Thunderbirds hand out 2003-04 awards
March 17, 2004 - Western Hockey League (WHL)
Seattle Thunderbirds News Release
HUMANITARIAN
The Seattle Thunderbirds Humanitarian Award winner for the 2003-04 season is quite deserving of this award. Whether it was speaking at local schools or helping students with reading or sharing hockey tips with pee-wee players in his hometown, this player was involved in numerous Seattle Thunderbirds charitable events. Your Humanitarian award winner, for the second year in a row, is Dustin Johner.
SCHOLASTIC PLAYER
As if a busy practice and game schedule wasn't enough, this player also maintained an outstanding attitude and aptitude in the classroom. This rookie had a fantastic first season on the ice with 13 points on four goals and nine assists and was a plus 10 in plus/minus. Your Scholastic Player of the Year is Scott Jackson.
MOST SPORTSMANLIKE PLAYER
This player has combined a high skill level with an ability to play well within the rules. On both the offensive and defensive ends of the ice he has exhibited a mutual respect for teammates, opponents and officials. The T-Birds Most Sportsmanlike Award winner is Aaron Gagnon.
MOST IMPROVED
The Most Improved award this season is being presented to two Thunderbirds and will represent both the offensive and defensive ends of the ice. Both of this season's winners made great strides in their second full WHL season. On the front line this player quadrupled his goal output and doubled his point output from last season, even while missing the first nine game of the year with an injury. The defensive winner of this award was a constant and intimidating presence on the blue line this season. Your Most Improved Thunderbirds are Clayton Barthel and Aaron Gagnon.
ROOKIE OF THE YEAR
This rookie from Saskatoon, Saskatchewan had a very impressive first season in the W-H-L. He saw significant ice time for a 16-year-old, on both the power play and the penalty kill. This player has been in the Thunderbird top five in scoring for the whole season and finishes with 17 goals and 26 assists for 43 points. Your T-Bird Rookie of the Year is Chris Durand.
TOP SCORER
This player was near the top of the scoring table for Seattle throughout the season. Playing on Seattle's top line this player finished with 22 goals and 37 assists for 59 points. Your Seattle Thunderbird leading scorer is Tyler Metcalfe.
DEFENSEMAN OF THE YEAR
This defenseman played both the offensive and defensive ends of the ice with great skill. He was able to contribute scoring while holding his own on the blue line. This native of Salmon Arm, British Columbia was often matched up against an opponent's top line. The Thunderbirds Defenseman of the year is Scott Jackson.
MOST VALUABLE PLAYER
This player had or shared numerous team highs in scoring this season. He shared the records for most points in a game with three; the high for most assists in a game with three and the high for most goals in a game with two. When it came to point streaks this Thunderbird had the longest goal streak at four games as well as two four-game point streaks and two three-game assist streaks. Not only could this forward score as evident from his 59 points on 17 goals and 26 assists, but he was also a very impressive two-way player. Your Thunderbirds Most Valuable Player is Tyler Metcalfe.
SPECIAL DUSTIN JOHNER AWARD
With the conclusion of tonight's game Dustin Johner ends his fourth full season with the Seattle Thunderbirds. This three-time captain of the Thunderbirds leaves the team having netted 271 points on 120 goals and 151 assists. Dustin has the third highest total for games played by a Thunderbird with 291, behind only Glen Goodall's 399 and Rob Dumas' 317. The Thunderbirds at this time would like to present Dustin with a plaque that commemorates the impressive achievement of playing 291 games in a Thunderbirds jersey.
Western Hockey League Stories from March 17, 2004
- Everett celebrates Silvertips season in style - Everett Silvertips
- Kinasewich Named to Western Conference All-Star Team - Tri-City Americans
- Tickets Available for Games 1 - 4 - Regina Pats
- Three Hitmen Receive WHL Honours - Calgary Hitmen
- First round versus Everett starts Friday night - Spokane Chiefs
- Cougars win draft lottery - WHL
- Thunderbirds hand out 2003-04 awards - Seattle Thunderbirds
- Schell and Klassen Earn Post-Season Honor - Spokane Chiefs
- Constantine finalist for WHL coach of the year - Everett Silvertips
- Chiefs Weekly Report - Spokane Chiefs
- WHL Playoff Preview - WHL
- WHL announces 2003-04 award finalists and conference all-star teams - WHL
- Blazers News - Kamloops Blazers
- 'Canes To Select Fourth Overall in 2004 WHL Bantam Draft - Lethbridge Hurricanes
- Wheaties set to battle Raiders - Brandon Wheat Kings
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