LONDON, UK – A panel of coaches, captains and senior players across the ENL cast their votes last week to compile the first ever Pro Hockey News English National League South annual awards and ‘All-Star’ nominations.
After an exciting year of hockey in the ENL South, the categories for the awards include Player of the Year, Coach of the Year and two ‘All-Star lines’ with the coaches voted in second and third place on their respective benches.
ENL South Player of the Year 2010/11 – Andy Smith
Photo by Tim Bowers
Despite his side missing out on the league title, Smith was a popular choice amongst his peers to be named Player of the Year. This season was Smith’s seventh consecutive campaign with the Kent club and saw him become the Dynamos all-time top points’ scorer despite being in his mid-twenties still.
The standard of play in the ENL rises every year yet Smith has once again managed to up his game and stand out above the rest.
His quick yet smooth skating style combined with an undoubted high level of skill with the puck on his stick and a calm temperament make Smith a standout player in the ENL South and well deserved of the Player of the Year award 2010/11.
ENL South Coach of the Year 2010/11 –
Jeremy Cornish
Photo by David Trevallion
The Wightlink Raiders player-coach celebrated his second season in charge of the Raiders by bringing home some silverware to Ryde Arena.
The Raiders Cup was the first trophy to arrive mid-season after a two legged win over Romford, however this paled into insignificance as Cornish led his side to their first league title in over a decade. The Raiders are within shout of an incredible Grand Slam if they can bypass Chelmsford in the play-off final.
Wightlink finished in a disappointing mid-table position in 2009/10 however Cornish kept the foundations and added more speed and quality to his side to give the hockey fans on the island something to smile about after a number of disappointing years.
A unanimous choice for this award in the eyes of his peers, Cornish has been recognised for his achievements by being named ENL South Coach of the Year 2010/11.
All-Star First Line:
Goalie – Matt Colclough
The former Guildford Junior has shone in his second full season with the Raiders. Aside from being highly rated by his peers, Colclough finished top of the goalie rankings with an impressive 92.98% save average
Defence – Dominic Hopkins
A rock on the Wightlink blueline, Hopkins has enjoyed a great season with the Raiders following a play-off winning campaign with the Bracknell Hornets in 2009/10. Not only solid as a defenseman, Hopkins has also proven deadly from the point with 19 goals.
Defence – Julian Smith
Smith has been a virtual ever present for Romford this season after dropping down from the English Premier League with Peterborough Phantoms. A former GB Junior international, 24 year old Smith has impressed with his solid effective displays on the Raiders blue line.
Forward – Juraj Huska
Huska has made an impressive return to the UK having previously played for Telford Tigers in 2006/07. The Slovakian sniper has hit an incredible 56 goals in only 29 regular season games for the Raiders this season and played a large part in a number of Romford victories over the campaign.
Forward – Andy Smith
Invicta legend Smith has had another fantastic year for the Dynamos in his seventh season with the club. 47 goals in 36 games over the regular season saw Smith passing Elliott Andrews as Invicta’s all-time top scorer. Smith remains the best player on the Dynamos roster and one of the most dangerous forwards in the league.
Forward – Danny Marshall
Marshall is another club legend and a player still turning on the style after a number of consistently good seasons. Marshall has combined his roles as player-coach to good effect, and whilst his side have ended with no silverware, he finished as league top scorer with 35 goals and 66 assists.
Bench Coach – Barry Spours
Streatham Redskins coach Barry Spours has again defied the odds with another good season on the Redskins bench. Despite a mid-table finish, the Redskins were the best of the low budget sides competing in the league this year and also managed to take points from Romford, Invicta and Chelmsford along the way.
All-Star Second Line:
Goalie – David Wride
Bracknell Hornets stopper David Wride had yet another impressive season between the posts at the Hive. The former Haringey and Milton Keynes goalie often proved to be a game winner throughout the season in close matches, and was arguably the main reason the Hornets stayed in play-off qualification contention for so long.
Defence – Damon Larter
Wightlink skipper Larter played a pivotal part in the Raiders title winning side and mean defensive unit. Larter has been a Raider virtually every season since 2002 and has good hands and positional sense making him extremely useful on special teams. Larter could lift his third trophy of the season if Wightlink can overcome Chelmsford in the play-off final.
Defence – Danny Wright
Wright captained his Chelmsford side to a second place position in the regular season. A player who quietly gets on with his job on the Chieftains blue line, the ‘Mayor’ of Chelmsford still has the chance to lift some silverware this season as his side still have to play the play-off final against Wightlink.
Forward – Ross Bowers
A speedy winger for the Milton Keynes Thunder, former EPL star Bowers was a standout scorer for the Thunder and a big reason why they managed to qualify for the play-offs. The 25 year old hit 37 goals in 30 games to underline his pedigree and the Thunder will be delighted he opted to drop a league for the 2010/11 season.
Forward – Danny Hammond
21 year old Hammond played a pivotal part in the Chieftains second place finish with 39 goals and 36 assists in 38 games. It was Hammonds third consecutive goal filled season for his local team and proved what a key player he is for the side despite his tender years.
Forward – Robbie Brown
The former Solway and Belfast forward Brown proved a big hit on the island as he played every game of the regular season, hitting 36 goals in the process. His reward was a call up to Basingstoke on a two way deal with the EPL side and he managed to score in one of his three appearances with them.
Bench Coach – Dean Birrell
The highly rated Scot iced another disciplined organised outfit out of the Riverside. Chelmsford finished in second place in the league however Birrell has also managed to take his side to the play-off final. Birrell recently announced that he will move up to a position as Director of Coaching with the club for 2011/12.
All votes were made in confidence and were counted by an independent source. Votes were taken from representatives of a broad spectrum of clubs across the league and voters were not able to vote for representatives from their own club. No votes were cast by any writers or editors of Pro Hockey News including the author of this piece.
Contact the author: david.carr@prohockeynews.com
You must be logged in to post a comment.