A bumper freshman class for the Richmond Sockeyes was evident when the Pacific Junior Hockey League announced its year-end awards.
Marcus Pantazis was named Rookie-of-the-Year — sharing the honours with Langley Trappers’ Adam Nobes.
The 18-year-old forward led the Sockeyes in scoring with 52 points, including 22 goals. That was also good enough for 11th overall in the league and the best among first-year players.
The Vancouver native, who led the B.C. Major Midget Hockey League’s Greater Vancouver Canadians in scoring a year earlier, played much of the season with Craig Schouten who was the league’s top freshman goal scorer with 27.
Pantazis arrived at the Sockeyes training camp after getting a long look with the Camrose Kodiaks of the Alberta Junior Hockey League.
He has since been affiliated with the Coquitlam Express and was called up for a game this past season.
Other league award winners included:
Most Valuable Player: Baylee Wright (Abbotsford Pilots).
Best Defenceman: David Padgham (Aldergrove Kodiaks).
Most Improved: Jake Da Waal (Abbotsford Pilots/Mark Epshtein (Delta Ice Hawks).
Most Inspirational: Matthew Trulsen (Port Moody Panthers).
Sportsmanship Award: Justin Lee (North Vancouver Wolf Pack).
Scoring Champion: Baylee Wright (Abbotsford Pilots).
Best Goaltender: Niklas Hoem (North Vancouver Wolf Pack).
Coach of the Year: Bayne Koen (North Vancouver Wolf Pack).
Executive of the Year: Jack Goeson (Abbotsford Pilots).
Trainer of the Year: Daniel Mack (Langley Trappers).
Broadcaster of the Year: Ben Phillips (North Vancouver Wolf Pack).
Regular season champion North Vancouver completed a dominant run through the PJHL playoffs by sweeping Langley in the championship series. They will now represent the PJHL in next month’s Cyclone Taylor Cup in Campbell River.
Icing…
The Sockeyes have also made two off-ice announcements.
Tyler Andrews has joined Brett Reusch’s staff as an assistant coach. Andrews was the PJHL MVP a year ago and is following his older brother Jordan’s footsteps who also spent a couple of years as an assistant.
The club has also welcomed Will Kump onboard as Director of Operations. The longtime Richmond resident has worked closely with the Sockeyes over the years as the city’s Community Facilities Coordinator.
