THUNDER BAY, Ont. – The Superior International Junior Hockey League announced Monday that Cory Dennis of the Dryden GM Ice Dogs has been named its CCM Hockey Best Defenceman award recipient for the 2017-18 season.
Dennis earned the accolades over fellow nominees Joe Newhouse of the Thunder Bay North Stars and Brody Jennings of the English River Miners in voting completed by each of the league’s member clubs.
In 54 games this season, the veteran blueliner from Madison, Wis., tied for the SIJHL lead in goals among defenceman with 15 while finishing second in points with 46.
He also produced 16 power play points for the league-leading GM Ice Dogs.
In 96 career league contests, Dennis has registered 80 points, including 26 tallies.
In earning the honour, he becomes the fourth Dryden D-man to garner the accolades.
Jon Mitchell claimed back-to-back Top Defenceman honours in 2009-10 and 2010-11 while Len Pelletier picked up the award in 2012-13 as did Mike Kavanaugh back in 2001-02, in the first season of the league.
The following is the list of the SIJHL’s all-time CCM Hockey best defenceman award recipients:
2017-18: Cory Dennis, Dryden GM Ice Dogs
2016-17: Trevor Pereverzoff, English River Miners
2015-16: Nick Minerva, Fort Frances Lakers
2014-15: Noah Anderson, Minnesota Iron Rangers
2013-14: Austin Frank, Minnesota Iron Rangers
2012-13: Len Pelletier, Dryden Ice Dogs
2011-12: Anthony Calabrese, Wisconsin Wilderness
2010-11: Jon Mitchell, Dryden Ice Dogs
2009-10: Jon Mitchell, Dryden Ice Dogs
2008-09: Brad Pawlowski, Thunder Bay Bearcats
2007-08: Brad Pawlowski, Thunder Bay Bearcats
2006-07: Jordan Smith, Fort William North Stars
2005-06: Ryan Baird, Fort William North Stars
2004-05: Ryan Baird, Fort William North Stars
2003-04: Kurt Hogard, Borderland Thunder
2002-03: Jay Philips, Borderland Thunder (Co-recipient)
2002-03: Lloyd Stansell, Thunder Bay Bulldogs (Co-recipient)
2001-02: Mike Kavanaugh, Dryden Ice Dogs (Co-recipient)
2001-02: Jarris Blacksmith, Featherman Hawks (Co-recipient)
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