By Kris Smith
The Kitmart Dundee Stars hosted their annual awards ceremony last night to recognise the players and volunteers of the club for everything they do each season.
The night kicked off with the Stars TV Player of the Year award, which was won by player-assistant coach Matt Marquardt. He was also Dundee’s top scorer with 27 goals in 65 appearances.
Matt Marquardt said: I am very humbled and to be recognised by Stars TV is an honour.”
The next award to be handed out was the Official Supporters Club Forward of the Year and they chose Dundee-born Jordan Cownie as the winner. In his second year back with the Taysiders, Cownie amassed 36 points from 66 games.
Jordan Cownie said: “It’s an honour to be nominated for any award but to win Forward of the Year is a huge honour for me.”
The OSC’s Defender of the Year award followed and Mike Sullivan was selected as the winner. The Canadian born-Italian quickly cemented himself as fans favourite at the Dundee Ice Arena this season.
Mike Sullivan said: “It’s an honour to be nominated but I think it could have gone to any of us, firstly I think Pontus really helped us out a lot and led us to the success we have had.
“I think we have benefited from having the same defence partner all year and I’ve had a great defence partner in Shawn (Boutin) and it could have easily gone to him. I am just very humbled and thankful to the fans.”
The OSC then handed out their Player of the Year award and they awarded it to Fabrizio Ricci. The speedy winger proved his worth all season-long with 18 goals and 22 assists through the campaign.
The re-introduction of the Clubman of the Year award was met with great support from the fans in attendance and Commercial Manager, Elliot Shaw announced Defenceman, Drydn Dow as the winner. Dow was praised for all his efforts both on and off ice and for how he has shown to be a role model throughout all aspects of life.
Drydn Dow said: “It means a lot, I’ve had a great year with this team and I’ve enjoyed every moment of it.”
General manager and head coach, Omar Pacha was invited on to the stage to present the British Player of the Year award and he selected Kris Inglis. The Dundonian was thrown in at the deep end last year but continued to progress by leaps and bounds this year.
Kris Inglis said: “It’s a great honour, I’ve had a really enjoyable year and it’s very humbling but it could have went to any of the other British guys.”
It was then time for the Players Player of the Year award and they had picked netminder, Pontus Sjögren for the award and for being their saviour throughout the season.
Pontus Sjögren said: “I really appreciate it, especially when it comes from your teammates, it means a lot but they battled hard in front of me the whole year, so I think they deserve it as much as I do.
Finally, Omar Pacha returned to the stage to announce the Coach’s Player of the Year and he chose Charles Corcoran. It was clear at the start of the year when Pacha signed the American he was pleased and Corcoran showed his worth in his first professional season and Pacha felt he was the player that deserved recognition for his efforts.
Charles Corcoran said: “It is nice to be recognised but from a players standpoint Pontus is our rock and I think he should win every award but it is nice to be recognised.”
The Club would like to thank the efforts of Stars TV and the OSC for organising a fantastic evening that was enjoyed by all.
