Tigers’ high-scoring forward Peter Szabo has been named English Premier League Player of the Year by Ice Hockey Journalists UK.
The 34-year-old, who has bagged 40 goals and 63 assists in 55 games this season, will receive his award at Saturday’s play-off game against Sheffield Steelsdogs.
He was named Player of the Year after a lengthy voting process, carried out by journalists who cover the game in the United Kingdom.
Szabo confessed to being “honoured” at the news, but is determined to share the award with his double-winning team-mates.
He said: “I heard it from the coach, Tom Watkins, before the game against Guildford and it is a huge thing to win. I am really honoured to be named Player of the Year, but like I said a few weeks ago, it is not just down to myself.
“I’m surrounded by some very good players and it is fortunate that my line has clicked all year long. I have got to thank all the players and the coaching staff. I couldn’t have done this without them.”
Mike Appleton, from Ice Hockey Journalists UK, said: “Peter has been a great player all through the season and really deserves this award. He is the highest points-scoring player in the league, which shows how much quality he has.
“The voting process was very tight, as always, but everyone connected with IHJUK believes we have made the right decision.”
And in more good news for The Tigers, virtually the entire EPL all-star squad is made up of players from this season’s squad.
The line-up is:
Tom Murdy (Telford Tigers); Jonathan Weaver (Telford Tigers), Sam Zajac (Telford Tigers); Peter Szabo (Telford Tigers), Jason Silverthorn (Telford Tigers), Aaron Nell (Swindon Wildcats)
Tigers players Thomas Murdy and Jonathan Weaver, meanwhile, will be jetting off to Holland with the Great Britain squad next month.
The pair have been named in coach Peter Russell’s final 23-man squad for the tournament, which starts in Eindhoven on April 13th.
Tigers Head Coach Tom Watkins will also travel with the squad as Assistant Coach.
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