It was another very successful season for the Fort McMurray Oil Barons as for a second straight year the club topped 40 wins. The MOB finished the regular season in second place in the North Division with a 42-13-5 record and 89 points.
On Sunday morning, the Oil Barons celebrated their hard work and achievements at their annual awards banquet.
The team reflected back at the season that was and looked forward to their first round playoff match-up against the Bonnyville Pontiacs. The coaching staff and organization took time to honour those who had exceptional season’s on the ice as well as those who have done so much for the community and their teammates off the ice.
Will Conley took home two awards after having a remarkable season that saw the third year Oil Baron finish second in the Alberta Junior Hockey League in both goals and points. Conley was named the team’s Most Valuable Player and Top Scorer after scoring 48 goals and racking up 80 points in 58 games. The 20 year old became the first Oil Baron to score 40 goals in a season since 2000-2001 when Fort McMurrayite Colin Murphy had 47.
20 year old defenceman JC Thivierge also took home a pair of awards receiving the Rody MacNeil Award / Scholarship which includes $1,000 towards his post-secondary education and the Masterton Award as the most dedicated player. In his second season with the MOB, Thivierge became a leader on and off the ice. He was named an Assistant Captain by the coaching staff and continually helped the younger players with their off ice training. On the ice, Thivierge had another strong year scoring 10 goals and 39 points in 53 games.
Third year defenceman Taner Miller was recognized as the Most Defensive Player and also received the Coaches Award for his willingness to always put the team first. Head Coach Tom Keca mentioned he gave Miller the option to play in the final game of the season to reach 60 games as he had played all 59 up to that date. The 19 year old chose to sit because he said he could use the day off to be better prepared to help the team in the playoffs and it would also give another player a chance to play. Miller equaled his point total from a season ago with 41 and set a new career high in goals with nine. The Lethbridge, Alberta native had received the Coaches Award in his rookie season as well.
The Top Defenceman Award went to Curtis Roach for a second straight year. Roach led all defenceman on the team in points with 44 in just 38 games. Despite missing 22 games with injuries this season, the 20 year old still finished third in defencemen scoring in the AJHL. After missing the final 20 games of 2017, Roach returned in the new year and dominated from the blueline recording 34 points in 22 games.
Rookie of the Year went to goalie Chris Curr who was a finalist for the league’s Rookie of the Year award. Curr put together a spectacular rookie season going 16-5-2 with one shutout. He had a .922 save percentage and a 2.39 goals against average which ranked third and sixth in the league.
For the second straight season, Shane Fraser was named the winner of the Glenn Carriere Heart and Hustle Award. The Oil Barons captain did whatever his team needed him to do this season and he enjoyed a career year. The 20 year old scored 21 goals and 54 points, recording two hat-tricks and picking up 100 career points in his AJHL career. Fraser was also recognized by his opponents as he was named the AJHL’s Most Dedicated Player.
He was a finalist for Top Goaltender of the Year for a second straight season and for good reason because he stood on his head night in and night out. Eric Szudor was chosen as the Unsung Hero of the MOB. Szudor went 26-8-3 this season with a pair of shutouts. The 21 year old had a .909 save percentage and a 2.87 goals against average which ranked him in the top 10 in both categories.
Rookie Luke Harvie picked up the Terry Conroy Award for community involvement. Harvie was a part of Project Keep Straight and was actively involved in schools and throughout the community all the while attending Father Mercredi High School as a Grade 12 student.
The Oil Barons begin their first round playoff match up against the Bonnyville Pontiacs Thursday and Friday at the Casman Centre for Games 1 and 2. Tickets are now on sale and can be purchased at the Casman Centre box office or online.
