The Cold Lake Jr. B Ice officially brought its 2013/14 season to end this past weekend as the organization hosted its annual banquet ceremony at Riverhurst Hall.
After recording a best ever regular season record of 32-2-1, the Ice went on to secure a fourth straight NEAJBHL championship, besting the Wainwright Bisons for the second straight year in six games. Although the team bowed out of the provincial championships in Grande Prairie after round robin play, head coach and GM Neil Langridge reiterated it was definitely a season to remember at the annual celebration.
“It's been another amazing season for the Cold Lake Ice – winning a fourth consecutive NEAJBHL championship and representing (the region) at the provincial championships, and I'm very happy to be able to say I was a part of it,” Langridge said.
After claiming an incredible six awards at last season's ceremony, this year's team captain Dallas Ansell took home two awards, including Most Valuable Player, while forward Christian Nypower took home the top scorer award after notching 86 points in just 31 league games this season.
Newcomer Michael Harbich was awarded the playoff MVP title after an incredible post-season performance saw him put up 24 points in 15 games, while starting goaltender David Rupp was named this season's Rookie of the Year.
Longtime net minder with the organization Brandyn Garth, who enjoyed a flawless 17-0-0 regular season record this year, was presented with the unsung hero award in what was his final night with the organization, as he, along with Ansell, prepare to hang up their Jr. B jerseys for good.
Speaking to the Nouvelle following the awards ceremony, the pair reflected on what they described as an “incredible few years” playing for the Cold Lake Ice.
“It's really been a privilege to play for these guys for the past few years, it means so much to me to have been able to be a part of and represent such a successful organization, and play alongside guys like Dallas Ansell every week – it's just a phenomenal team to be a part of and I couldn't have asked for anything better,” Garth said. “The things we've been through, people I've met – this has just been a phenomenal part of my life, and it's one that I will remember forever.”
“It's been a blast playing three seasons with the Ice – during the awards ceremony (coach Neil Langridge) pointed out that I'm a guy that really enjoys winning and throughout my time here this team has had a real winning atmosphere, so it's just been really special for me to be part of such a successful organization,” Ansell said.
With their junior careers behind them, both men said they have big plans for the future. Garth is preparing to attend SAIT in Calgary for power engineering, while Ansell will be returning to Edmonton in the fall for his second year of kinesiology at the University of Alberta.
Langridge paid homage to his two retiring players, stating unequivocally that it would be “next to impossible” to replace the character, quality and presence of both Garth and Ansell.
“I'm incredibly proud of the way these two individuals have represented the Cold Lake Ice over the past few years – they've both spent so much time with us, and just like I wasn't able to replace the likes of Matt Laboucane, Niko Bourget and Dustin Hyde last year, I won't be able to replace Dallas Ansell and I won't be able to replace the character of Brandyn Garth,” Langridge said.
With the Ice set to host the 2015 Keystone Cup, Langridge said he was looking forward to a busy summer of planning and recruiting as he looks to build a side capable of challenging the best the country has to offer at Westerns next year.
“Typically I like to take a month or two off in the summer to recharge, but it's going to be a busy one this year with hosting the western championships, so I'm going to be right back at it next week,” Langridge said. “I just want to make sure Cold Lake puts on an unbelievable show – it's going to take a lot of work both on and off the ice as we seek to put together a team that will be competitive at the national level.”
2014 Cold Lake Ice Award winners Season MVP: Dallas Ansell Top Scorer: Christian Nypower Citizens Award: Chase Brown Most Improved Player: Jake Chizma Top Defensive Forward: Tanner Corbeil Top Defenseman: Reece Fenrich Rookie of the Year: David Rupp Playoff MVP: Mike Harbich Most Dedicated Player: Chad Schulthiess Most Popular Player: Dallas Ansell Most Gentlemanly Player with Skill: Connor Fynn Unsung Hero: Brandyn Garth
