SASKATOON (CIS) – Lucas Bloodoff, a third-year forward
from Saint Mary’s University, was named the CIS player of the
year in men’s hockey, Wednesday night.
The native of Castlegar, B.C., became the third player in school
history to claim the Senator Joseph A. Sullivan Trophy. Forward
Marc Rancourt and goaltender Mark Locken had been honoured in
2008-09 and 1982-83, respectively.
Other winners announced during the SaskTel Awards Presentation
at TCU Place in Saskatoon were UQTR rearguard Pierre-Luc Lessard,
who was named CIS defenceman of the year; Alberta netminder Kurtis
Mucha, selected as the country’s best goaltender; Carleton
forward Mitch Porowski, who received the Clare Drake Award as
rookie of the year; Alberta forward Jordan Hickmott, who claimed
the R.W. Pugh Award as the nation’s most sportsmanlike
player; Saint Mary’s head coach Trevor Stienburg, who
captured the Father George Kehoe Memorial Award; and UPEI forward
Jordan Knox, who merited the Dr. Randy Gregg Award recognizing his
excellence in hockey, academics and community involvement.
The PotashCorp University Cup, presented by Co-op, gets underway
Thursday at the Credit Union Centre and culminates Sunday at 5:30
p.m. Saskatchewan Time with the national final, live on Sportsnet
ONE.
Sportsnet also has live coverage of the final day of pool play,
on Saturday, with contests scheduled for 1:30 p.m. and 8 p.m.
local. All seven matches from the championship will also be webcast
live on www.CIS-SIC.tv.
SENATOR JOSEPH A. SULLIVAN TROPHY (player of the year):
Lucas Bloodoff, Saint Mary’s
Bloodoff is the fifth AUS player in the past six years to win
the Sullivan Trophy.
The talented forward led the Atlantic conference in scoring this
season with 38 points in 28 games. Also named a first-team
all-Canadian, he netted a league-high 20 goals and added 18
assists. His totals included three game-winning markers and a
CIS-leading 12 power-play goals.
In three seasons of university hockey, Bloodoff, a former member
of the WHL’s Kelowna Rockets, has now accumulated 76 career
points in 82 conference games.
“At 6-foot-2, 230-pound, Lucas is a pro-level conditioned
athlete who has gained a reputation as a punishing fore-checker and
extremely hard to play against,” said head coach Trevor
Stienburg.
“Whether at practice, in the gym or during a game,
the expectations on Lucas have been extremely high and he has
delivered on those expectations. Lucas is a natural leader who
brings the most out in his teammates and those around him. After 16
years of coaching at this level, his commitment to his team and
teammates is second to none and he has made our team, department
and school a better place with his personality, professionalism and
passion. He epitomizes not only what anyone would want in a student
athlete but more so what you would want in a son.”
The other finalists for the Sullivan Trophy were forwards
Félix Petit of UQTR and Blair Macaulay of Manitoba.
DEFENCEMAN OF THE YEAR: Pierre-Luc Lessard,
UQTR
Lessard is the first UQTR player to be named the best defenceman
in CIS since the inception of the award four years ago.
The business administration student was the top-scoring
rearguard in the country in the regular season with five goals and
26 assists for 31 points in 28 games. He also spent only eight
minutes in the penalty box, which earned him most sportsmanlike
status in the OUA East. After three straight selections as an OUA
all-star, this marks his first nomination as an all-Canadian.
Before joining the Patriotes four years ago, the native of
Thetford Mines, Que., played in the QMJHL with Gatineau, Prince
Edward Island and Baie-Comeau. He was a fourth-round draft pick of
the Ottawa Senators in 2006.
“Pierre-Luc is our captain this season and brings a lot of
leadership to our team both on and off the ice,” said
first-year UQTR bench boss Gilles Bouchard. “He gets very
involved in the play and doesn’t take a night off. His
mobility and vision, combined to his offensive abilities make him a
player we can use in all game situations.”
Saint Mary’s Michael D’Orazio and Alberta’s
Jesse Craige were also in the running for the award.
GOALTENDER OF THE YEAR: Kurtis Mucha,
Alberta
Mucha, a third-year netminder, is the second consecutive Golden
Bear to win the award after teammate Réal Cyr claimed it in
2012.
The former Portland Winterhawk had a stellar season as he led
CIS in goals against average, with a sparkling 1.30, and in save
percentage (.936), while earning a 13-2 record. The Sherwood Park,
Alta., native also played a key role in setting three Canada West
records over the course of the campaign. He and Cyr combined to
give Alberta a record three consecutive shutouts to close out the
regular season, two of which were earned by Mucha. The Bears also
yielded a conference-record fewest goals against this season (45).
On top of that, Mucha became the first goalie in Canada West
history to be credited with scoring a goal.
After shutting out his final two opponents in the regular
season, Mucha then carried that impenetrable play over to the
playoffs when he posted two more whitewashes in a two-game sweep of
the Calgary Dinos. His personal shutout streak ended at 335 minutes
and six seconds after he allowed a goal to Saskatchewan in the
second game of the best-of-three league final.
Mucha and Cyr repeated this season as winners of the Adam
Kryczka Memorial Trophy for the lowest goals against average by a
team in Canada West play.
“Kurtis has been one of our team’s top, and most
consistent, student-athletes since the start of camp in
September,” said first-year Golden Bears coach Ian Herbers.
“He has proven himself to be the top goaltender in Canada
West hockey and CIS this season with his outstanding play. He has
been a big part of our team success and has set the bar high for
Canada West hockey goaltenders. Kurtis gives our team a chance to
win every game he plays. It starts with his work ethic, focus and
attitude, both in the classroom and on the ice. He challenges
himself to improve every day, which forces his teammates to be
better. He has become an excellent leader and representative for
Golden Bears hockey and CIS.”
The other nominees for top-goalie honours were Wayne Savage of
UPEI and Ryan Daniels of Wilfrid Laurier.
CLARE DRAKE AWARD (rookie of the year): Mitch Porowski,
Carleton
Porowski, who hails from Ottawa, becomes the first CIS major
award winner from Carleton since the Ravens entered OUA hockey in
2007.
In his inaugural university campaign, Porowski collected 19
goals and 19 assists in 28 conference games, which was tops among
OUA East division rookies, 14 points ahead of second place. His 38
points ranked the arts student sixth overall in Ontario and he led
the Ravens in goals, points, power play markers (9) and game
winning goals (4). For his efforts, he was named a first-team OUA
all-star.
“His consistent dominance in the offensive zone protecting
the puck and driving the net made him an impact player throughout
the season,” said Carleton head coach Marty Johnston.
Forwards Mike Cazzola of Acadia and James Henry of Manitoba were
also nominated for the Clare Drake Award.
R.W. PUGH AWARD (most sportsmanlike player): Jordan
Hickmott, Alberta
Hickmott is just the second member of the Golden Bears’
program to claim the honour, and first since Mike Jickling won in
1998.
A CIS all-rookie team member a year ago, Hickmott led the
nation’s number two offence in goals (15) and points (35)
during a 28 game regular season in which the top-ranked Bears
recorded a 23-4-1 mark. Nationally, he finished inside the top 15
for both points and goals. On top of that, the former Edmonton Oil
King took just two minor penalties all season, and also recorded
the fourth best plus/minus in Canada West at +19, which was also
the highest mark recorded by a forward in the conference.
“Jordan is developing into one of the premiere two-way
players in CIS hockey,” said head coach Ian Herbers.
“He is a highly skilled forward that plays in every
situation. He is an offensive threat at any time, and creates many
of his offensive opportunities with solid, responsible hockey.
Jordan employs his size, skills, hockey sense, along with his
determination, in all facets of the game to excel while staying out
of the penalty box. His style of play, along with his respect for
his teammates, opponents and the game of hockey, itself, definitely
makes Jordan a worthy winner of post-season honours.”
Forwards Chris Culligan of UNB and Steven Reese of Western were
also up for the Pugh Award.
FATHER GEORGE KEHOE MEMORIAL AWARD (coach of the year):
Trevor Stienburg, Saint Mary’s
In his 16th season as Saint Mary’s bench boss, Stienburg,
a four-time AUS coach of the year, is honoured by his CIS peers for
the fourth time in his career. He also merited the Father Kehoe
Award in 1998-99 and 1999-00.
Bob Boucher is the only other Huskies coach to win the Kehoe
Award, in 1972-73 and 1976-77.
Stienburg guided the fourth-ranked Huskies to an 18-7-3 regular
season record this season and a second-place finish in the Atlantic
conference standings with 39 points.
Since taking over the Saint Mary’s University hockey
program in 1997-98, he has led the Huskies to
three AUS crowns
(2001-02, 2008-09 and 2009-10) and the first University Cup title
in program history in 2009-10. In 2007, he was the head coach of
the AUS team that represented Canada and won gold at the Winter
Universiade in Torino, Italy. He was also at the helm of the AUS
squad that claimed silver at the World University Games in Poland
in 2001.
“I feel very fortunate to be re-united with Coach
Stienburg,” said Dr. David Murphy, director of athletics at
Saint Mary’s. “Trevor brings intensity and integrity to
work every day and it shows in the character of his players. He
teaches discipline, respect in athletics and dedication to studies
and academics. It is no wonder the Saint Mary’s hockey team
has had success in both the classroom and on the ice.”
Wilfrid Laurier’s Greg Puhalski and Alberta’s Ian
Herbers were also in the running for coach-of-the-year honours.
DR. RANDY GREGG AWARD (hockey, academics & community
service): Jordan Knox, UPEI
Knox, a fourth-year forward from Skinner’s Pond, P.E.I.,
has been an Academic all-Canadian in each of the four seasons he
has played in the Atlantic conference. Having already graduated
with Bachelors in Business (with a major in accounting), he is
currently working towards his Honors in Business degree.
This season, Knox finished 16th in AUS scoring with nine goals
and 16 assists for 25 points in 28 games. His totals included four
power-play goals, one short-handed marker and a game-winner. In
four seasons with the Panthers, he has collected 33 goals and 67
assists for 100 points in 108 career regular season contests.
In addition to his academic and athletic commitments, Knox
volunteers with many hockey associations, fund raising events and
community awareness activities.
In his second year at UPEI, he contributed significantly to a
fundraising event that amassed close to $7,000 for a member of the
UPEI alumni that had one of his children involved in a life
altering accident. More recently, another member of the UPEI alumni
had tragically passed away and Jordan again played a key role in
organizing an event that contributed close to $5,000 towards
helping the family. Another recent tragedy claimed a young member
of his community (Kameron Cooke, six-years old) who suddenly passed
away. Knox is currently serving on a committee that will have
fundraising activities set up to benefit a Memorial in
Kameron’s name.
Each year, UPEI men’s hockey has a ‘Santa Clause
Run’ that raises money for gifts for those who are less
fortunate in the community. This event was initiated during
Knox’s time at UPEI, and he has played a significant
contributing role. He also participates in the
‘Movember’ fundraising event and this past season
volunteered on a weekly basis at the East Wiltshire Hockey Academy,
a school program designed to introduce kids to the game of
hockey.
“Jordan exemplifies exactly what the spirit of this award
represents,” said UPEI head coach Forbes MacPherson.
“Jordan is the epitome of outstanding AUS achievement in
hockey, academics, and community involvement. Jordan ‘gets
it’ and he is a model student-athlete. He is a leader in our
program, is becoming a young strong leader of our community and is
a tremendous nominee for the Dr. Randy Gregg Award.”
Windsor’s Brett Vandehogen and Alberta’s Greg
Gardner were also nominated for the Dr. Gregg Award.
ALL-CANADIAN
TEAMS
The all-Canadian teams were also announced on Wednesday.
Joining Bloodoff, Lessard and Mucha on the first squad were
Saint Mary’s defenceman Michael D’Orazio and forwards
Félix Petit of UQTR and Blair Macaulay of Manitoba.
Petit finished second in the country in scoring in league play
with 11 goals and 32 assists for 43 points in 28 games; Macaulay,
who was a second-team CIS all-star a year ago, was third in Canada
West scoring (12th in CIS) with a 12-23-35 mark in 28 contests;
D’Orazio was the second-highest scoring rearguard in the
nation behind Lessard with 30 points (3-27-30) in 28 matches.
The second all-Canadian unit is comprised of Wilfrid Laurier
goalie Ryan Daniels, Alberta’s Jesse Craige and
Acadia’s Chris Owens on the blue line, as well as forwards
Justin Larson of Waterloo, Andrew Clark of Acadia and Kyle Bortis
of Saskatchewan.
Teammates Owens and Clark were both first-team all-Canadians
last season, when Clark was named CIS player of the year; Larson
won the CIS scoring crown this year with 45 points (17-28-45) in 28
league games; Bortis finished first in Canada West (8th in CIS)
with 36 points (10-26-36), also in 28 contests.
Joining Porowski on the CIS all-rookie squad were UOIT netminder
Bryce O’Hagan, UBC’s Neil Manning and Toronto’s
Lane Werbowski on defence, as well as Acadia’s Mike Cazzola
and Manitoba’s James Henry on offence.
2012-2013 CIS
MEN'S HOCKEY AWARDS & ALL-CANADIANS
Senator Joseph A. Sullivan Trophy (player of the
year): Lucas Bloodoff, Saint Mary’s
Defenceman of the year: Pierre-Luc Lessard,
UQTR
Goaltender of the year: Kurtis Mucha, Alberta
Clare Drake Award (rookie of the year): Mitch
Porowski, Carleton
R.W. Pugh Award (most sportsmanlike player):
Jordan Hickmott, Alberta
Father George Kehoe Memorial Award (coach of the
year): Trevor Stienburg, Saint Mary’s
Dr. Randy Gregg Award (hockey, academics & community
service): Jordan Knox, UPEI
First
Team
Pos. - Athlete - University - Year - Hometown -
Faculty
G Kurtis Mucha Alberta 3 Sherwood Park, Alta. Science
D Pierre-Luc Lessard UQTR 4 Thetford Mines, Que. Administration
D Michael D’Orazio Saint Mary’s 2 Richmond Hill, Ont.
Commerce
F Lucas Bloodoff Saint Mary’s 3 Castlegar, B.C. Commerce
F Félix Petit UQTR 3 Jonquière, Que.
Administration
F Blair Macaulay Manitoba 4 Winnipeg, Man. Business
Second
Team
G Ryan Daniels Laurier 4 Pickering, Ont. Business
D Jesse Craige Alberta 3 Edmonton, Alta. PE & Recreation
D Christopher Owens Acadia 3 St. John’s, Nfld. Business
Admin.
F Justin Larson Waterloo 2 Buckhorn, Ont. Legal Studies
F Andrew Clark Acadia 4 Brandon, Man. Kinesiology
F Kyle Bortis Saskatchewan 4 Saskatoon, Sask. Agri. &
Bioresources
All-Rookie
Team
G Bryce O’Hagan UOIT 1 Burlington, Ont. Criminology
D Neil Manning UBC 1 Nanaimo, B.C. Commerce
D Lane Werbowski Toronto 1 Winnipeg, Man. Arts and Science
F Mitch Porowski Carleton 1 Ottawa, Ont. Arts
F Mike Cazzola Acadia 1 Guelph, Ont. Kinesiology
F James Henry Manitoba 1 Winnipeg, Man. University 1
-CIS-
