NEWCASTLE, UK – The Newcastle Vipers end of season awards were announced this week and net minder Charlie Effinger and Polish forward Jaro Rzeszutko were both rewarded for their efforts over the campaign as both imports picked up a number of accolades.
Vipers Charlie Effinger
Effinger was selected by the Vipers fans as the most improved player and the American goaltender also picked up the 2 most prestigious awards on the night as he was chosen as the players player of the season and the coach’s player of the season. A save percentage of 87% and a goals per games average of almost 5 does not reflect well on the Vipers net minder however Effinger faced a huge number of shots over the course of the campaign and he often kept Newcastle in games with his unorthodox style and desire to compete night after night.
Forward Jaro Rzeszutko
Rzeszutko ended the campaign as the Vipers top points scorer even though the forward missed around 10 games though injury. Rzeszutko, Toms Hartmanis and Mike Prpich developed a great chemistry on Newcastle’s top forward line and it was the Pole who was the main offensive threat on the Vipers principle forward unit. Jaro was deservedly selected as the best overseas player as well as the best forward.
Defenceman Sam Zajac was selected as the best British player on the Newcastle roster beating off competition from far more experienced players such as GB international Paul Sample and Dean Holland. Zajac enjoyed a superb debut season in the Elite League as the diminutive d man went onto establish himself as one of the clubs top blue liners which is a great achievement considering he joined the club as the 6th defenceman last summer.
British blue liner Sam Zajac
Player/Coach Danny Stewart picked up the most valuable player award for his sterling efforts at both ends of the ice over the course of the season while import John Schwarz was selected as the Vipers top blue liner. Schwarz no nonsense approach led to the big d man picking up many penalty minutes however he also became a firm fan favourite over the course of what could be the Newcastle Vipers last ever season in top flight hockey.
Contact the author – chris.mackenzie@prohockeynews.com
Images courtesy of Paul Lynch Photography
