BCIHL announces League Award Winners and All-Star Team selections for 2012

The British Columbia Intercollegiate Hockey League has announced its league award winners and all-stars for the 2011/12 season. Winners were selected in a vote conducted by BCIHL coaches. A presentation will be held during the BCIHL Championship banquet on Friday, March 16th to recognize the winners.

MOST VALUABLE PLAYER - Ben Van Lare, Simon Fraser University

Van Lare re-wrote the BCIHL record books this season, establishing new league marks for goals and points in a season with 28 and 57 respectively in 24 games played. The former WHL and CIS forward was a model of consistency, picking up points in 23 of SFU's 24 games -- including 16 multi-point nights.

TOP DEFENCEMAN - Dave Mann, Okanagan College

Mann becomes the first back-to-back winner of the league's Top Defenceman award following a season where he captained the Coyotes to a school-best record of 16-4-4. The 25-year old led all BCIHL blueliners with 29 points whil eproviding a key shut-down presence defensively.

TOP GOALTENDER - Tim Zwiers, Trinity Western University

It's a credit to Zwiers' strong play that he was chosen the league's top goaltender despite a 2-10-3 record with the Spartans. The William Lake, B.C. product was often spectacular despite falling short of a W, having allowed three goals or fewer in seven games that finished as losses or ties.

MOST SPORTSMANLIKE PLAYER - Christopher Hoe, Simon Fraser University

Hoe captained the Clan to a league-best record of 17-2-5 while collecting just 10 minutes in penalties in his first full BCIHL season. The 22-year old often flew under the radar offensively due to big years from linemates Ben Van Lare and Jono Ceci, but he finished second in the BCIHL with 28 assists.

COACH OF THE YEAR - Kim Barnstable, Okanagan College

Barnstable oversaw a Coyotes squad that took a big step forward in its third BCIHL season, guiding the team to a 16-4-4 record despite a 2-2-2 start. Okanagan was the league's top team down the stretch with a 7-1-2 record in their last 10 games and picked up seven of 10 points in games against SFU and TRU in 2012.

BCIHL FIRST ALL-STAR TEAM

Forward: Ben Van Lare, Simon Fraser University
Forward: Jordan Wood, Selkirk College
Forward: Aaron Buat, Okanagan College
Defence: Dave Mann, Okanagan College
Defence: Shane Oatway, Thompson Rivers University
Goaltender: Tim Zwiers, Trinity Western University

BCIHL SECOND ALL-STAR TEAM

Forward: Matthew Bell, University of Victoria
Forward: Andrew Fisher, Thompson Rivers University
Forward: Jono Ceci, Simon Fraser University
Defence: Justin Crosby, Eastern Washington University
Defence: Taylor Swaffield, Simon Fraser University
Goaltender: Sunny Gill, Okanagan College