This week the Kootenay International Junior Hockey League will announce its overall award winners in seven categories – Most Valuable Player, Top Scorer, Top Defenceman, Top Goaltender, Rookie of the Year, Most Sportsmanlike Player and Coach of the Year.
Next is the Most Sportsmanlike Player – Tyson Horiachka from the Princeton Posse.
Horiachka is highly effective playing a two-way game, earning a plus-28 rating, and possessing the ability to win puck battles without taking many penalties – he spent 16 minutes in the box – playing an average of 16:58. He finished third on the Posse with 45 points in 41 games.
Posse head coach-general manager Mark Readman says that Horiachka had a phenomenal year as a second-year player in their organization.
“He was a driving force for our team on a consistent basis,” says Readman. “He plays a hard, disciplined style and doesn’t leave much room for error. If he is taking a penalty or two, it’s one of those that needs to be taken at that point.”
Readman added that Horiachka is extremely efficient on the forecheck, always keeping his feet moving, and spends time in extremely hard areas.
“He is never the guy going out of his way to get the extra shots in,” says Readman. “He is always drawing guys in and forcing teams to take penalties. He is extremely disciplined in his approach. For him to receive this recognition from the league is really good.”
Runner-ups: Tyson Tokarz – Creston Valley Thunder Cats (Eddie Mountain Division), Kane Kennedy – Nelson Leafs (Neil Murdoch Division), Jalen Davidson – Chase Heat (Doug Birks Division).
