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Kitchener Rangers

Kitchener Rangers Announce 2017-18 Award Winners

March 22, 2018 - Ontario Hockey League (OHL)
Kitchener Rangers News Release


The Kitchener Rangers have announced the winners of their 2017-18 season awards.

The Rangers would like to congratulate all of this years winners, and thank them for their efforts both on and off the ice.

Leading the way in wins is fourth year forward and alternate captain Adam Mascherin who earned three awards including the Jim Reilly Trophy as the team's leading scorer; the Jim Malleck Memorial Trophy as most valuable player; and the 570 News 3-Star Award.

Most Popular Player

Team morale is a key part to the success of any team. It's been proven time and again that success rises when individuals play as a group, rather than a group that plays as individuals.

Sure, talent doesn't hurt, but to win over your brothers in the dressing room it takes more than that. Likability, respect, inspiration, and leading by example - these are just a few of the qualities that have belonged to the Rangers' Most Popular Player - as voted on yearly by his teammates - over the years.

2017-18 Recipient: Connor Bunnaman

Previous Recipient: Jake Henderson, 2016-17

Bunnaman_Connor_300x300Connor Bunnaman

Connor's popularity amongst teammates has been steadfast since his rookie season with the Rangers in 2014-15. His work ethic garnered the attention of the Philadelphia Flyers who selected him in the fourth round, 109th overall in the 2016 NHL Entry Draft, and since then he has shared details of that experience with younger teammates, giving them insight on what it takes to achieve similar goals. Approachable and dedicated, Connor is admired, respected and well-liked by his teammates who overwhelmingly voted for him to receive this award.

Jim Malleck Memorial Award

Most Valuable Player

The Jim Malleck Memorial Trophy for Most Valuable Player is named after former Director and Past President through the 1960's and into the 1970's, Jim Malleck. Awarded for the first time following the 1985-86 season, the Most Valuable Player award is one of the greatest honours to be bestowed upon a player. It is awarded to the player deemed to have the most profound impact on the team's success.

2017-18 Recipient: Adam Mascherin

Previous Recipient: Adam Mascherin, 2016-17

Mascherin_Adam_300x300_TestAdam Mascherin

Adam is just the fifth player in franchise history to win the Jim Malleck Memorial Award as Most Valuable Player in back-to-back seasons. Missing just one regular season game, he led the Rangers in overtime goals (3), shots on goal (255), power play goals (12), power play assists (18), power play points (30), plus/minus (+14), and was tied for second in game winning goals (6).

Jim Reilly Award

Scoring Champion

The Jim Reilly Award for the team leader in scoring is named after Rangers past director,

Jim Reilly. First awarded in the team's inaugural season in 1963-64, the award has been won by 41 different players. Dwight Foster's mark of 143 points in the 1976-77 season remains a franchise high for points in a season by a Rangers player.

2017-18 Recipient: Adam Mascherin

Previous Recipient: Adam Mascherin, 2016-17

Mascherin_Adam_300x300_TestAdam Mascherin

After a 100-point season in 2016-17 he had a team-leading 86-point effort in 2017-18, which included his first career 40-goal campaign. On Feb. 3, 2018 he entered the Top-10 in franchise regular season points, and Top-10 in franchise goals on Feb. 10. He enjoyed a 15-game point streak during the regular season, tallying points in 50 of his 67 games played. He registered multi-point games 22 times, 11 times with three points or more. Adam registered three four-point games, including his first career four-goal game vs. the Petes on Jan. 1, 2018.

Ted Scharf Humanitarian Award

Presented by Kitchener Sports Association (KSA)

The Ted Scharf Humanitarian Award, sponsored by the Kitchener Sports Association, follows the KSA motto of "TRUE SPORTSMEN MAKE GOOD CITIZENS." This award is in recognition of the Rangers player who contributed most to our community during the regular season. The award is named after alumnus and former Rangers President Ted Scharf, a leader himself in community efforts and involvement.

2017-18 Recipient: Joseph Garreffa

Previous Recipient: Dylan Di Perna, 2016-17

Garreffa_Joseph_300x300Joseph Garreffa

It's hard to fathom how such a big smile and

larger-than-life personality comes in such a diminutive frame, but so is the case when it comes to Joseph Garreffa. A fan favourite for his flashy, dynamic play, he's also admired and respected for the time he spends off the ice. He was always one of the first to volunteer for events in the community, such as the Food Sort Challenge at the Food Bank of Waterloo Region, visits to K-W Habilitation, and multiple stops on the RBC School Tour.

Herchenrader Family Award

Best Defensive Ability

The Herchenrader Family Trophy for Best Defensive Ability was donated by former Director

Alf Herchenrader and his family. As the old saying goes, defence wins championships. Certainly without it, it makes the road to winning a lot more difficult. Whether it be a quarterback on the power play, or a speedy sniper who jumps into the rush, a well-rounded blueliner is a focal point to the success of any club.

2017-18 Recipient: Connor Hall

Previous Recipient: Frank Hora, 2016-17

Hall_Connor_300x300Connor Hall

Connor's defensive instincts have blossomed since his Ontario Hockey League debut in 2014-15. A student of the game on and off the ice, he has earned the respect of the coaching staff to be placed in the most intense of situations. His presence was felt when he was out of the lineup, but it was felt even more-so by the opposition when he was. His value as a teammate is immeasurable, as he not only exhibits high-end defensive ability, but shares that knowledge with younger blueliners as one of the club's leaders.

Bob 'Snowy' Schlieman Award

Best Offensive Defenceman

The award is named after Rangers' former longtime assistant trainer Bob 'Snowy' Schlieman. An offensive defenceman can be a game changer for a team, providing secondary scoring from the back-end, or seamlessly jumping into the rush and confusing the opposition. Since first presented in 1991-92, 18 Rangers have earned the award.

2017-18 Recipient: Logan Stanley

Previous Recipient: Dylan Di Perna, 2016-17

Stanley_Logan_300x300Logan Stanley

Logan made an immediate impact with the Blueshirts after coming over in an offseason trade with the Windsor Spitfires. He followed up a memorable Mastercard Memorial Cup winning season in 2016-17 by achieving career highs in goals (15), assists (27), points (42), power play goals (3) and shots on goal (169), leading all Rangers defencemen in each category.

Michael Pappert Award

Rookie of the Year

The adjustment to the Ontario Hockey League from whichever league you played in before coming here is rarely an easy one. The Michael Pappert Memorial Trophy, named after a former Rangers Director from the 1960's, acknowledges the efforts, accomplishments and great strides made by one of the Rangers rookies during the past season.

2017-18 Recipient: Michael Vukojevic

Previous Recipient: Greg Meireles, 2016-17

Vukojevic_Michael_300x300Michael Vukojevic

Not only is Michael hard to miss being that he's an imposing 6'3" and 213lbs at just 16-years-old, but his on-ice play also made it impossible for any fan or scout to look away.

Joining the Rangers mid-season after starting the year with the Green Bay Gamblers of the USHL Michael's presence was quickly felt, giving the Blueshirts depth on the back end rarely able to be provided by a rookie.

570 News 3-Star Award

Each time a Rangers player is chosen as 1st, 2nd or 3rd Star in a game, points are given to the player and accumulated at the end of the regular season; three points for 1st, two for 2nd and one for 3rd. The player with the most points earns the 570 News 3-Star Award.

2017-18 Recipient: Adam Mascherin

Previous Recipient: Adam Mascherin, 2016-17

Mascherin_Adam_300x300_TestAdam Mascherin

Adam was the clear-cut winner of the 570 News 3-Star Award after being named a Star 18 times in 2017-18; five times 1st, six times 2nd and seven times 3rd for a total of 34 points.

Mascherin becomes the third Rangers player to win the award in back-to-back years (Tobias Rieder, Ryan MacInnis) since its inception in 2005-06.

Jim McGeachie Memorial Award

Outstanding Team Effort

The Jim McGeachie Memorial Trophy is named in honour of former left winger Jim McGeachie, who passed away suddenly in a car accident in the summer of 1980 at the age of 19 while a member of the Rangers.

The winner of this award exhibits outstanding effort, spirit and commitment to being a member of the Rangers. He exhibits competitiveness, as well as dedication to the game and to his teammates.

2017-18 Recipient: Riley Damiani

Previous Recipient: Darby Llewellyn, 2016-17

Damiani_Riley_300x300Riley Damiani

Any player who is awarded the Jim McGeachie Memorial Award for Outstanding Team Effort might go through a tougher vetting process than a winner of any other award, based on the big shoes there are to fill from the 42 previous winners.

Through hard work and dedication to improve both on and off the ice, Riley has personified and encompassed what it means to be a Kitchener Ranger and has done so with pride.

Blueline Club Award

Most Gentlemanly Player

Our next award is presented to the player who best embodies sportsmanship and respect for the game in true Rangers fashion.

2017-18 Recipient: Rickard Hugg

Previous Recipient: Connor Bunnaman, 2016-17

Hugg_Rickard_300x300Rickard Hugg

Playing in all but two regular season games in his debut campaign with the Rangers, Rickard became comfortable in his home away from home (Hudiksvall, Sweden) by tallying 32 points in 66 games.

In those 66 contests, Rickard registered just two penalty minutes, those coming in his 19th game of the regular season on November 14 vs. the London Knights.

Les Bradley Award

Most Improved Player

The Les Bradley Memorial Award is named after longtime Rangers trainer Les Bradley. Bradley was a mainstay on the bench from 1969-1986, then after retiring as the team trainer, spent more than 15 years as a team ambassador in the press room.

2017-18 Recipient: Riley Damiani

Previous Recipient: Joseph Garreffa, 2016-17

Damiani_Riley_300x300Riley Damiani

To be named the most improved player on a team truly is a great honour. It's a testament to a player's ability to learn, grow and improve his game, and the games of his teammates. For Riley, it meant setting new career highs in goals (19) and points (37), as well as a greater understanding of the game.

Charles Chalkin Memorial Award

Best Performer in Playoffs

The Charles Chalkin Memorial Award for Best Performer in the Playoffs is named after former Rangers Director from the late 1960's/early 1970's, Charles Chalkin. From game-winning goals to series-saving stops, 38 players have been presented with the Charles Chalkin Memorial Award since its inception in 1975-76.

2017-18 Recipient: TBD

Previous Recipient: Dylan Di Perna, 2016-17

Don Cameron Award

Fifty Goal Milestone

The Don Cameron Award is awarded to a Rangers player who reaches the 50-goal milestone during the regular season. It was presented for the first time in 1975-76, and has been presented 11 times to ten different players. The 50-goal mark was reached four other times, prior to the award coming into existence.

The last time the Don Cameron Award was presented to a Rangers player was to Jeff Skinner (50) in 2009-10.

2017-18 Recipient: N/A

Previous Recipient: Jeff Skinner (50), 2009-10

Academic Achievement Award

Presented by: Robin's Goldsmithing

Four times a season, the Rangers present a deserving player with the Robin's Goldsmithing Academic Achievement Award. This award acknowledges a players drive to educational betterment and his efforts in the classroom.

2017-18 Recipients

Kyle Gentles

Jonathan Yantsis

Riley Damiani

Mike Petizian

Outstanding Player Award

Presented by: Channer's Mens Apparel

Three times a season, the Rangers present a deserving player with the Channer's Mens Apparel Outstanding Player Award. This award acknowledges a player who encompasses strong play on the ice, gives back to our community, and aims to better himself with education.

2017-18 Recipients

Connor Bunnaman

Cole Carter

Jonathan Yantsis

Harold Gowing Memorial Award

KMHA Product with Most Improvement

The Harold Gowing Memorial Award was presented to the Rangers player who previously played as a youth in the Kitchener Minor Hockey Association (KMHA) and showed the most improvement.

It was first awarded in 1967-68 and was earned 33 times. The award is no longer in circulation and was last presented to Jacob Cascagnette following the 2014-15 season.

2017-18 Recipient: N/A

Previous Recipient: Jacob Cascagnette, 2014-15

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