BY JOHN DECOSTE
Kings County Advertiser/Register
Jordan Matheson of the Horton Griffins was named the 2009-2010 Player of the Year when the Valley High School Hockey League boys’ division handed out its year-end awards April 8 in Auburn.
Matheson, with 14 goals and 11 assists in 19 league games, was recognized for his on-ice performance in combination with academics, leadership and community involvement.
Joe Hines of Avon View, with a 3.23 goals against average while handling the bulk of the goaltending duties for the Avalanche, won the John Prall trophy for the league’s top goaltender.
Chris Alguire of Central Kings earned the new-this-year Kentville Mazda Trophy for the leading scorer in the VHSHL. Alguire had 21 goals and 24 assists for 45 points in 19 games while also serving as team captain of the league champion (and D-2 boys’ provincial runner-up) Gators.
Ben Churchill of Middleton and Brandon Parker of Avon View shared the Corey Chapman Memorial Trophy for the league’s top defenseman, another new trophy this year. The trophy was donated by NKEC in memory of Chapman, a key member of the 2005 provincial champion Titans who passed away May 18, 2007 after a tragic automobile collision.
NKEC head coach Adam Legge and assistant Colin Duncan were co-winners as Coach of the Year. Both the Player of the Year and Coach of the Year trophies bear the name of the late John MacAskill, a long-time Kings county educator and supporter of high school hockey.
Central Kings won the league championship trophy and the D-2 winner’s trophy. Horton was the D-1 winner, and NKEC took the award for the league’s least-penalized team.
The Art Lightfoot Memorial Trophy for perseverance, dedication and love of the game was presented to Brett Hatfield from West Kings. Hatfield came forward three years ago to volunteer his time and energy to helping out West Kings hockey. Through three different head coaches, he has served as a valuable coaches’ assistant, handling a variety of roles with dedication and enthusiasm, from keeping game stats and charts to providing post-game feedback. Though unable to play hockey himself, Hatfield’s love of and dedication to the game is evident to anyone who knows him. Never one to complain or act negatively, he has been a positive influence on the coaching staff and players alike. Hatfield comes by his volunteer spirit naturally – his parents, Ernie and Marilyn, are strong supporters of the team and the school.
Each of the six VHSHL teams also gave out team MVP and Coach’s Awards:
Avon View – MVP: Joe Hines; Coach’s Award: Ashton Verge.
Horton – MVP: Jordan Matheson; Coach’s Award: Nick Bawn
NKEC – MVP: Vince Cashen; Coach’s Award: James Floyd.
Central Kings – MVP: Boo DiGioacchino; Coach’s Award: Jacob Petrie
West Kings – MVP: Colton Parsons; Coach’s Award: Jacob Robar
Middleton – MVP: John Connell; Coach’s Award: Mitchell King
BY JOHN DECOSTE
Kings County Advertiser/Register
Jordan Matheson of the Horton Griffins was named the 2009-2010 Player of the Year when the Valley High School Hockey League boys’ division handed out its year-end awards April 8 in Auburn.
Matheson, with 14 goals and 11 assists in 19 league games, was recognized for his on-ice performance in combination with academics, leadership and community involvement.
Joe Hines of Avon View, with a 3.23 goals against average while handling the bulk of the goaltending duties for the Avalanche, won the John Prall trophy for the league’s top goaltender.
Chris Alguire of Central Kings earned the new-this-year Kentville Mazda Trophy for the leading scorer in the VHSHL. Alguire had 21 goals and 24 assists for 45 points in 19 games while also serving as team captain of the league champion (and D-2 boys’ provincial runner-up) Gators.
Ben Churchill of Middleton and Brandon Parker of Avon View shared the Corey Chapman Memorial Trophy for the league’s top defenseman, another new trophy this year. The trophy was donated by NKEC in memory of Chapman, a key member of the 2005 provincial champion Titans who passed away May 18, 2007 after a tragic automobile collision.
NKEC head coach Adam Legge and assistant Colin Duncan were co-winners as Coach of the Year. Both the Player of the Year and Coach of the Year trophies bear the name of the late John MacAskill, a long-time Kings county educator and supporter of high school hockey.
Central Kings won the league championship trophy and the D-2 winner’s trophy. Horton was the D-1 winner, and NKEC took the award for the league’s least-penalized team.
The Art Lightfoot Memorial Trophy for perseverance, dedication and love of the game was presented to Brett Hatfield from West Kings. Hatfield came forward three years ago to volunteer his time and energy to helping out West Kings hockey. Through three different head coaches, he has served as a valuable coaches’ assistant, handling a variety of roles with dedication and enthusiasm, from keeping game stats and charts to providing post-game feedback. Though unable to play hockey himself, Hatfield’s love of and dedication to the game is evident to anyone who knows him. Never one to complain or act negatively, he has been a positive influence on the coaching staff and players alike. Hatfield comes by his volunteer spirit naturally – his parents, Ernie and Marilyn, are strong supporters of the team and the school.
Each of the six VHSHL teams also gave out team MVP and Coach’s Awards:
Avon View – MVP: Joe Hines; Coach’s Award: Ashton Verge.
Horton – MVP: Jordan Matheson; Coach’s Award: Nick Bawn
NKEC – MVP: Vince Cashen; Coach’s Award: James Floyd.
Central Kings – MVP: Boo DiGioacchino; Coach’s Award: Jacob Petrie
West Kings – MVP: Colton Parsons; Coach’s Award: Jacob Robar
Middleton – MVP: John Connell; Coach’s Award: Mitchell King
