By Tanner Schafer
Over the next couple of days, we will be announcing our players of the year. Teams nominated their own players and then it went to a vote between the clubs and media members with teams unable to vote for their own players. That being said, let’s jump right in.
The Best Defenceman of the Year award has been won by Jack Cook of the Kam River Fighting Walleye. For anyone who has followed the monthly awards this win comes as no surprise. Cook received recognition in every single monthly award vote winning Defenceman of the Month in December and January. He also received honorable mention in October, November, and February. Cook was a big presence in the defensive one all year long, being a sure puck handler and head starting the attack from his own end. The blue line was versatile as well quarterbacking the powerplay and playing plenty of minutes on the penalty kill. Cook was great on the offensive end as well finishing tied for ninth in points in the league with 50. He accumulated 21 goals and 29 assists in 43 contests. Cook was the runaway choice for Defenceman of the Year.