#1. Most Improved Player - Aiden Sillato                                                                              

Criteria:

This award is designated for the player who makes the greatest strides in his own skills development, combined with learning and applying team systems.                                              

Coach Petrie’s comments:

“Sillato came into the team off the back of a stellar performance on the National Junior Team where he was voted Australia’s MVP.  He settled into the Ice Dogs locker room and has developed into solid contributor on the ice in no time.  He played 19 games and had a goal and an assist. Even playing a grinding, high energy style of play he took only one minor penalty on the year.”

Aiden is currently in Sweden playing Junior Hockey in Tranas.  As at today, he sits 3^rd in team scoring with 4 points in 4 games.

(Aidan Sillato scores his first AIHL goal in 2018)

#2 The Blagg Family award for Sportsmanship - Jonatan Ruth.

Criteria:

This award is presented to the player who best combines all of the important aspects of the game; offensive play, defensive play, physicality and adherence to systems; and who does so without attracting too much attention from the referees:

Coach Petrie’s comments:

“Ruth was a key Penalty Killer for us all year, he brought energy and effort to every shift and he sacrificed his body all year; earning the respect of the coaching staff and his teammates. If the AIHL kept statistics for blocked shots, he would have led the league. He used his body all over the ice and was a relentless forechecker - And he managed to do all of this while taking only 7 minor penalties on the year.”

Ruth played in 24 games and had 5 goals and 3 assists for 8 points.

(Coach Petrie, Jonatan Ruth and Club President Chirs Blagg)

(Jonatan Ruth against the Melborne Ice)

#3. The Wilson Family Trophy for Best Defenseman: Shannon MacGregor

This trophy is sponsored by John & Carol Wilson who have been great supporters and sponsors of this club in each of its iterations for over 30 years. The Wilsons are incredible people who exemplify that, with their selfless contributions of time, effort and financial support to this club over such a period of time.

Criteria:

This award is given to the player deemed to be the team’s leading defensive player. Someone who consistently wins battles, and who is hard for opposition players to beat one-on-one. A player who makes life tough on opposition forwards, and usually a guy with a big physical game who can make big hits in key situations.

Coach Petrie’s comments:

“MacGregor fits all of the above criteria to a “T” and was able to play the bulk of his minutes against opposition import lines, which makes his performance stand out even more. He always comes ready to play and he’s a physical presence without taking too many penalties, and always ready to back-up his team mates”

MacGregor played in 23 games this year and set personal bests for points per game, scoring two goals and adding four assists.

(Coach Andrew Petrie, Shannon MacGregor and John Wilson)

(Ice Dogs defenceman Shannon MacGregor)

#4. Highest point scorer - Geordie Wudrick
Criteria:

Awarded to the player who amasses the highest number of total points for the team.

Coach Petrie’s comments:

“Wudrick played hisfourth season in Australia and found himself in that top group of elite scorers yet-again. He is one of only three players in AIHL history to record 4 consecutive 50-point seasons”

Wudrick was one of only 3 Ice Dogs players to play in all 28 games, scoring 22 goals and adding 34 assists, for 56 points at a clip of 2 Points per game, currently signed with Harzer Flaken in the German Oberliga,

(Geordie Wudrick in the Matt Clark Shield)

#5. The Nathan Walker Award for Best Local Player - Todd Stephenson

Criteria:

To be eligible to win this award, players must be eligible to be selected to play for Australia. This award is an MVP award, presented to the player who brings the most top the table, over the most games, and who contributes the most to the team’s success.

Coach Petrie’s comments:

“Todd brings a level of maturity and quiet leadership to the group that wasn’t immediately obvious to me. His passion for the game and fierce loyalty to his team-mates is a credit to him. He was a valuable asset to me as a new Coach at the club because he was always completely honest with me. He played up and down the line-up and contributed offensively and defensively. He was money on the powerplay and he always had a positive attitude and gave everything he had.”

Stephenson Scored 8 goals and added 5 assists for 13 points in 23 games.

(Coach Andrew Petrie, Todd Stephenson and Club President Chirs Blagg)

(Washington Capitals Forward Nathan Walker and Bruiser)

#6. The Coach’s Award - Tomas Manco

Criteria

Depth of Commitment to the team

Having a true “team-first” attitude

Displaying a Passion for the jersey

Acting in a way that shows a desire for success

Representing the club in a positive light and giving back to the gameHigh-level of Individual performance and contributing to on-ice success

Coach Petrie’s comments:

“Now there are a few guys who come to mind for this award and in truth, it could go to two or three guys, but when thinking about it, it always comes back Tomas Manco.

Manco can be the glue that holds the guys together, he is making it fun and light when that’s what’s needed but also being able to get down and be serious, holding himself and teammates accountable to each other.”

(Coach Andrew Petrie, Tomas Manco and Club President Chirs Blagg)

#7. The JUBA STEIN for Player’s Player - Curtis Skip.

Criteria

All Ice Dogs players are asked to submit a secret ballot voting for their “Player’s Player.” No-one is asked to explain what criteria they apply to their selection, it can be for any reason they want.

Coach Petrie’s comments:

“This year’s winner is an absolute beauty of a guy. He was late on the scene, due to a number of factors and he was a complete pleasure to have in the organisation. Almost immediately popular in the locker-room and totally committed to the team and to team goals all year. He worked his ass off in every practice and was always at least ‘awesome” when he played and was occasionally ‘unbelievable’ in games.

The boys always felt we were a chance, even when we were behind late in games because this guy absolutely refused to quit. We won more than a few games as a result of his tenacity.”

Curtis played in 22 games in 2018, posting a 2.74 Goals Against average and .916 Save % - both were good for third in the league. The two goalies above him played against each other in the Grand Final.

(Sydney Ice Dogs goalie Curtis Skip)

#8. MVP - Grant Toulmin

Criteria

This award goes to the player who best combines the criteria from two previous awards;

1.       The Local MVP handed out earlier to the player who leaves the biggest hole by his absence, and;

2.       Many of the aspects of the Coach’s Award including commitment to the Club on and off the ice, player leadership, and passion for the jersey;

3.       Outright performance and contribution to team success.

Coach Petrie’s comments:

“Toulmin is a definite leader in the locker-room, combing offensive output with all-out effort for every shift. He pushed through serious injury and kept showing-up when he would have been better-off resting. He’s a voice of reason in the locker-room and has the respect of the entire playing group, as well as the coaches and the organisation at large.”

With the highest Points-per-game output of any Ice Dog in 2018, Toulmin scored at 2.29 PPG – Good for firth in the league. He had an AIHL career high in Points at 48, in just 21 games finishing 8th overall in league scoring.

(Coach Andrew Petrie, Grant Toulim and Club President Chirs Blagg)

(Sydney Ice Dogs forward Grant Toulim)