LONDON, UK – The 2018/19 National Ice Hockey League Britton Conference end of season awards 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 9th year and have been unique in British hockey as they offer the ultimate accolade of respect from peers. They are also now recognised as the official end of season awards by the EIHA and as such, the Player of the Season will not be revealed until the Coventry weekend, where a presentation will take place.
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.
So without further ado, here are the winners:
NIHL Britton Conference Coach of the Year 2018/19
Ashley Tait (Basingstoke Bison)
The former GB international was thrown in at the deep end in his first full time coaching role and put together a team that blossomed as the season went on. The 43 year old moulded his well-organised and pleasing to watch side to third place in the league and a Cup final. Silverware may have evaded the Bison, but after a summer of uncertainty their fans were certainly delighted with Tait’s efforts and rightly so. Tait was a popular choice for this award ahead of Phantoms supremo Slava Koulikov.
NIHL Britton Conference All-Star team 2018/19
Line 1:
Netminder: Jordan Lawday (MK Thunder)
The Thunder netminder makes the all-star team for the second consecutive year after a number of match winning performances between the pipes. On a two way contract with the Elite League Cardiff Devils, the 20 year old has turned heads yet again this year and was a popular choice for his spot.
Photo by Kat Medcroft
Defence: Sam Jones (Swindon Wildcats)
The 21 year old enjoyed a stand out season on the blue line for the league champions and was a runaway leader in votes for the blue line. An impressive 15 goals made Jones a threat from defence and highlighted his importance to the team.
Defence: Michael Farn – Streatham IHC
An all-star for the second season in a row, Farn continues to be a popular choice for a spot on the blue line by his peers. The 30 year old scored less this season from the blue line in South London, but continued to be a stand out competitor and influential figure for the RedHawks.
Forward: Russ Cowley – Basingstoke Bison
For many players a jersey retirement and step down the league ladder can have a negative impact on motivation levels, however Cowley embraced the new challenge in Basingstoke. Few in the league can match the pedigree of the 35 year old, but his performances backed up the CV.
Photo by Rick Webb
Forward: Alex Roberts – Streatham IHC
When the 24 year old was announced as signing for the Londoners, it’s fair to say Roberts was an unknown quantity on paper. A year out of the game in 2017/18 didn’t show, and the big Canadian fired home an impressive 32 goals and 27 assists putting himself firmly on the radar as one of the finds of the season.
Forward: Max Birbraer – Swindon Wildcats
The experienced forward led the league in scoring with 12 goals and 55 assists and stepped up a gear to help the Cats win their first league title in decades. His value to the team was highlighted even more so when Coach Aaron Nell signed an additional import and Birbraer kept his place.
Line 2:
Netminder: Renny Marr – Swindon Wildcats
The 21 year old Scot shone across the whole campaign as he backstopped his team to a league title. The former GB junior international from Kirkcaldy put in the performances his reputation warranted and edged out third placed Alex Mettam of the Bison for this spot.
Defence: Ed Knaggs – Bracknell Bees
The highly rated youngster was tipped for an Elite League spot last summer but played a full season as a top end blue liner for the Bees instead. An almost ever present on defence, Knaggs did his future prospects no harm at all with some excellent displays on the blue.
Defence: Adam Jones – Basingstoke Bison
The well-travelled 23 year old has bounced around a number of clubs in recent years but really shone in his first season in Hampshire. Strong, composed and mature beyond his years, Bison fans will be hoping Jones sticks around for another season at least.
Forward: Glenn Billing – Peterborough Phantoms
The speedy forward racked up the points again in his second season with the double Cup winning Phantoms. The 21 year old was a constant threat for a Phantoms team and posted his highest senior totals with 17 goals and 40 assists.
Photo John Scott
Forward: Jake Sylvester – Raiders
A player who gets better every season, Sylvester was a standout for the Raiders with clinical finishing and a superb work rate key traits to his game. Still only 21 years old, Sylvester led the league scoring at one point and ended with 28 goals and 18 assists.
Forward: Chris Jones – Swindon Wildcats
The 28 year old enjoyed a personal best season with 23 goals and 36 assists in the league helping his team to a league title. The former Cardiff Devils player was a consistent performer in the team scoring the big goals when required for Aaron Nell’s team.
Summary of All-Star line-ups:
Line 1 – Most votes: Jordan Lawday (MK), Sam Jones (SWI), Michael Farn (STR), Max Birbraer (SWI), Russ Cowley (BAS), Alex Roberts (STR)
Line 2: Renny Marr (SWI), Adam Jones (BAS), Ed Knaggs (BRA), Glenn Billing (PET), Chris Jones (SWI), Jake Sylvester (RAI)
Contact the author: carrsy2@gmail.com
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