(Image permission: David Strover)
ENGLAND, UK – The 2018/19 National Ice Hockey League North end of season awards for Laidler D2 can now be revealed after a panel of coaching staff and senior players cast their votes.
Pro Hockey News have run this year’s awards on behalf of the English Ice Hockey Association and they offer the ultimate accolade of recognition to the winners from their peers.
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 teams, the first line contains the players who received the most votes for their positions, with the second line following. The Player of the Year award will be announced at the play-off weekend in Widnes.
Read on as we reveal the winners:
NIHL North Laidler D2 Coach of the Year 2018/19
(Image permission: Baz Barwell)
Andy Brown – Bradford Bulldogs
Bradford Bulldogs have progressed from being the whipping boys in D2 into a team capable of giving the top sides a real run for their money.
Brown has guided the Bulldogs up to fourth in the table this term and it would be foolish to write them off in the play-offs.
The Bulldogs have a nice blend of youth and experience and their future looks bright with Brown at the helm.
NIHL North Laidler D2 All-Star Team 2018/19
Line 1
Zack Brown – Telford Tigers 2
(Image permission: Steve Brodie)
Brown has been hugely impressive between the pipes for Telford, recording a 91.52 save percentage in 31 league games.
The 22-year-old backstopped the Tigers to three wins out of four against Widnes Wild, making him the only goalie to bag a winning record against the champions.
A slow start to the season ultimately cost Telford the title, but with Brown in their line-up they will be a force to be reckoned with at the play-offs.
Oliver Lord – Coventry Blaze NIHL
(Image permission: Rob Hutchinson)
The young ‘D’ man signed on a two-way deal with Coventry’s Elite League side last summer and he was called up a couple of times during the campaign.
Lord bagged eight goals and 12 assists in 20 appearances for Blaze’s D2 team and also gained experience in NIHL1 South with MK Thunder.
He has improved massively over the past couple of seasons and could well be picked up permanently by a club higher up the scale next term.
Simon Offord – Widnes Wild
(Image permission: Rob Hutchinson)
Now in his third season on Wild’s blueline, Offord has been an integral part of the club’s success this term.
Five goals and 25 assists in 32 league games is an excellent return, while just 14 penalty minutes highlights that the 33-year-old plays the game hard but fair.
Offord has led by example as captain over the past two seasons and his inclusion in the All-Star team is well-deserved.
Richard Haggar – Hull Jets
(Image permission: Fiona Haggar)
Haggar hasn’t been quite as prolific for Hull this term, yet still finished the campaign amongst the top ten points scorers in the division.
The forward has bagged 30 goals with 38 assists in 25 league games, meaning he has now tallied over 260 points during the past three seasons.
The 28-year-old ended the season in excellent form and will be a huge threat to the other teams at the play-offs.
Ollie Barron – Widnes Wild
(Image permission: Rob Hutchinson)
Wild’s player/coach delivered the success Widnes fans craved by guiding Wild to the title at the third time of asking.
The former Sheffield Spartans forward led from the front on the ice, scoring 77 points in 32 league matches last season.
He has now notched over 200 points during his time with Wild and he will be sorely missed if or when he decides to move on.
Callum Bowley – Telford Tigers 2
(Image permission: Steve Brodie)
Bowley led Telford to a fourth-place finish in 2017/18 and his 79 points tally this time around helped them clinch the runners-up spot.
The 25-year-old has notched over 180 points during the past two seasons and is undoubtedly a player who could be playing at a higher level.
The Tigers suffered heartbreak in last season’s play-off semi-finals – don’t be surprised if Bowley leads them into this year’s final.
Line 2
Philip Pearson (Bradford), Dean Boothroyd (Bradford), Ross Jordan (Widnes), Jakub Pavlicek (Altrincham Aces), Jakub Hajek (Widnes), Tom Humphries (Sheffield Senators).
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