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Vrain · 02-15-2025, 05:04 PM

Welcome to the season 80 Ottawa Highlander Team Awards!

Four seasons ago when I joined the league, I had no idea what I was getting into. Through the luck of the draft I joined a young Ottawa Highlander team in only their second season after expansion and got the chance to help build a franchise from the ground up. We have known the highs of a run to the finals and the pain of a first round exit. I’ve seen veterans and new players alike join the team and the locker room grow from a handful of excited people to a vibrant community of Highlanders and friends from around the league. Over my four seasons I’ve found friends, teammates, and best of all, new books. The Highlander locker room has become my favorite place on the internet and one I wouldn’t trade for the world. As outgoing captain I have been honoured to wear the Highlander tartan for four seasons and I am doubly honoured to be able to hand out our awards to my teammates.

After a season full of franchise record breaking performances, it’s no surprise that every single award came down to the wire. In my third season running the Highlander awards, this season’s votes were easily the closest I’ve seen and I want to thank everyone who took the time to vote. Let’s get on to the good stuff and hand out some hardware.

Ottawa Claymore - Offensive Player of the Year Highlanders

In a season where every offensive Highlander franchise record was broken there were many great candidates for this award. Four players put up more than 80 points, five scored more than 20 goals, and seven had more than 30 assists giving a large list of possible winners. This season's award goes to the player who set four of those franchise records in goals, points, power play goals, and shots while finishing second in the league in both goals and power play goals.

Congratulations to Spaceman Spiff!

Tartan Shield - Defensive Player of the Year Highlanders

The Tartan Shield was the tightest race of all the awards with two players separated by a single vote, and both making a strong case for the award throughout the season. While there is only one winner, I wanted to make sure both players got the attention they deserve. Goalie Jeff Kirkstone III carried the load in net playing in the second most games in the SMJHL and facing the 5th most shots among goalies. Kirkstone finished in the top 10 in wins, GAA, saves, and games played and topped all other goalies with an astounding 8 shutouts. Defenseman Pavel Mintyukov played in all situations, facing down the toughest opposition while putting up one of the best offensive seasons by a Highlander defensemen in franchise history with 17 goals, 33 assists, and 50 points. Unfortunately, only one of these fantastic players can win this award.

Congratulations to Pavel Mintyukov!

Cameron Trophy - Best Two-Way Player Highlanders

The team draws inspiration from the historical Cameron Highlanders, a storied unit in Canadian Armed Forces history. Being a strong unit requires strategy, that both anticipates attacks and can dish them out. Proficiency at both is what made the Cameron Highlanders so potent, and why the Two-Way award is named as is. This season's winner was a leader in all phases of the game, leading the team in assists (including a new Highlander record), shorthanded points, while leading all Highlander forwards in takeaways and blocks.

Congratulations to this season's winner Leo Carlsson!

Best Rookie Player Highlanders

This season's rookie of the year stepped into a veteran forward corps and didn't look out of place all season. With 23 goals and 56 points this player set new Highlander rookie records in both categories.

Congratulations to this season's rookie of the year Soobin!

Hockey Player Award for the Most Dedicated Highlander Highlanders

This award should be no surprise to anyone. In only his second season this person has cemented themselves into both the Highlander organization and the league as a whole. War room, HO, recruitment and more, nothing keeps this person down, not even the need to sleep.

Congratulations to this season's winner Leo Carlsson!

Cob O'Corn Leadership Award Highlanders

(Presented by Ottawa GM Frenchie)

As the seasons come and go, especially in the SMJHL, some new folks are required to step up to account for some of the holes left in the lineup from age-outs and call-ups. Though the Ottawa Highlanders are a young franchise, it's already seen its story become heavily intertwined and synonymous with one name : Spaceman Spiff. The two time, and I'm happy to announce, the now THREE time Cob recipient has stepped up in a big way, making his presence, his leadership felt, and known. A positive presence from season to season, his consistency is revered, respected, admired and has been a pillar that this young team could lean on to support its growing pains. While the Cob will remain the Cob, Spaceman has definitely left his mark on it, and has raised the bar extremely hard for people to follow in his footsteps.

Congratulations Spiff, and thank you for 4 seasons of magic in teal and burgundy!

The Highlander - Team's Choice MVP Highlanders

(Presented by Ottawa GM Frenchie)

What more does Spaceman need to do to be considered one of the Ottawa goats at this stage? The accolades speak for themselves, and despite coming up a bit short statistically over his four season compatriot in Easton Schaffer, Spaceman has never stopped showing up, and has done so once more during S80. Leading the team in goals and points, whilst also playing some tough minutes each night, Spiff really delivered and expectations, once more. While this season was a lot closer, reuniting a lot of MVP worthy performances, Spiff lead this team from start to finish, and is very deserving of The Highlander!

Congratulations Spiff!

Congratulations once again to all our S80 award winners! Airson glòir! For glory!

Highlanders

*MikeLiut* · 02-15-2025, 06:48 PM

Congrats Vrain and all the winners!

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