The Grizzlies Mid-season Awards 2011-12 Season (By The Social Media Team)

Grizzlies Mid-season Awards

(As voted on by the Grizzlies Social Media Team who are: Tony Burrows, Mike Mellings, Dave Findlay and Roy Anthonisen)

With the halfway mark of the Victoria Grizzlies 2011-12 season upon us, the members of the Grizzlies social media team voted on our choices for the mid-season player awards. Here are the results:

MVP - Wes Myron:

The Grizzlies first line center has shown time and again why he is heading to Boston University of the NCAA on scholarship next season. With 40 points in just 22 games he leads the team with 1.8 points-per-game. He also has scored 3 game winning goals so far this year. (Runner-up: Wade Murphy)

Top Offensive Player - Wade Murphy:

The BCHL’s third leading point scorer with 59 points in 35 games including an incredible 23 game point streak is an easy choice for top offensive player. (Runner-up Wes Myron)

Most Improved Player (from the beginning of the year): Chase Kaiser:

With 10 points in 29 games his point total is not eye-catching, but he does the little things well and he has been steadily improving offensively and has earned the coaches trust enough to be chosen to take and make a penalty shot in overtime recently to beat Cowichan Valley. (Runner-up: Nolan De Jong)

Hardest Worker - Cameron Lawson:

With 18 points in 32 games he has put up respectable offensive numbers and is trusted by the coaches to play the point on the first power play unit. He seldom loses a puck battle along the boards and consistently outworks bigger players to come away with the puck. If his current injury keeps him out of action for any length of time, he will be sorely missed. (Runner-up: Mike Moran)

Top Offensive Defenceman - Taylor Pernerowski:

Averaging almost a point-per-game from the blueline with 21 points in 27 games to go along with 4 power play goals. His absence due to a concussion has been felt the last couple of weeks. (Runner-up: Stefan Gonzales)

Top Defensive Defenceman - Stefan Gonzales:

His mid-season acquisition and subsequent pairing with rookie Nolan De Jong has really helped solidify the back end for the Grizzlies and given the 16 year old De Jong the confidence to take more offensive chances knowing he has a veteran to cover for him. (Runner-up: Nolan De Jong)

Top rookie( no previous BCHL or WHL team): Nolan De Jong

The smooth skating 16 year old rookie started slowly and took some time to adjust to the BCHL, but after settling in he has consistently been one of the Grizzlies top defenceman. With 7 points in 31 games the youngster has the offensive instincts to drastically improve in that area. His potential should make Grizzlies fans excited for the future. (Runner-up Garrett Rockafellow)

Top Newcomer (prior BCHL or WHL team): Mike Moran:

The import from Marshfield, Mass. has been a standout two-way player with 41 points in 33 games, 7 power play goals, 4 game winning goals and 1 shorthanded goal. His recent addition to the top line to play with Murphy and Myron on the 3M line has produced positive results, Moran is a good leader and hard worker who despite being a first year Grizzlies player has been given an “A“ by the coaching staff. Moran is another member of the Grizzlies heading off to Boston University on scholarship. (Runner-up: Jarryd Ten Vaanholt)

Write up by Mike Mellings(nice work Mike).