Cougars earn awards at annual banquet

April 30, 2014 · 0 Comments

Nick Chaykowsky (top defenceman), Blake Culley (top scorer and most gentlemanly), head coach Jim Egerton (Ken Hamilton award for dedication to team), Justin Formenton (rookie of the year); front row John Gage (team MVP), JP Crescenzi (Heart Trophy), Taylor Ewart (top goalie).
Photo by Jeff Doner

By Jeff Doner
The Schomberg Cougars Junior C hockey club held their annual awards and year-end dinner to recognize their achievements from a successful 2013-14 season.
The past season was one of the more successful ones for the Cougars in recent memory, as they rode a relatively new roster and a new coaching staff into a semi-final series with the league leading Penetang Kings.
Forward Blake Culley was given the trophy for top scorer, finishing the season with 23 goals and 37 assists for 60 points.
Veteran netminder Taylor Ewart had a solid season in net for the Cougars and was awarded with the top goalie award. Egerton called him steady all season long and a quiet team leader.
Ewart finished the season with 15 wins, seven losses, three overtime losses, two shootout losses and a shutout.
With such a young team, the Cougars rookie of the year award could have gone to a number of players, but ultimately the award went to defenceman Justin Formenton.
Formenton, along with his defence partner Nick Chaykowsky, was noticeable on the ice game in and game out. He finished the regular season with 22 points in 39 games and led the Cougars in playoff scoring with five goals and 14 points in 11 games.
Speaking of Chaykowsky, he was awarded with the top defenseman award for a strong rookie season on the Cougars blue line.
“Being a new, young player in the league, his leadership on our team is endless,” Egerton said. “He led the defencemen on the team in scoring, he’s a leader on the ice and off the ice, he put up some great numbers and I heard he’s pretty tough, too. He anchored our power play most games and played in all game situations and was a force every game.”
The Heart Trophy, which is annually awarded to a player that demonstrates hard work, dedication and a lot for the game, was given to one of the Cougars hardest working players: JP Crescenzi.
Throughout 40 games, he was a point per game player for the Cougars and also spent some time as a call-up with the Junior A Aurora Tigers.
Another hard-working player was recognized as the team’s MVP. John Gage has been with the Cougars for a couple of seasons and earned some attention with his play in 2014.
The veteran player finished second in team scoring with 52 points in 38 regular seasons games and 12 points in the playoffs.
“We were a way better team when he was on his game,” said Egerton. “He probably is one of the most skilled players in the league with the puck. Some of his goals and his setups were highlight reels. He can be a leading scorer in this league if he returns.”
Team president Randy Hull also handed out a few awards that are chosen each year by the team’s executive.
The Wayne Dove Memorial Trophy for the most improved player went to both Kiefer McIntosh and Chris Wilson.
Wayne Dove was a long-time general manager with the Schomberg Cougars and was an integral part of the team’s 2002-03 championship team. He was also a volunteer fire fighter and executive with Schomberg Minor Hockey.
The Stephen Grant Memorial Award for the most gentlemanly player was given to Mitch Safaric and Blake Culley, who combined for just 10 penalty minutes in the regular season.
And the Ken Hamiton Award, which is not given out every year, was given to coach Egerton.
The award is handed out to any individual who has displayed an outstanding dedication to the hockey club.
“Although the recipient of this year’s Ken Hamilton is a rookie, the executive felt that his personal sacrifice qualified him to be a recipient of this prestigious award,” Hull said. “Enthusiastic, hardworking, knowledgeable, spirited, fair minded and definitely dedicated are definitely words to describe this year’s award winner, our head coach Jim Egerton.”
After handing out the awards, head coach Jim Egerton told those in attendance that he hopes the core of the team will be returning, as he believes the Cougars can make another run at the Schmaltz Cup.