Today the MJHL announced the winners for the top league awards.
Terriers’ head coach Blake Spiller was named coach of the year, winning the Muzz McPherson” Award. Meanwhile, Terriers’ blueliner Owen Murray was named top rookie winning the Vince Leah Trophy.
League Commissioner Kim Davis, “Every player should be commended for their outstanding performance over the regular season. Coaches of the league vote and make the selections. These selections are extremely difficult to make. The talent level in our league is reflective in how difficult it was to select these major awards.”
Rookie of the Year – Vince Leah Trophy
Owen Murray, Portage Terriers
Murray, who turned 16 in December, hails from Decker, MB. He’s a shifty defenceman who plays the game at a high speed. Currently, he has 36 points (8-28) in 50 games.
Earlier this season he was named the IBAM Rookie of the Month in October and was one of five MJHL players invited to the selection camp for Team Canada West which was playing in the World Junior A Challenge.
“Owen was a deserved recipient along with Moore, Henry, and Buchholz who made the Rookie All Star Team. All of our rookies have performed well for us.” – says Spiller
Murray is in good company with former Terriers` Tyler Jeanson winning it in 2013/14, and Nick Henry in 2015/16.
Coach of the Year – Portage Terriers Muzz McPherson Award
Blake Spiller, Portage Terriers
Currently, the Terriers sit atop the MJHL with 41 wins after 55 games. Spiller’s accolades are many: twice named CJHL Coach of the Year, and now a four-time winner of the MJHL Coach of the Year Award. He was also GM/head coach of the Terriers when they won the RBC Cup in 2015.
Under Spiller’s tutelage, the Terriers have graduated a number of players to both NCAA and CIS hockey programs.
Captain Ty Barnstable was named to the second All Star Team
No surprise to Coach and GM Blake Spiller, “Barnstable deserved his all star choice. His leadership has been very important for our young guys.”
The Terriers make up four of six spots on the Rookie All Star Team.
Nathan Moore – Goal
Owen Murray – Defence
Jay Buchholz – Forward
Reece Henry – Forward
Click here for all named recipients and all star choices.
https://www.mjhlhockey.ca/mjhl-announces-award-winners-and-all-star-team-selections-5