Dale Howell is going out an MVP.
The Nelson Leafs forward was named the team’s most valuable player at the annual awards banquet Thursday. Howell, who played his last year of junior hockey, was also handed the Coaches Choice award.
The 20-year-old forward led the Leafs in scoring during the playoffs with 12 points and finished the regular season second in team scoring with 21 goals and 24 assists.
The organization also announced the coaching staff of head coach Mario DiBella and assistants Sean Dooley and Isaac MacLeod would return for the next season. In its first full season under the staff, the Leafs improved on their regular-season record and went further in the playoffs.
Goaltender Devin Allen was named the team’s most valuable playoff player after several spectacular performances in the post-season, including a 56-save effort in Game 1 against Castlegar that needed four overtimes to finish.
Sawyer Hunt was awarded for being the team’s leading scorer with 17 goals and 29 assists, and was also named the scholastic player of the year.
Forward Jack Karran was named rookie of the year, Zach Morey was tipped as the team’s top defenceman, and Brent Headon was the most improved player.
Sam Weber was voted by the players as the most liked player and also won the unsung hero award. Andy Fitzpatrick was named most spirited player as well as most sportsmanlike. Aigne McGeady-Bruce, meanwhile, won the citizenship trophy and Mason Mullaney took the Ted Cartlidge award.
