LONDON, UK – The 2019/20 National Ice Hockey League Britton Conference all-star team can now be revealed after a panel of coaching staff and senior players from across every team in the league cast their votes.
The Pro Hockey News awards are now in their 10th year and have been unique in British hockey as they offer the ultimate accolade of respect from peers.
Please note that the player of the season and shortlist will be announced in conjunction with the EIHA in their official awards in a separate statement.
The rules are simple. No votes can be cast for a member of their own team and there are no restrictions on non-UK trained players. Additionally no representatives from Pro Hockey News are eligible to cast a vote making the process truly independent.
In the All-Star team the first line contains the players who received the most votes for their positions, with the second line following. Last year’s winners can be viewed here.
NIHL Britton Conference Coach of the Year 2019/20
Adam Carr (Streatham IHC)
The rookie coach delivered two trophies to Streatham ending a 38 year wait for silverware. The 35 year old recruited strongly and raised expectations before a puck had been dropped. The team delivered with only one loss over the whole season and most of his squad members had career best points totals by the end of the campaign. Carr wins the award ahead of close contender Alex Murray who surpassed all expectations on the South Coast with an impressive second place finish for his Solent Devils side.
NIHL Britton Conference All-Star team 2019/20
Line 1:
Netminder: Chico Cole – Solent Devils
No stranger to the league all-star team, Cole had arguably his best season yet between the pipes backstopping the Devils to their second placed finish. A true matchwinner for his team, Cole was a popular choice among his peers.
Defence: Michael Farn – Streatham IHC
The Streatham Captain makes his third consecutive appearance on the league all-star team after another dominant display on the blue line. The 31 year old was the top scoring defenseman in the league with 13 goals and 46 assists to his name.
Defence: Rupe Quiney – Streatham IHC
A big physical presence at both ends of the ice, Quiney continued to defy the injuries that stalled the early parts of his career with a number of eye catching displays for the league champions. Streatham conceded the fewest goals in the league by some margin.
Forward: Vanya Antonov – Streatham IHC
The marquee signing of the summer justified the hype with a sensational season. Despite missing the last month of the campaign he still led the league scoring up until the final fortnight and was often described as “being worth the entrance fee alone” by some fans thanks to his skills.
Forward: Richard Facey – Solent Devils
After scoring 100 points in the tier below the season prior, Facey stepped up and showed his pedigree again. The 30 year old rolled back the years as he spearheaded the Devils impressive campaign and finished the season as league top scorer.
Forward: Adam Carr – Streatham IHC
A final swansong for the former MK Lightning player delivered a career best points tally and an impressive end to a long career. The Streatham player coach oozed class on the special teams and proved an inspiration to team mates, throughout the campaign.
Line 2:
Netminder: Damien King – Streatham IHC
In some games a spectator thanks to a dominant defence in front of him, King was there when needed and proved again how valuable he is between the pipes, picking up two trophies along the way.
Defence: Andy Munroe – Chelmsford Chieftains
The veteran blueliner showed his class for the Essex side, helping them to a third placed finish in the league. The former Billingham and Peterborough defenseman racked up the minutes for Joe Wilson’s side and proved his worth.
Defence: Alex Whyte – Milton Keynes Thunder
Despite playing for the bottom placed team, the Thunder Captain did what all good captains do and stuck to the task during difficult times. Whyte incredibly managed to bag 10 goals from the blueline and was a shining light for the team.
Forward: James Ayling – Chelmsford Chieftains
The classy forward ended in the top 5 league scorers thanks to some match winning displays across the season. The 27 year old has long been one of the Chieftains top players but came into his own again this year.
Image: David Trevallion
Forward: Tomas Banovsky – Invicta Dynamos
A late signing by coach Anthony Leone just before Christmas, Banovsky was just what the doctor ordered for the Kent side amid a slump in form. 20 goals in 17 games helped propel the Mo’s back up the standings.
Forward: Sam Talbot – Slough Jets
A real success story in the first half of the season, Talbot looked like the real deal for the Jets despite his tender years. A fact not lost on the Basingstoke Bison who promptly made his two way deal one way in the latter stages of the season.
Contact the author davidcarr_2@hotmail.com
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