The Williams Lake Mustangs celebrated the end of the regular season with a banquet Tuesday, Feb. 25.
They gathered at the Fox's Den Restaurant where some of the players received awards.
Top Defenceman: Declan Pocock
Rookie of the Year: Asher Lucas
Fan Favourite, Top Scorer, MVP: JP Desabrais
Sportsmanship: Rory Mumford
Most Improved: Aden Miller
Pocock, Jacob Shtaif, Matthew Keylor and Desabrais gave a leadership speech and Shtaif, Keylor and Brendan Calahasen were acknowledged as they are all 20-years-old and moving on from the league.
The Mustangs will now begin playing in their first round of the playoffs against the 100 Mile House Wranglers.
Games are scheduled for Friday, Feb. 28 and Saturday, March 1 in 100 Mile, Monday, March 3, and Tuesday, March 4, in Williams Lake, Friday, March 7, in 100 Mile House, Saturday, March 8 in Williams Lake and Monday, March 10 in 100 Mile House.
In addition to the team awards, two Mustangs have garnered division awards.
Each year, the Kootenay International Junior Hockey League presents awards for on-ice excellence: Most Valuable Player, Top Scorer, Top Defenceman, Top Goaltender, Rookie of the Year, Most Sportsmanlike Player, Coach of the Year and the newly added General Manager of the Year. Winners are named from the four divisions prior to the start of KIJHL Playoffs, with overall league award winners to be announced at a later date.
Top Defenceman - Declan Pocock
The Williams Lake native was excellent for his hometown Mustangs leading all rookie blueliners with 19 goals and 25 assists for 44 points in 42 games, while playing an average of 23:45 a night. He was a key figure on their power-play collecting 29 points (seven goals, 22 assists). He led all KIJHL defencemen in goals, as did his power-play goals, while his power-play assists were second. His three game-winners ranked third.
Rookie of the Year - Asher Lucas
The Williams Lake native shined for his hometown team. Lucas, who played for Team KIJHL in the BCHC Prospects Game, led all rookies with a 1.39 points per game average (33 GP, 18 G, 28 A, 46 PTS). One of the best players for the Mustangs, he played an average of 21 minutes a night and had a minus eight rating. Half of his points were collected on the power-play (seven goals, 16 assists). Both totals were first for all rookies and his assists were second in the league. Of his 28 assists, 16 were primary. Lucas was also very good in the faceoff circle, winning 54.2 per cent of his draws.
With files from Emanuel Sequeira and Leslie Rowse
