Stanwood, Bird and Last highlight 2017 Award Winners & All-Stars

The British Columbia Intercollegiate Hockey League has announced its league award winners and all-stars for the 2016/17 season. Winners were selected in a vote conducted by BCIHL coaches.

MOST VALUABLE PLAYER - Lyndon Stanwood, Simon Fraser University

Stanwood became a dominant force for SFU in his second full BCIHL season. After missing most of October due to injury, the 23-year old won 10 consecutive starts and never allowed more than three goals in any regular season appearance. He also out-dueled TWU counterpart Silas Matthys in back-to-back games (Jan. 21/Feb. 2) to earn crucial points in the race for the regular season title. He was honoured as the league's Goaltender of the Month twice, in November and February.

TOP DEFENCEMAN - Kyle Bird, University of Victoria

The rookie blueliner out of the Manitoba Junior Hockey League quickly adjusted to the post-secondary game, putting up three points in his first-ever BCIHL contest and totaling 12 points in his first month with the Vikes. Bird's 19 assists were tops amongst defencemen and third by all BCIHL skaters. He finished tied for sixth in BCIHL scoring and hit a milestone on October 15th when he recorded five points in a win over EWU. He was named the BCIHL Defenceman of the Month in October.

TOP GOALTENDER - Lyndon Stanwood, Simon Fraser University

It was a record-setting year between the pipes for the former BCHL and NCAA netminder. Not only did he lead all BCIHL neminders with 10 or more appearances in goals-against average (GAA) at 1.74 and save-percentage (SV%) at .934, he set new league records in both categories. Stanwood was a game star in six of his 11 starts and posted a pair of shutouts in February as the Clan battled to clinch top spot in the regular season standings.

ROOKIE OF THE YEAR - Evan Last, Trinity Western University

Last burst onto the collegiate scene after a successful Junior A career in Manitoba and announced his presence by picking up 10 points in his first five regular season games. The scoring continued, as he teamed up with Jarrett Fontaine and Jamey Kreller to form one of the league's most dangerous lines. The 22-year old led all BCIHL skaters with 24 assists and 31 points, and put up three or more points five times for a Spartans team that narrowly missed out on a first place finish.

MOST SPORTSMANLIKE PLAYER - Luciano Somerville, University of Victoria

The Vikes have been able to count on Somerville's consistent hard work, competitiveness and production over a five-year BCIHL career that saw him miss a total of just six regular season games. His 10 penalty minutes during the 2016/17 campaign brought his career total to 34 in 114 contests, making him one of the least penalized players in league history. He also thrived in a two-way role and as a model of consistency for UVic, picking up eight goals and five assists to total 13 points, the exact same number as in two of his four other seasons.

COACH OF THE YEAR - Mark Coletta, Simon Fraser University

Coletta recently finished his ninth season behind the Clan bench and led the team to their fourth regular season first place finish during his tenure. This season's SFU squad finished with an 18-4-0-2 record, their best since 2013/14, and led the BCIHL in goals scored with 104 while allowing 50, good for second best. The Clan thrived down the stretch as they battled for top spot with Trinity Western, winning seven of their last eight games to hold off their Lower Mainland rivals.

BCIHL FIRST ALL-STAR TEAM

Forward: Ryan Edwards, Selkirk College
Forward: Evan Last, Trinity Western University
Forward: Shawn Mueller, University of Victoria
Defence: Mathew Berry-Lamontagna, Simon Fraser University
Defence: Kyle Bird, University of Victoria
Goaltender: Lyndon Stanwood, Simon Fraser University

BCIHL SECOND ALL-STAR TEAM

Forward: Dallas Calvin, Selkirk College
Forward: Patrick Holland, University of Victoria
Forward: Brendan Lamont, Simon Fraser University
Defence: Stefan Gonzales, Trinity Western University
Defence: Tanner Hawes, Eastern Washington University
Goaltender: Silas Matthys, Trinity Western University