After a safe and completed 2021 Pod Season in Chilliwack, BC, the Prince George Spruce Kings are excited to recap all of the team award winners from this past season. Here are all of the winners.
PLUS MINUS AWARD – Colton Cameron
2002 born defender Colton Cameron enjoyed another fantastic season with the Spruce Kings. In the brief 20 game pod season in Chilliwack, Cameron finished +21 in those 20 games. This is the second straight season that the Cloverdale, BC product has won the plus minus award.
FITNESS AWARD – Nick Rhéaume
First year Spruce King Nick Rhéaume had a very impressive rookie campaign. Not only did the Sherbrooke, QC product put the work in on the ice, he also did off of it in the gym. The hard work showed, as the 6’3 185 pound forward finished fourth in team points during the Pod season.
7TH MAN COACHES AWARD – Rowan Miller
Miller’s first season in Spruce Kings colours was a memorable one. The three year BCHL veteran impressed during the pod season. Miller notched a pair of shorthanded goals, and finished the pod with 14 points in 20 games.
MOST DEDICATED AWARD – Kolton Cousins and Andrew Seaman
Andrew Seaman and Kolton Cousins are both integral pieces to the Spruce Kings roster. Seaman, the lone American on the team roster, spent a lot of time away from home, including staying in Prince George during the holidays, and sticking around for the season to start. It ended up all paying off for Seaman, as he dazzled during the Pod season. The Union College commit finished with 16 points in 17 games in the Chilliwack Pod.
Kolton Cousins also had a massive season. The Sechelt, BC product exploded for 8 goals in the pod, the most in a single season in the 19 year old’s junior career. The Spruce Kings assistant captain also finished with three helpers in the Pod season.
SCHOLASTIC AWARD – Connor Elliott and Ben LeFranc
Not only did the pair of 17 year old defenceman have stellar rookie seasons in the BCHL, they also got it done in the classroom. LeFranc finished the 2021 season with five points in 18 games, while Elliott tallied seven points in 19 games played.
INSPIRATIONAL AWARD – Kolton Cousins
In back to back seasons, Kolton Cousins wins the Spruce Kings Inspirational Award. Cousins is known for his penalty killing abilities, his physicality, and his tenaciousness, but he also contributed offensively. Cousins finished third in team goals with 8 and finished the Pod season with 11 points in 20 games played.
MOST IMPROVED PLAYER AWARD – John Herrington and Nick Rhéaume
Both first year Spruce Kings took massive strides and are also big pieces to the Spruce Kings future. Herrington, from Hudson’s Hope BC, finished the Pod season with 14 points and was playing on the top line with Andrew Seaman and Christian Buono.
Nick Rhéaume also blossomed in his rookie season in the blue, red, and white. Rhéaume found a ton of chemistry with his line-mates Simon Labelle and Rowan Miller. Rhéaume finished the brief 20 game campaign with 14 points, including six goals.
ROOKIE OF THE YEAR – Aaron Trotter
First year goaltender Aaron Trotter was no short of sensational during the 2021 Pod season in Chilliwack. Trotter finished atop the Chilliwack Pod and second in the entire BCHL in goals against average (1.63) and save percentage (.934). Trotter also finished with 7 wins and 2 shutouts and was named the Chilliwack Pod’s Top Goaltender.
LEADING SCORER – CHRISTIAN BUONO
Christian Buono’s 20 year old season in the BCHL was a fantastic one. Not only did he finish with the best numbers in a single season in his junior career, he was also named the Chilliwack Pod’s Most Valuable Player. The Burnaby BC product led all skaters in the Chilliwack Pod with 14 goals and 13 assists in just 20 games. Buono also notched his 100th career BCHL point in the 20th and final game against Chilliwack to propel the Spruce Kings to the Chilliwack Pod victory.
TOP DEFENCEMAN – Mason Waite
The Spruce Kings captain shined throughout the Exhibiton Season in the fall and in the Chilliwack Pod. Waite finished with 19 points in 17 games in the Pod, which was the most out of any defenceman. Waite’s 19 points also had him tied for 2nd in the entire BC Hockey League in points by a defenceman. The St Lawrence commit also had two helpers in the final game to help the Spruce Kings win the Chilliwack Pod.
MOST VALUABLE PLAYER – Mason Waite
Not only did Waite have a ton of points in just 17 games, but the Spruce Kings captain was relied on in all situations on the ice. The Winnipeg, MB product wraps up his Spruce Kings career with two Defenceman of the Year awards, and now the Most Valuable Player award. Waite finishes his Spruce Kings career with 48 points in 68 games played.
