(Image permission: David Strover)
ENGLAND, UK – The 2018/19 National Ice Hockey League North end of season awards for Moralee D1 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 Final Four Weekend in Coventry.
Read on as we reveal the winners:
NIHL North Moralee D1 Coach of the Year 2018/19
(Image permission: Karl Denham)
Martin Grubb – Solway Sharks
Solway have been the team who have pushed the former EPL clubs the most over the past two seasons, twice securing fourth place in D1.
The Sharks won 21 of their 24 matches against the original NIHL sides this term, highlighting the excellent job Grubb has done against his usual foes.
They were also the only side outside of the top three to defeat league champions Hull Pirates during the regular season, bagging a 3-2 success in Dumfries back in November.
NIHL North Moralee D1 All-Star Team 2018/19
Line 1
(Image permission: Duncan Speirs)
Dmitri Zimozdra – Sheffield Steeldogs
Zimozdra was an overwhelming choice as the top netminder after backstopping the Steeldogs to success in the Northern Cup and runners-up in both the league and Autumn Cup.
The 30-year-old picked up four shut-outs in the league on the way to recording a 91.99% save percentage.
He was impressive in both legs of the Steeldogs’ recent play-off victory over Telford Tigers and is sure to be tough to beat at the Final Four Weekend.
(Image permission: Duncan Speirs)
Ben Morgan – Sheffield Steeldogs
Morgan has been a class act both on and off the ice during the Steeldogs’ time in the NIHL and his inclusion in the All-Star team is thoroughly deserved.
The ‘D’ man bagged 47 points in 35 league games for Sheffield, while his 35 penalty minutes total highlights his desire to play the game the right way.
Morgan was also a popular pick in the coach category, but it was his on-ice performances that gained him the most recognition from the voting panel.
(Image permission: Steve Brodie)
Jonathan Weaver – Telford Tigers
Telford came up short in the trophy stakes this season, but it wasn’t for the want of trying by veteran blueliner Weaver.
The 42-year-old was the top points scorer amongst defensemen, scoring 13 goals with 47 assists in 28 league games.
Weaver remains an important part of the Tigers’ set-up and his talent appears to be showing no sign of waning just yet.
(Image permission: IceHockeyMedia)
Ben Campbell – Whitley Warriors
Campbell’s 50 goals helped the Warriors finish fifth in the league – without him they would probably have struggled to be in the top eight.
He scored over double the points of any other forward on Whitley’s roster, with ‘D’ man Sam Zajac’s 45-point tally the nearest anyone got to Campbell.
The 31-year-old returned to the North East in 2018 after eight seasons away, but it is highly likely that teams in the new national division will come calling this summer.
(Image permission: Lois Tomlinson)
Jason Hewitt – Hull Pirates
Hewitt was comfortably the highest points scorer in D1, scoring 65 goals with 68 assists in 35 league matches to lead the Pirates to top spot.
Teammate Bobby Chamberlain was the only other player to break the 100-point barrier this season, highlighting Hewitt’s influence on Hull’s fortunes.
The Pirates have already scooped the league and regional play-off titles this term and Hewitt will be the key to whether they manage to add another at Coventry.
(Image permission: Duncan Speirs)
Ashley Calvert – Sheffield Steeldogs
Calvert bagged 46 goals in 34 league games to finish as the fifth highest scorer in D1 and top of Sheffield’s points charts ahead of teammate Milan Kolena.
The 27-year-old has improved massively over the past couple of seasons, thriving with the extra responsibility handed to him by Morgan.
Calvert still plays with an edge, but he has adapted his game to become a hugely important part of the Steeldogs’ team.
Line 2
Sam Gospel (Telford), Sam Zajac (Whitley), Kevin Phillips (Hull), Peter Gapa (Solway), Lee Bonner (Hull), Stanlislav Lascek (Sutton Sting).
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