Prior to puck drop Friday, the Kootenay Ice presented team awards for the 2014-15 season.
Forward Luke Philp hauled in the most hardware, being recognized for four separate awards, including team MVP and Fan Club Player of the Year.
“He’s easily one of the hardest-working guys in this league,” said Ice goaltender Wyatt Hoflin. “No matter how his games going -- sometimes pucks aren’t bouncing the way he wants them to -- but he still battles. His work ethic is something that every player should strive to have. It’s something you can look up to.”
Philp has had a banner season as he led the Kootenay Ice in scoring with 82 points (30G, 52A).
His assists total is a new career high as is his point total, having surpassed his marks from the 2013-14 campaign (46A, 77pts).
“I’m extremely honoured about that,” Philp said of his awards recognition. “To get the Players Award, that’s awesome -- it’s probably the best feeling you can have, knowing your teammates think about you like that. To get the fan award, too, that’s pretty cool. But I couldn’t have done it without my teammates. There’s a lot of guys that could have also had those awards.”
Hoflin was also recognized for his record-setting performance between the pipes this season, earning the Most Underrated Player award.
“It means a lot for me personally, coming from where I started to where I am now,” Hoflin said. “It’s nice to be recognized by the organization, the fans, everyone that recognized me for the awards I got today.
“Early on, technically, I was improved from last season. That confidence grew as the season went and it allowed me to get even better at those little things I had been working on since I got here.”
Hoflin’s list of accomplishments through the 2014-15 season truly requires a story all its own.
The native of Spruce Grove, Alta., has set new Kootenay Ice franchise records for games played (67), minutes played (3,848), saves made (1,837), wins (36) and consecutive games played (29) in a season.
Kootenay Ice Awards:
Rod Hunter Ltd. Players Award - Luke Philp; Apollo Ristorante Most Valuable Player - Luke Philp; Ron’s Collision/Dixon’s Service Centre Top Defenceman - Rinat Valiev; Alpine Toyota Rookie of the Year - Cale Fleury; Skyway Distributors Most Improved Player - Matt Alfaro; BDO Canada LLP Most Underrated Player - Wyatt Hoflin; EKC Community Relations Award - Zak Zborosky; Rocky Mountain Diesel Scholastic Player of the Year - Cale Fleury; Fan Club Player of the Year - Luke Philp; Haddad Financial Services Three Stars: 1) Wyatt Hoflin; 2) Tim Bozon; 3) Luke Philp