EAGLES RECOGNIZE PLAYERS AND OTHER MEMBERS OF THE ORGANIZATION AT AWARDS DINNER
On Friday, February 18th at the Canmore Recreation Center, the Eagles held their annual award”™s dinner. Due to the Covid pandemic, it was the first time in two years that the Eagles were able to hold their award”™s dinner.
One Eagles player walking away with multiple awards was 19 year-old goalie Andrei Proctor-Ramirez. The Paradise Hill, Saskatchewan native was named the team”™s Rookie of the year and also the Most Valuable Player. In a season which the Eagles have 14 players carrying the rookie designation due to the shortened 2020-21 season, Proctor-Ramirez has been outstanding all season long giving his team a chance to win every night and sporting a record of 16-20-6 in 42 games with a G.A.A. of 3.76 and a Save % of .898 . He was named the game star 14 times and he also received a league nomination for Goaltender of the year.
The other Eagle guarding the net, 18 year-old rookie Matthew Malin was also recognized as he was named the team”™s Academic-Athletic award. Malin who hails from San Francisco, California has handled the challenging transition to Canmore and the self-discipline to online learning. Malin has also been reliable between the pipes with a record of 4-9-3, a G.A.A. of 3.67 and a Save % of .900 .
The Most Improved Player Award went to 20 year-old Defenceman Cale Lyons of Lethbridge, Alberta. Lyons has a positive attitude, is always keen to learn and ask for feedback and was willing to put in time to improve his game. A big contributor to all aspects of the team game, Lyons plays in all situations and is paired up against the other team”™s top line. He also managed to chip offensively with 6 goals and 25 points in 58 games.
Another player who got a lot of recognition is 20 year-old Forward and team Captain Lane Paddison. The Williams Lake, BC native got the Most Dedicated Player award as well as being named as the Player”™s choice by his teammates. Paddison who joined the team in the spring of 2019 had to battle through many obstacles in his three years with the Eagles. He had a broken foot in his rookie season, had a bout with the Original Corona Virus and most recently, a broken hand. Despite all this, he has maintained a positive attitude and worked tirelessly to make himself and those around him better. Paddison is very well liked by his teammates on and off the ice.
20 year-old forward Mitchell Watson was named the Most Sportsmanlike Player. Mitchell is the Eagles player with the most games played at the Junior level with 159. He entered the league in the 2018-19 season with the Calgary Mustangs and the Eagles acquired him from the Okotoks Oilers in December 2019. He consistently carries himself with respect for opponents, referees and teammates. In his Junior career, he only has 96 penalty minutes.
The Defenceman Of The Year Award went to another 20 year-old with lots of experience. Calgary, AB native Drae Gardiner was the recipient. Drae joined the Eagles in November 2019 after starting his Junior career with the Moose Jaw Warriors of the WHL. This season, he leads all Defencemen on the team with 35 points, which places him third in that category on the roster. He plays in all key situations offensively and defensively and can effectively shut down the oppositions top units every night.
The leader scorer award goes to 20 year-old Forward Ethan Schaeffer from Lake Country, BC. This season, Ethan has been a huge part of the Eagles offence and he currently leads the team in goals with 24, while being tied in points with linemate Isaac Suppin with 38. His season totals also include 7 PP goals, two short handed goals and three game winning goals heading into the team”™s final two games of the regular season.
The Canmore Minor Hockey Award went to 17 year-old rookie Defenceman from Lethbridge, AB Emmanuel Hudson. That Award recognizes the team”™s community involvement working with the players and coaches of the Canmore Minor Hockey Association. The past couple of years unfortunately created some challenges for the Eagles players to help out with Canmore Minor Hockey. This year”™s winner Emmanuel Hudson spent as much time as possible out on the ice with the kids passing on his wisdom, teaching skills and inspiring a love of the game to the future Eagles. He has been a brother in the dressing room and a big brother at home. In the eyes of many local Minor Hockey Players, he is a coach, a role model and their hero.
Two awards were also awarded to people who don”™t play for the Eagles, but are a very important part of the organization.
The Volunteer Of The Year award went to Shelley Gregorash. And the Ken Pauls Sr Award went to longtime Eagles PA announcer and 106.5 Mountain FM morning host Rob Murray.
