Over 200 people gathered at Dwight Hall on Saturday, April 9, to celebrate another incredible year for Powell River Kings.
Following dinner, board member Doug McCormick, winner of this year’s True Beauty award which is given to the volunteer who goes beyond the call of duty, relayed a message from President Rob Villani who was unable to attend.
Villani congratulated the Kings on their third consecutive conference championship, thanked his board, sponsors, King’s staff and also praised the many volunteers who supported the Kings.
Coach and General Manager Kent Lewis followed McCormick with an anecdote to illustrate his decision to coach and live in his hometown.
“A group of Nanaimo owners had a sit-down with me,” he recalled. “They said, ‘Kent, come back to Nanaimo, you played here and you can’t win there. It’s too small, you don’t have the resources, you don’t have the money. Come to Nanaimo and coach.’ I just said ‘No, we can win here. Thanks for your offer.’” Then he said, proudly, “We have won.”
After the cheers and applause died down Lewis thanked his assistants Chad van Diemen and Geoff Grimwood, trainers Brendon Kerr and Pat Hurren, broadcaster Fraser Rogers and Marketing Manager Elise Statham.
Lewis handed out 18 awards during the course of the evening but perhaps the most meaningful went, not to a player but, to a volunteer.
John Harris’s face should be familiar to everyone who goes to the game as the former Junior B Paper King who has given his time for 15 years to work security and staff the entrance to the arena.
“The main reason I do it is I’d hate to see the team leave Powell River,” he said. “From day one I’ve been a member of the society,” the soon-to-be 65-year-old said proudly, “and as long as my health holds I will probably still be on the door.”
Harris was kept very busy this year but there’s no question, the Kings wanted to use his services a little longer.
“There is a lot to be proud of and look back on,” said van Diemen. “We had high expectations coming in and the guys met those expectations and even exceeded them in a lot of ways. That being said, it was a tough way to end but we’re very excited with a good core coming back next year and we have some good leaders in that group. We expect to be there again,” he stated.
One of those leaders he spoke of is Chris Williams and he is already excited. “I think we’ll be strong on the back end again and I think what people will see is a more balanced team next year,” said Williams. “I wasn’t concerned but I was curious to hear about the commitment to the team next year. The commitment is there again. The franchise is committed to winning which is great and we intend to put a good team on the ice, maybe better than this year’s.”
Six 20-year-olds, including Matt Garbowsky, Chad Niddery, Justin DaSilva, Andrew Pettitt, Justin Bardarson, Jason Yee and 19-year-old goaltender Michael Garteig are leaving the team this year with commitments to various colleges.
Coach’s Choice award winner, Jason Yee is still weighing his options and said, “Unless something really stellar comes up in the states for division one, I’ll be playing at UBC next year.” He wants to study human kinetics and later continue to play hockey until he’s not having fun at it anymore. “Right now,” he said, “I’m having lots of fun.”
Everyone enjoyed the evening which ended with photos, hugs, a few tears and promises for another great year next year.
- Most Valuable Player: Matt Garbowsky and Michael Garteig
- Coach’s Award: Jason Yee
- Inspiration Award: Chris Williams
- Armitage Mens Player of the Year: Chad Niddery
- Top Scorer: Matt Garbowsky
- Scholastic Award: Cohen Adair
- Plus/Minus Award: Chad Niddery and Matt Garbowsky
- Community Involvement: Bond and Brendan Hawryluk
- Most Popular Player: Chad Niddery
- Unsung Hero: Brenden Forbes
- Sportsmanlike: Daniel Schuler
- Top Defencemen: Jason Yee and Justin DaSilva
- Most Improved: Steven Schmidt
- Rookie of the Year: Craig Dalrymple
- True Grit Award: Andrew Pettitt
- Play-off Performer: Jon Jutzi
- True Beauty Award: Doug McCormick
- BCHL Volunteer of the Year: John Harris
