On
the last night of each hockey season, just prior to
the 7:00 pm game, the League holds a Closing Ceremony.
All the teams are asked out onto the ice wearing their
team jerseys. The following League Awards are presented
in recognition of the endless efforts, dedication, and
commitment to excellence by Athletes, Coaches, Parents,
and Volunteers.
|
SWMHSHL
2007-2008 SEASON AWARDS |
League
Season Champions: |
Portage Central |
League
Tournament Champions:
|
Portage
Central
|
All
Star Teams
All
players that are academically eligible at the end of
the season and who participated in a minimum of 7 league
games regardless of the number of years of varsity
participation are eligible to be nominated for the
All Star Teams. Players are evaluated on individual
statistics such as goals scored and assists. Goaltenders
are evaluated on playing minutes, shots on goals, Goals
Against, Goals Against Average and save percentage.
Penalty minutes as well as personal player qualities
such as leadership, sportsmanship, game knowledge and
team play are considered for all positions.
The recipients of this award are selected by all of the
Head Coaches and League Commissioner.
1st
Team All Stars:
|
|
POSITION
|
#
|
NAME |
TEAM
|
|
Goalie
|
35
|
Joey
Ballmer
|
Kalamazoo
Eagles
|
Defense
|
7
|
Chris
Sandmeyer
|
Portage
Central
|
|
Defense
|
18
|
Matt
Duis
|
Portage
Northern
|
Defense
|
27
|
Todd
Miller
|
Portage
Central
|
|
Forward
|
8
|
Jared
Hook
|
Portage
Central
|
Forward
|
12
|
Kevin
Campbell
|
Portage
Northern
|
|
Forward
|
14
|
Nicco
Braganini
|
Portage
Northern
|
|
Forward
|
14
|
Scotty
Simmons
|
Kalamazoo
Blades
|
|
2nd
Team All Stars:
|
|
POSITION
|
#
|
NAME |
TEAM
|
|
Goalie
|
29
|
Brogan
VanDeVelde
|
Portage
Central
|
Defense
|
7
|
Nick
Kruse
|
Portage
Northern
|
|
Defense
|
9
|
Nate
McCorry
|
Mattawan
|
Defense
|
10
|
Dan
Merkle
|
Kalamazoo
Blades
|
|
Forward
|
10
|
Austin
Pence
|
Mattawan
|
Forward
|
13
|
Doug
Wheelright
|
Portage
Northern
|
|
Forward
|
29
|
Bobby
Miller
|
Kalamazoo
Eagles
|
|
Honorable
Mention Awards:
|
|
POSITION
|
#
|
NAME |
TEAM
|
|
Goalie
|
1
|
Derek
Straub
|
Mattawan
|
Goalie
|
35
|
Barry
Toornman
|
Portage
Northern
|
|
Defense
|
8
|
Hunter
Atkins
|
Kalamazoo
United
|
Defense
|
12
|
Shawn
Jones
|
Mattawan
|
|
Defense
|
25
|
Dylan
Dault
|
Mattawan
|
Defense
|
27
|
Kyle
Pavlack
|
Kalamazoo
Eagles
|
|
Forward
|
4
|
Brian
Phillips
|
Kalamazoo
United
|
Forward
|
6
|
Tommy
Fawley
|
Kalamazoo
Blades
|
|
Forward
|
8
|
Tyler
Hatfield
|
Kalamazoo
Blades
|
Forward
|
9
|
Scotty
Sulka
|
Kalamazoo
Eagles
|
|
Forward
|
15
|
Rob
Fender
|
Portage
Northern
|
Forward
|
17
|
Erik
Hoffman
|
Portage
Central
|
|
Forward
|
19
|
Travis
Tuma
|
Portage
Northern
|
Forward
|
19
|
Max
Taylor
|
Portage
Central
|
|
Season
Award Achives:
Grant
Smith Memorial Trophy (Sportsmanship)
The
Grant Smith Memorial Trophy was first given at the conclusion
of the 1979-80 season. It is named after a former Portage
Northern hockey star who died tragically in an automobile
accident in 1979. The Kalamazoo Hockey Referees Association
awards this trophy to the player who best exhibits the
combination of hockey talents and sportsmanship, both on
and off the ice.
| Previous
winners of this award have been |
| NAME |
SEASON
|
SCHOOL
|
Chris
Sandmeyer
|
2007-2008
|
Portage
Central
|
Ryan
Jones
|
2006-2007
|
Mattawan
|
< < < RETURN
TO TOP
Ed Edwards, Referee
in Chief Award
The
Ed Edwards Referee-in-Chief Award was first given at the
conclusion of the 1988-89 season. It is named in honor of
Ed (Doc) Edwards for the more than 25 years of support and
time he has given to amateur hockey in Kalamazoo. Ed was
the founder of the Kalamazoo Hockey Referees Association
(KHRA), and served as its president from its beginning through
the 1986-87 season. The recipient of this award is chosen
by the Referee-in-Chief of the KHRA, a member of the SWMHSHL
board and Ed Edwards or his designate. The criteria for selection
is based on overall:
- Grade
Point Average
- Playing
Ability and Sportsmanship
The
award currently carries a $500 scholarship, which is presented
upon acceptance to college or trade school. The money for
the scholarship has been donated by corporations and individuals.
| Previous
winners of this award have been |
| NAME |
SEASON
|
SCHOOL
|
Matt
Copp
|
1988-1989
|
Portage
Central |
Craig
Humphrey Mike
Nelson
|
1989-1990
|
Kalamazoo
Central
Portage
Central |
Dana
LaLiberte
|
1990-1991
|
Kalamazoo
Central |
Brian
Kudary
|
1991-1992
|
Kalamazoo
Eagles |
Marc
Humphrey
|
1992-1993
|
Kalamazoo
Central |
| Steve Seiler |
1993-1994 |
Kalamazoo Central |
| Tony Schirripa |
1994-1995 |
Kalamazoo Eagles |
| Mark Lavender |
1995-1996 |
Portage Northern |
| Josh Thomas |
1996-1997 |
Kalamazoo Blades |
| Brian Bellware |
1997-1998 |
Kalamazoo Eagles |
| Jeremy Von Eitzen |
1998-1999 |
Kalamazoo Blades |
| Neil VerPlanck |
1999-2000 |
Kalamazoo Central |
| Keith
Czerney |
2000-2001
|
Kalamazoo
Eagles
|
| Andrew
Chrisman |
2001-2002
|
Kalamazoo
Eagles
|
Nathan
Beverwyck
Danny
Klauer |
2002-2003 |
Portage
Central Portage
Central |
< < < RETURN
TO TOP
Matthew
S. VanderSalm Memorial Scholarship Award
The
Matthew S VanderSalm Memorial Scholarship Fund award
was given at the conclusion of the 1989-90 season.
The award is named after a 1988 graduate of Gull
Lake High School and an excellent 3-year defenseman
for the Kalamazoo Eagles who was tragically killed
in 1989, a victim of a drunk driver. His parents
directed that a scholarship fund be established in
his memory to be awarded to a senior defenseman who
has been accepted to a two or four year college.
Donations are gratefully accepted through the Kalamazoo
Foundation for the fund. The award goes to the defensive
player who displays the highest degree of sportsmanship,
skill and team play during their hockey career. A
panel consisting of the League President, Referee-In
Chief, Commissioner, members and friends of the VanderSalm
family and other board members of the SWMHSHL makes
the selection. This year’s award carries a
$2,000 scholarship.
| Previous
winners of this award have been |
| NAME |
SEASON
|
SCHOOL
|
Todd
Miller
|
2007-2008
|
Portage
Central
|
Brad
Grossa
|
2006-2007
|
Kalamazoo
United
|
< < < RETURN
TO TOP
Jim
Groetsema Adult Contribution Award
The
Jim Groetsema Adult Contribution Award is given
annually to recognize the tremendous amount of
volunteer work done by an adult supporter. The
award was first given to Jim by the League for
his tireless contributions. Jim, members of the
SWMHSHL Board and the Commissioner make the selection.
| Previous
winners of this award have been |
| NAME |
SEASON
|
SCHOOL
|
Dan
Klok
|
2007-2008
|
SWMHSHL
Volunteer
|
Brad
Johnson
|
2006-2007
|
Kalamazoo
United
|
< < < RETURN
TO TOP
Rookie
of the Year Award
The
Rookie of the Year Award is presented to the Freshman or
Sophomore player playing their first year in the League
who most contributed to the overall success of his or her
team. The recipient of this award is selected by all of
the Head Coaches and League Commissioner.
| Previous
winners of this award have been |
| NAME |
SEASON
|
SCHOOL
|
Joey
Ballmer
|
2007-2008
|
Kalamazoo
Eagles
|
Derek
Straub
|
2006-2007
|
Mattawan
|
< < < RETURN
TO TOP
Goalie
of the Year Award
The Goalie of the Year Award is presented to
the goaltender(s) who contributed most to the
overall success of their team. The recipient
of this award is selected by all of the Head
Coaches and League Commissioner.
This
year’s winner, Joey Ballmer, played in almost
half of the season games and had 114 shots on goal
with a Goals Against
Average of 2.67 and a Save Percentage of 86%.
| Previous
winners of this award have been |
| NAME |
SEASON
|
SCHOOL
|
Joey
Ballmer
|
2007-2008
|
Kalamazoo
Eagles
|
Tom
Vigen
|
2006-2007
|
Kalamazoo
Eagles
|
< < < RETURN
TO TOP
Ray
Tripp Most Valuable Player (MVP) Award
The
MVP award is presented to the player(s) who
contributes most to the overall success of
their team. The recipient of this award is
selected by all of the Head Coaches and League
Commissioner.
This
year’s winner, Kevin Campbell, played in all
of the season league games, had 12 goals and 13 assists
for a total
of 25 points, which he was one of the three players that
lead the league in points.
| Previous
winners of this award have been |
| NAME |
SEASON
|
SCHOOL
|
Kevin
Campbell
|
2007-2008
|
Portage
Northern
|
Tom
Vigen
|
2006-2007
|
Kalamazoo
Eagles
|
< < < RETURN
TO TOP
Players
Choice Award
This
award began in the 1997-98 season and is presented
to the player who, in the eyes of the other
players, most contributed
to his or her team and whom they most admire.
At the conclusion of the regular season all
players are asked not to vote for a player
on their own team and are encouraged to consider
all positions and base their vote on both player
statistics and personal qualities.
| Previous
winners of this award have been |
| NAME |
SEASON
|
SCHOOL
|
Doug
Wheelright
|
2007-2008
|
Portage
Northern
|
Brad
Grossa
|
2006-2007
|
Kalamazoo
Eagles
|
< < < RETURN
TO TOP
Jimmy
Arnold Courage Award
This
is a new award this year. The award is named
after Jimmy Arnold a 2004 graduate of Mattawan
High School and an excellent 4-year defenseman
who was tragically killed in Iran in 2007.
This award is presented to the player who has
persevered through any adverse situation on
ice or off, injury, or showed tremendous amounts
of courage and is available to a player at
any grade level. The recipient of this award
is selected by all of the Head Coaches and
League Commissioner.
This year’s winner is a 90-pound
Freshman Forward that played in eight league games
displaying a tremendous
amount of courage playing against players twice her size.
She hung in there and made it through the season without
injury.
| Previous
winners of this award have been |
| NAME |
SEASON
|
SCHOOL
|
Taylor
Laning
|
2007-2008
|
Kalamazoo
United
|
< < < RETURN
TO TOP
Steve
Banonis Coach of the Year Award
The
Coach of the Year Award was first inaugurated
in the 1989-90 season. The name of the award
was changed in the 1997-98 season in memory
of Steve Banonis who was tragically killed
in an automobile accident in December of 1993.
Steve was an outstanding former Kalamazoo Wings
player. He coached in the SWMHSHL and was currently
coaching the Junior K-Wings at the time of
his death. The award recognizes the outstanding
contributions of all of our coaches but particularly
the one who experienced all around success.
The criteria for this selection are overall
success on the ice relative to talent available.
Such things as development, improvement and
team sportsmanship are important considerations.
. The recipient of this award is selected by
all of the Head Coaches and League Commissioner.
| Previous
winners of this award have been |
| NAME |
SEASON
|
SCHOOL
|
JD
Kalleward
|
2007-2008
|
Portage
Northern
|
Brad
Johnson
|
2006-2007
|
Kalamazoo
United
|
< < < RETURN
TO TOP
|