Hockey hardware was displayed at the Arborg Curling Club last week where the Arborg Ice Dawgs hosted their annual wind-up and team awards ceremony on April 27.
This year, the Ice Dawgs presented nine awards to players who made significant contributions to the team during the 2023-24 Capital Region Junior Hockey League (CRJHL) season.
Head coach Derric Gulay said the event was an opportunity to thank everyone who supported the team.
“Without them we wouldn’t have a team,” said Gulay. “For each award and each sponsorship, we recognized the amount they supported us with.”
The award winners included Tyson Barylski (Most Valuable Player and Top Scorer), Dainen Jacobson (Top Rookie and Top Goal Scorer), Jaxson Grose (Most Improved), Michael Crave (Top Defence), Cadrick Dueck (Leader of the Pack), Austin Adair (Fan Favourite), and Harris Dankochik (Coaches Award).
Each winner was presented with a trophy and posed for a photo with coaching staff, Derric Gulay and Jack Einarson, following the winner’s announcement.
Gulay said the event had a good turnout, with many family members, friends, and key sponsors in attendance.
“We got to say thanks and show gratitude to our fans,” said Gulay. “There was a lot of good speeches put forward by our general manager Lloyd Barylski and my speech was thanking our fans, sponsors, coaching staff, executives, trainers, the community, bus drivers, volunteers, rink workers, really anyone who has helped out we said thanks to.”
Team equipment manager Vincent Fridfinnson was also presented with a framed photo of the team for being one of their ‘heartfelt leaders’ this year.
The Ice Dawgs placed fifth in the six-team CRJHL this season and eventually lost to the Beausejour Comets in round one of the playoffs.
Looking back on his first season as a coach at any level, Gulay was happy with the team’s progress throughout the season.
“It was a rollercoaster of emotions,” said Gulay. “We made a ton of progress throughout the year. I grew as a coach. Being a player and transitioning to work behind the bench is quite the leap to take. I was proud of the guys. There was really good dedication in practices throughout the year. Obviously, the season didn’t turn out how we wanted it to, but the common theme is to look ahead and to design the next opportunity. We’re constantly looking to our next goal and it’s all about sticking together and working as a team.”
Gulay is already focused on that next goal as they enter the four-month off-season.
He said they have already begun looking at prospective players for next season who can fit in with the culture the team is building, similar to what they did at the end of the 2023-24 season when they brought in several affiliated players right before the playoffs.
“One of the goals I’m looking to is building relationships on and off the ice,” said Gulay. “More specifically, I want to have the guys bond in the room more, whether that’s going through more team bonding events or supporting the leadership group a bit more. Maybe bringing in some outside guys or some export players to really help build that hockey culture.”
The Ice Dawgs will also lose Cadrick Dueck, Austin Adair, and Mark Hamrlik next season after aging out of junior eligibility.
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