DURHAM, UK – Voting has concluded in the Pro Hockey News NIHL North Division 1 Awards and the shortlists for each category have now been finalised. This is the 3rd year of the awards and a new category has been added this season with the introduction of the Fans Favourite Award in which supporters of all NIHL North clubs voted for their favourite player that plays in Division 1.
The Player of the Year category saw 8 players receive votes with a number of players from the league winning Blackburn Hawks nominated. Adam and Luke Brittle both received a high number of votes and were shortlisted as did Solway Sharks sharp shooter Richard Bentham who moved to the Scottish borders last summer after previously icing in the English Premier League for the Manchester Phoenix.
In the Coach of the Year award every single coach in the division received votes demonstrating just how high the standard of coaching is currently in the NIHL North set up. Jared Owen of Blackburn was shortlisted for the award as he steered his sides through the entire league campaign unbeaten. Matt Darlow of the Sutton Sting and Martin White from the Sheffield Spartans organisation were also shortlisted for their efforts in lifting their sides to challenge for the end of season championship play offs.
In the newly introduced Fans Favourite Award over 30 players picked up nominations from supporters who follow hockey in NIHL North. Fans could vote for any player who had iced in the 2014/15 season on counting the votes the 3 players who received the most votes in this section of the awards were Blackburn Hawks skipper and talisman Chris Arnone, Billingham Stars skilful forward Michael Elder and the versatile Struan Tonnar of the Solway Sharks. Other players who picked up several votes in this category were the likes of Callum Davies, James Flavell and Mark Watson (Billingham Stars), Luke and Adam Brittle (Blackburn Hawks) and Ross Murray (Solway Sharks)
The Young Player of the Year is the final category in the awards with around a dozen of the leagues promising youngsters receiving votes. Callum Queenan of Whitley was a popular choice for his energetic displays for the Warriors as were his teammate at Hillheads Ben Richards and the Solway Sharks youngster Duncan Speirs.
Player of the Year
Richard Bentham (Solway Sharks)
Adam Brittle (Blackburn Hawks)
Luke Brittle (Blackburn Hawks)
Coach of the Year
Matt Darlow (Sutton Sting)
Jared Owen (Blackburn Hawks)
Martin White (Sheffield Spartans)
Fans Favourite
Chris Arnone (Blackburn Hawks)
Michael Elder (Billingham Stars)
Struan Tonnar (Solway Sharks)
Young Player of the Year
Callum Queenan (Whitley Warriors)
Ben Richards (Whitley Warriors)
Duncan Speirs (Solway Sharks)
The winners of each award shall be revealed on the opening day of the play off weekend at Dumfries Ice Bowl on Saturday April 11th (following the 2nd semi final). The awards will be presented in the bar/cafe that overlooks the ice by EIHA official Charles Dacres.
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