Chris Schutz wrapped up his final season of junior hockey in style: winning an armful of hardware at the Alberni Valley Bulldogs’ year-end awards banquet last week.
The Bulldogs were eliminated in five games by the Nanaimo Clippers in the opening round of B.C. Hockey League playoffs, but gathered one last time to hand out individual awards and thank billet families and team volunteers.
Schutz, one of the team’s four 20-year-old players, earned most valuable player and top scorer awards as well as the fan-driven hardest working player award. During the season he tied three other players for second place in the franchise’s history for most goals in a season with 34. Schutz tied James Ardelan (2003/04), Josh Bonar (2003/04), and Jordan Kremyr (2005/06) for the honour.
Schutz also finished 10th in franchise all-time points with 102 points in 106 games: the most by an American player.
AWARD WINNERS
Most Valuable Player: Chris Schutz
Top Scorer: Chris Schutz
Coaches Award: Liam Conrad
Port Alberni Port Authority Hardest Working Player Award (chosen by the fans): Chris Schutz
Community Hero: Garrett Halls
Best Defenseman: Garrett Halls
Most Sportsmanlike: Jordan Sandhu
Rookie of the Year: Nathan Dingmann
Academic Player (College): Quinn Syrydiuk
Academic Player (High School): Cayden Kraus
Most Improved: Tristan Bukovec
Unsung Hero: Eric Margo & Rick Schievink
The team presented the four, 20-year-old graduates Garrett Halls, Owen Johnson, Eric Margo, and Schutz with their jerseys and thanked them for their contributions to the community as they graduate from junior hockey. The Bulldogs organization also thanked all of its fans and sponsors for their continued support this season.