With the Kootenay International Junior Hockey League’s (KIJHL) regular season done, the 100 Mile House Wranglers are off to the playoffs but first celebrated the team and it’s connection to the community at the organization’s awards banquet at the Creekside Seniors Centre in 100 Mile House on Feb. 19.
“It really is a family affair. We all get to know each other and it’s kind of like poetry. I think back to year one and how difficult it was to put on a game because we just worked so hard to try to make sure everything was just right and now it just happens every game and it’s just wonderful,” said team president Tom Bachynski in a speech.
Dale Hladun, general manager and head coach of the Wranglers also spoke of the team’s connection with the community, particularly calling the billet families as the “unsung heroes” in his speech. He was thankful for their willingness to open their homes to teenagers and young adults they didn’t know prior to the season’s beginning and going beyond to help them, like letting them borrow their car or spotting them some extra cash.
Bachynski and Hladun also mentioned the depth and talent of this year’s team, who went undefeated in October before having a dismal December. Fortunately, the Wranglers rebounded and qualified for playoffs in the fifth season in a row including a 6-3-1 run in their last ten games.
Bachynski said in his speech that it all came down to adversity, which included the recovery of the summer’s wildfires.
“Then there are some little things that have gone on that we don’t notice but we don’t know why,” he said. “I’m thinking of Sevy’s (Jakob Severson) mask… I think that speaks volumes for Sevy.”
Severson wears a pink mask with the words “Fight Back”, a homage to his mother who is battling cancer. He also mentioned Brevin Gervais, a promising young defenseman from last season who suffered a brain haemorrhage in Jan. 2017. Several players this season were on the same team as Gervais.
“It’s a lot of adversity but adversity either breaks people or makes them and it certainly seems it has made our organization stronger and closer and more ready and ready to fight,” said the president.
A number of awards were also given out during the banquet, including eight awards for the players.
Defenceman Joel Patsey received three of the awards: Fan’s Favourite of the Year, Most Outstanding Defenceman and Rookie of the Year.
“I certainly don’t think it was that unique or crazy, I think it was obvious. He’s that good of a player,” said Hladun of Patsey winning three awards. “The fans better start enjoy watching him in the playoffs because he won’t be here anymore.”
The coach mentioned several teams including the Merritt Centennials and the Langley Riverman of the British Columbia Hockey League have touched base with Hladun over Patsey’s future in hockey. Patsey is waiting before the end of the Wrangler’s playoff campaign before deciding.
Patsey also went to the KIJHL Top Prospects Game in January.
“I couldn’t have won any of these awards without my team,” he said.
Most Sportsman Like went to defenceman Kevin Fillier, who Hladun described as someone who plays hard and honourably and doesn’t get caught up in chirping opposing players or the referee.
The Player’s Choice Award went to goalie Jakob Severson. The award is designed to be given to the player who everyone goes to with their problems on or off the ice and keeps the team focused.
“It’s always good to win an award that’s voted by the players and your teammates. It’s good to have their respect and it’s always a big thing in team sports,” Severson said. “I think we got a great group here and it’s been a fun junior career and I’m happy to end it here.”
James Gordon captured Most Outstanding Forward.
Captain Justin Bond received top scorer with 29 goals and 30 assists for 59 points, a career best. Like Severson, Bond is also in his final year of junior eligibility. He has spent four seasons with the franchise and leads the record books with all-time points (156), goals (77), assists (79) and penalty minutes (381). He was eight games shy of matching former player Stephen Egan’s records of games played (182).
Kolby Page was given the Most Valuable Player Award.
Two non-player personnel awards were also awarded. The Billets Award was given to Crystal Dawn Langton and the President’s Award was given to Linda Bond.