its year-end banquet on Wednesday and handed out team awards.
Winning the premier award, Most Valuable Player, was forward Matt Creamer.
Forward Jamie Collins collected two major awards as he was named both the Rookie of the Year and the recipient of the Lisa McPherson Award for heart, dedication and courage.
Sean Buchanan was chosen Top Defenceman.
Team captain Spencer Hewson was voted Most Popular Player, while fellow forward Lucas Finner won the Jason Gow Memorial Award as most exciting player. Creamer was chosen Most Inspirational Player, forward Jake Harris was Most Improved Player and centre Tristan Crozier earned Best Two-Way Player. Defencemen Taylor Karel and David Eccles shared the Unsung Hero Award. Forward David Silye won the Coach’s Award and forward Matt Kowalski received Scholastic Player of the Year. Forward Ben Solin was presented with a trophy recognizing him as the team’s Top Scorer.
Volunteer of the Year was James Dickinson.