LONDON, UK – The Annual Pro Hockey News NIHL South end of season awards have been announced for 2015/16 and the sports betting world is waiting. These awards are voted upon by coaching staff and senior players from clubs across the league.
Now in their sixth year, you can see last year’s award winners by clicking HERE
Those voting are not allowed to vote for any player from their own club and Pro Hockey News staff are not able to vote. This means these awards are therefore the ultimate in peer to peer recognition.
Photo by Lucy McGill
National Ice Hockey League South Player of the Year 2015/16
Jamie Line – Milton Keynes Thunder
A real talisman for the Thunder throughout the campaign, the ever present 26 year old was in prolific form again this season with 28 goals and 36 assists in 36 games. The Thunder Captain terrorised defences with his speed and tenacity week in, week out and was a match winner on many occasions for a team that finished in seventh place. The former EPL star showed an impressive temperament throughout and deserves his honour as the 2015/16 NIHL South Player of the Season.
National Ice Hockey League South Coach of the Year 2015/16
Simon Anderson – Oxford City Stars
The 45 year old Swindon native beat off competition from Chelmsford’s trophy laden Sean Easton and Solent’s Alex Murray to be voted coach of the year for the first time. Anderson joined a struggling Oxford side last season and led them to safety in the final weeks of the 2014/15 campaign. Despite early recruitment setbacks early this season, Anderson has moulded a strong squad at Oxpens Road who unexpectedly finished 4th in the league and surpassed all expectations.
National Ice Hockey League South All-Star team 2015/16
Goalie:
Photo by Rick Webb
Damien King – Invicta Dynamos
The 24 year old hit the headlines early in the season with a controversial move to Invicta Dynamos from MK Thunder but brushed that aside to backstop the Kent side to a second place finish. The Mo’s were often outshot but King’s quality shone through and he wins the starting spot on the All-Star team for the second year running. A 92.7% save average and five shut outs tell his statistical story of the campaign.
Defence:
Ondrej Zosiak – Invicta Dynamos
On an inexperienced Invicta blueline, Zosiak’s assured and composed performances were a breath of fresh air for Coach Kevin Parrish, who struck gold with the 25 year old Slovakian.
Strong on the puck and not afraid to get his nose dirty in the corners, Zosiak also proved a threat from the blueline too with a few big goals. An ever present for the team and a favourite with the fans he was a popular choice of his peers.
Lukas Zatopek – Chelmsford Chieftains
Back for his second year with Chelmsford and also on the All-Star team, the veteran 6’ 3” Czech was again a rock at the back for the Essex side. Rarely in the limelight or courting controversy, the former EPL star is exactly the type of player that wins championships with solid no nonsense defending.
Zatopek started his senior career in his native Harivov before joining top flight side Vitkovice in Czech.
Forwards:
Juraj Huska – Chelmsford Chieftains
Yet another appearance in the league all-star team for the Slovakian goal machine who was in sublime form once again this year.
A regular thorn in Chelmsford’s side when he played for Romford and Invicta, Huska was the missing piece in the jigsaw for the Chieftains this season providing much a needed cutting edge. 39 goals in 33 games tells its own story for the league’s top goal scorer.
Jamie Line – Milton Keynes Thunder
The 26 year old used his speed and guile to fire home 28 goals in 36 appearances for the Thunder. The Luton born centre dropped down to the NIHL last year from the EPL and hasn’t looked back.
Forming a partnership with Ross Bowers on the Thunder first line, Line was a constant threat to NIHL defences and allegedly attracted the attentions of higher placed Invicta Dynamos at one stage.
Jaroslav Cesky – Wightlink Raiders
Despite spending weeks playing games on the road whilst the Ryde Arena was fixed, Cesky once again racked up the points showing his class throughout.
The veteran Czech is a superb two way player and anchors the Raiders powerplay. Cesky notched 22 goals and 44 assists across the campaign, and was a key figure for the second season running in the Raiders team.
Second line:
Goalie
Euan King – Chelmsford Chieftains
The 26 year old has enjoyed almost constant success since his move to the Riverside. He finished top of the league standings with a 93.7% save average.
Defence:
Nick Compton – Wightlink Raiders
Coach Jeremy Cornish placed his faith in Compton and made him Captain. This didn’t phase the composed blue liner and he was a key player throughout the campaign.
Julian Smith – Chelmsford Chieftains
The former GB junior international was once again a rock at the back of the Chieftains defence. As Captain, the 29 year old was once again lifting trophies again this season.
Forwards:
Alan Green – Oxford City Stars
Averaging just under a goal a game for the Stars, Green’s 30 goals were a big reason Oxford managed to secure a fourth place finish. The 31 year old is a real local hero at Oxpens Rd.
Eriks Ozollapa – Invicta Dynamos
The 28 year old Latvian started the season on fire and finished second behind Huska in the goalscoring charts with 37 goals in 33 appearances. Full of hustle and bustle.
Matt Turner- Chelmsford Chieftains
The Romford born forward was made Alternate Captain by Coach Sean Easton and once again put in consistently classy displays. The 27 year old scored 27 goals in 36 games.
Contact the author: david.carr@prohockeynews.com
Photos by Lucy McGill, Steve Sutherland, Rick Webb and David Trevallion.
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