Bees Name Postseason Award Recipients

Published on April 12, 2007 under Central Hockey League (CHL)
Rio Grande Valley Killer Bees News Release


Hidalgo, Texas --- The Rio Grande Valley Killer Bees today announced the recipients of the team's postseason awards, which were presented at a season ticket holder party Thursday night at the Dewars 12 Lounge inside Dodge Arena.

The following is a list of award recipients as selected by the coaching staff, online fan voting and Killer Bee Fan Club.

MVP - Rob Voltera

Voltera put together a career season despite playing in just 49 games for the Bees. His 53 points eclipsed a previous career high with the BC Icemen (UHL) in 2000-01 when he posted 25-24-49 totals. He set a franchise high with points in eight consecutive games from Feb. 3 - March 2, then shattered that mark with points in 10 straight games from March 6-25. Rob closed out the season with 21 points (8-13-21, plus-2, 2 GWG) in the month of March and narrowly missed the selection as the CHL's Player of the Month, being edged by Bossier-Shreveport's Cam Abbott (14-9-23, plus-11, 3 GWG). He finished tied for the team lead with five game-winning goals and fourth in team scoring.

Rookie of the Year - Jon Robert

Robert began the season with a pair of goals against the Arizona Sundogs and went on to post 13-14-27 totals. He contributed to the Bees playoff push with a goal and three assists over the last four games of the season and was one of only three players to compete in all 64 games.

Best Defenseman - Matt Medley

Acquired from Tulsa with David Masse in January, Medley earns Bees' Best Defenseman honors for the second consecutive year. While a member of Tulsa, Medley was named to the Northern Conference All Star Team and took home the Northern Conference MVP Award from the game in Bossier-Shreveport. With Rio Grande Valley, he collected 25 points (5-20-25) in 31 games and was plus-5. He collected points in 11 of the team's final 13 games, posted assists in six consecutive games to close out the regular season.

Most Improved Player - Adam Blanchette

A rookie who recently turned 21, Blanchette began the season as defenseman. With injuries piling up late in the season, he was moved to wing and scored his first professional goal on March 6 in a 6-0 shutout of Austin. The goal turned out to be the game-winner in the second of five crucial playoff stretch wins over the Ice Bats. He is one of three players to appear in all 64 regular season games.

Unsung Hero - Nick Warriner

Another mid/late-season acquisition by the Bees, Warriner brought a strong work ethic and to the ice every night and was often on the ice for key faceoffs and important penalty-killing situations. His play helped the Bees finish the regular season with the third-best penalty-killing percentage in the CHL at 86.6%. In his 21 games with the Bees in the regular season, he did not finish less than minus-2 in a game and was minus-4 overall with Rio. His finish of minus-14 overall is impressive when considering he came to the Bees from a team that finished with the worst goals differential in the league.

Darcy Smith Community Leadership - Rob Voltera

Voltera was among the first to volunteer for community efforts and was always available, even at the last minute, according to Killer Bees Public Relations Director Jacquie Kurth. His efforts included supporting the Driscoll Children's Hospital Goals for Kids

Pledge Drive along with team captain Jason Cirone.

Fan Favorite (selected via online poll) - Dennis Maxwell

A popular player both on and off the ice, Maxwell had a career-best 59 points, and fell four goals shy of matching a career-best 25 goals. His 25 power play points were second on the team and he led the Bees with 18 power play assists, helping the Bees to a CHL sixth-best 17.1% on the man-advantage.

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