Despite the hockey season being over for the Amherstburg Admirals, last week was a very busy one both on and off the ice.
The local Provincial Junior Hockey League club held its spring evaluation camp at the Libro Centre, and Sunday at Shooter’s Roadhouse had its annual wrap up banquet.
“It was a very trying season, as we all know, but we are pushing it in the right direction,” said club co-owner Greg Crain.
The Admirals finished sixth in the eight team West Stobbs Division, compiling a 10-32-0 regular season record before bowing out in the first round of the playoffs to the Blenheim Blades in five games.
General manager Andrew Sykes knows what it will take to move up in the standings come the fall.
“We want to be stronger from the crease out. We want to zone in on our goalies and defense,” said Sykes at Sunday’s banquet.
Sykes said that at the evaluation camp, goalie coach Matt Anthony put 17 netminders through their paces, and forwards and blueliners looked promising.
“There were a lot of players that are legitimate prospects,” noted Sykes.
Amherstburg officially said good-bye to its four overagers – defensemen Derek Berdusco and Jaxon Boucher and forwards Jacob Archer and Mitch Demelo.
Archer was named the Most Valuable Player for the year as he led the team in points with 35 and penalty minutes, 120.
Other award winners on the night were: Volunteer of the Year – Marissa Gaudet; Community Service Award – Dallas Kelly and Finnigan Russett; Most Improved – Ryan Dufour; Most Dedicated – Al Djordjevic; Rookie-of-the-Year – Jake Goudreault; Best Defenseman – Jadyn Brown; Coaches Award – Travis Knight.
As far as the future goes and what next year will bring, Crain said, “keep working hard. You’re going to get there.”
Sykes reported that the bench staff led by head coach Beau Hunter and assistant coaches Zack Gervais and Zach Guilbeault are returning for another year.
“You guys have a great future as coaches and we look forward to your second season,” said Sykes.
Admirals wrap up with annual awards night
By Fred Groves
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