Matthys, Hykawy, Buys highlight 2014/15 BCIHL Award Winners & All-Stars

The British Columbia Intercollegiate Hockey League has announced its league award winners and all-stars for the 2014/15 season. Winners were selected in a vote conducted by BCIHL coaches.

MOST VALUABLE PLAYER - Silas Matthys, Trinity Western University

Matthys was the standout player for the league's best regular season team in 2014/15. The second-year netminder led Trinity Western to a school-best record of 17-5-0-2 and helped the Spartans clinch their first BCIHL regular season title with three full weeks remaining in the regular season. He never allowed more than four goals in any game and earned his success by stopping a high volume of shots -- 30+ in 16 of his 20 appearances and 40+ on six occasions.

TOP DEFENCEMAN - Dylan Hykawy, University of Victoria

Hykawy made a smooth transition to university hockey from Junior A in Manitoba, leading all BCIHL blueliners in goals (10) while finishing third in points (20). The 21-year old logged big minutes on a UVic blueline that played an impact role in leading the Vikes from fifth in the league standings last season to third this year. He was also the only BCIHL defeceman to record a hat trick this season, putting three past SFU in a 6-4 Vikes win on November 22nd.

TOP GOALTENDER - Silas Matthys, Trinity Western University

Matthys thrived under a heavy workload for the first-place Spartans, starting 18 of his team's 24 games while coming off the bench in relief in two others. He led all BCIHL netminders in a wide range of statistical categories, including wins (14), minutes played (1151), shots faced (685), saves (637) and save-percentage (.930), and finished second in goals-against average (2.50). He was named the league's Goaltender of the Month in November and January, making him the only repeat recipient of the award.

ROOKIE OF THE YEAR - PJ Buys, Trinity Western University

Buys just kept getting better in his first season of university hockey, ultimately finishing third amongst all BCIHL scorers. He began his season with points in six consecutive games, but his best success came after he was partnered with linemates Cody Fidgett and Mattias Schmitt. A 10-game point streak from November 22nd to February 6th saw him score nine goals and total 25 points while the Spartans went 9-0-0-1 and solidified first place.

MOST SPORTSMANLIKE PLAYER - Luciano Somerville, University of Victoria

The third-year forward took just three minor penalties in 22 games while giving the Vikes a big, mobile centre who could fit in and contribute on any line. Often a shut-down presence, the 21-year old also chipped in with five goals and 13 points to match a career high in points. His work in all three zones was key to the Vikes' improvement to a strong third place finish this season.

COACH OF THE YEAR - Barret Kropf, Trinity Western University

After sharing this award in his first season at Trinity Western, Kropf shed any competition for top spot by leading the Spartans to their best BCIHL regular season performance in school history. Under Kropf's direction, TWU improved by their record by seven wins and 15 points to capture their first regular season league title. The Spartans' success came at both ends of the rink, as they led all teams in goals scored (106) as well as goals against (69).
 

BCIHL FIRST ALL-STAR TEAM

Forward: Cody Fidgett, Trinity Western University
Forward: Beau Walker, Eastern Washington University
Forward: Shawn Mueller, University of Victoria
Defence: Dylan Hykawy, University of Victoria
Defence: Stefan Gonzales, Selkirk College
Goaltender: Silas Matthys, Trinity Western University

BCIHL SECOND ALL-STAR TEAM

Forward: PJ Buys, Trinity Western University
Forward: Ryan Edwards, Selkirk College
Forward: Jono Ceci, Simon Fraser University
Defence: Mathew Berry-Lamontagna, Simon Fraser University
Defence: Jake Harcoff, Trinity Western University
Goaltender: James Prigione, Selkirk College