Corey O’Brien of West Kings and Hillary Dort of Central Kings were the big winners when the Valley High School Hockey League’s girls’ division handed out its year-end awards April 7 in Port Williams.
O’Brien was chosen from among three nominees as the VHSHL girls’ division player of the year for 2013-2014.
In 12 league games this season, O’Brien - who also plays for the Valley Wild midget AA team - had 32 goals, tops in the league, and was second to Middleton’s Rachael Banks with 40 points.
Banks (27-14-41 in 13 games) and Mariah Carey of Horton (14-11-25 in 14 games) were the other nominees.
Dort, meanwhile, received the Becky Cleveland Award, presented to the student-athlete who best combines community involvement, athletic ability, sportsmanship and high academic achievement.
Dort has played three years for the Gators and has been a great leader on and off the ice throughout her career. She also played for the Valley Wild midget AA team and also played senior girls’ soccer at CK. She maintains a 90+ academic average and has received numerous scholastic awards. In her spare time, she is involved in student government and volunteers at a local seniors’ residence.
Other nominees for the Cleveland award included Olivia Corkum from Park View, Olivia Lynch from Avon View, Kathleen Newcombe from Horton, Natasha Wotton from Middleton and Jillian Lamb and Shay Lyn Mahar from Central Kings.
VHSHL girls’ division vice-president Geneve Newcombe said she “had the privilege of reading the nominations. I can tell you, we have some young ladies who are great student-athletes and ambassadors.”
Other major awards went to Horton’s Morgan Benjamin as top goalie; Natasha Wotton of Middleton as top defence; Natalie Rippey of Avon View as top rookie; and Jeff Burgess of Avon View as coach of the year.
Rachael Banks received the award as top scorer. Avon View took the award for the least penalized team, and Horton, with a regular season record of 12 wins and two ties, received the Peter Connell Memorial award as the league winner.
Newcombe said the VHSHL girls’ division had “a very successful year” in 2013-2014, with eight teams participating.
The playoffs had both a D-1 and a D-2 format. In the D-1 regional final, Horton lost 1-0 to King’s-Edgehill (not in the VHSHL). King’s-Edgehill went on to win provincials.
Middleton and West Kings both qualified for the D-2 provincials hosted by Middleton, which ended up with the silver medal.
Team awards included:
Central Kings – MVP: Hillary Dort; coach’s award: Jillian Lamb.
Park View – MVP: Jerilyn Nowe; coach’s award: Sarah Taylor.
West Kings – MVP: Corey O’Brien; coach’s award: Courtney Bell.
Avon View – MVP: Sam Lake; coach’s award: Zoe Miller.
Barrington – MVP: Kenzie Nickerson; coach’s award: Taylor Smith.
NKEC – MVP: Sarah Borden; coach’s award: Meaghan Vaughan.
Horton – MVP: Gisele Rudderham; coach’s award: Kathleen Newcombe.
Middleton – MVP: Maddie Reeves; coach’s award: Samara Bagnell.
Corey O’Brien of West Kings and Hillary Dort of Central Kings were the big winners when the Valley High School Hockey League’s girls’ division handed out its year-end awards April 7 in Port Williams.
O’Brien was chosen from among three nominees as the VHSHL girls’ division player of the year for 2013-2014.
In 12 league games this season, O’Brien - who also plays for the Valley Wild midget AA team - had 32 goals, tops in the league, and was second to Middleton’s Rachael Banks with 40 points.
Banks (27-14-41 in 13 games) and Mariah Carey of Horton (14-11-25 in 14 games) were the other nominees.
Dort, meanwhile, received the Becky Cleveland Award, presented to the student-athlete who best combines community involvement, athletic ability, sportsmanship and high academic achievement.
Dort has played three years for the Gators and has been a great leader on and off the ice throughout her career. She also played for the Valley Wild midget AA team and also played senior girls’ soccer at CK. She maintains a 90+ academic average and has received numerous scholastic awards. In her spare time, she is involved in student government and volunteers at a local seniors’ residence.
Other nominees for the Cleveland award included Olivia Corkum from Park View, Olivia Lynch from Avon View, Kathleen Newcombe from Horton, Natasha Wotton from Middleton and Jillian Lamb and Shay Lyn Mahar from Central Kings.
VHSHL girls’ division vice-president Geneve Newcombe said she “had the privilege of reading the nominations. I can tell you, we have some young ladies who are great student-athletes and ambassadors.”
Other major awards went to Horton’s Morgan Benjamin as top goalie; Natasha Wotton of Middleton as top defence; Natalie Rippey of Avon View as top rookie; and Jeff Burgess of Avon View as coach of the year.
Rachael Banks received the award as top scorer. Avon View took the award for the least penalized team, and Horton, with a regular season record of 12 wins and two ties, received the Peter Connell Memorial award as the league winner.
Newcombe said the VHSHL girls’ division had “a very successful year” in 2013-2014, with eight teams participating.
The playoffs had both a D-1 and a D-2 format. In the D-1 regional final, Horton lost 1-0 to King’s-Edgehill (not in the VHSHL). King’s-Edgehill went on to win provincials.
Middleton and West Kings both qualified for the D-2 provincials hosted by Middleton, which ended up with the silver medal.
Team awards included:
Central Kings – MVP: Hillary Dort; coach’s award: Jillian Lamb.
Park View – MVP: Jerilyn Nowe; coach’s award: Sarah Taylor.
West Kings – MVP: Corey O’Brien; coach’s award: Courtney Bell.
Avon View – MVP: Sam Lake; coach’s award: Zoe Miller.
Barrington – MVP: Kenzie Nickerson; coach’s award: Taylor Smith.
NKEC – MVP: Sarah Borden; coach’s award: Meaghan Vaughan.
Horton – MVP: Gisele Rudderham; coach’s award: Kathleen Newcombe.
Middleton – MVP: Maddie Reeves; coach’s award: Samara Bagnell.
