Knoxville's Mark Van Vliet Named SBK Defenseman of the Year
March 28, 2011 - SPHL (SPHL) News Release
CHARLOTTE, NC - The Southern Professional Hockey League (SPHL) on Monday announced that Mark Van Vliet of the Knoxville Ice Bears has been selected as the SBK Defenseman of the Year in a vote of league coaches and media representatives.
Augusta's Luke Lucyk finished second in the balloting.
The third Ice Bear to receive the honor, Van Vliet led all defensemen in points (43), goals (15) game-winning goals (5) and shootout goals (2) despite missing 12 games due to injury.
Van Vliet, who was runner-up for the award last season, also finished second among blueliners with 28 assists and five power-play goals.
SPHL Defenseman of the Year Award Winners
2010-11 - Mark Van Vliet, Knoxville Ice Bears
2009-10 - Steve Weidlich, Mississippi Surge
2008-09 - Kevin Harris, Knoxville Ice Bears
2007-08 - Dan Vandermeer, Richmond Renegades
2006-07 - Brian Goudie, Richmond Renegades
2005-06 - Mike Clarke, Fayetteville FireAntz
2004-05 - Curtis Menzul, Knoxville Ice Bears
The SPHL will announce its Goaltender of the Year on Tuesday.
• Discuss this story on the SPHL message board...
SPHL Stories from March 28, 2011
- Cottonmouths Week in Review/SPHL Playoff Preview - Columbus Cottonmouths
- Havoc Readies For Playoffs - Huntsville Havoc
- A story of courage, perseverance highlights Puska on Pucks - OSC Original by Denis Puska
- Snakes Prepare for First Round Playoff Action - Columbus Cottonmouths
- Pensacola Ice Flyers Draw Augusta in SPHL Playoffs - Pensacola Ice Flyers
- Knoxville's Mark Van Vliet Named SBK Defenseman of the Year - SPHL
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.