THUNDER BAY, Ont. – The Superior International Junior Hockey League announced Friday that Kyle Auger of the Thunder Bay North Stars has been named its Top Defenceman Award honouree for the 2018-19 regular season.
Auger was a unanimous selection in voting completed by each of the SIJHL’s member clubs to earn the accolades over fellow finalists Dante Tisi of the Red Lake Miners and Connor Bowey of the Thief River Falls Norskies.
The 20-year-old Thunder Bay product had a tremendous campaign leading all SIJHL defencemen in goals (33), assists (69), points (102), game-winning goals (8), power play tallies (8) and man advantage assists (19).
His overall point total established a league record for the most in a single season by a blueliner.
Auger becomes the third North Stars’ defenceman in SIJHL history to garner Top D laurels.
Jordan Smith earned the honours in 2006-07 while Ryan Baird claimed back-to-back awards in 2004-05 and 2005-06.
The following is the list of the SIJHL’s all-time Best Defenceman Award recipients:
2018-19: Kyle Auger, Thunder Bay North Stars
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)
Photo credit: Leith Dunick, tbnewswatch.com