A memorable season was bookended with worthy honours for members of the herd.
The Okotoks Carstar Bisons handed out the hardware at their 2022-23 Awards Banquet on April 14 at the D’Arcy Ranch Golf Club on the heels of a Heritage Junior Hockey League championship and silver medal finish as hosts of the Hockey Alberta Junior B Provincial Championships.
“To the players, thank you for all the time, thank you for all the laughs, thank you for all the commitment,” Bisons head coach Brad Cobb said during a speech at the banquet. “The joy you’ve brought me, you’ve made me re-energized and want to coach this game again.
“I loved coming to the rink, I loved the relationships we had, I loved our success and you guys are awesome.”
Blueliner Brayden Kapty walked away with a trifecta of plaques on the night.
The second-year Bisons rearguard was named MVP, Top Defenceman and took home the Plus/Minus award.
“On a defence corps like this, it’s a big honour,” said Kapty. “Showing up ready to play and having the boys in front of me helping me out too, the biggest thing is that support from everybody.”
Kapty had eight goals and 29 points in 33 games, often skating on a pairing with longtime teammate Kegan Law, but also showing an ability to play alongside a revolving door of partners.
“He’s a childhood friend and it’s nice to get to play junior together and win a championship together,” Kapty added. “We juggled defence with short guys a few times, but we managed and that’s all we can ask for.”
It was a banner evening for the Kaptys at large.
Brayden’s parents, Earl and Denica, were named Volunteers of the Year along with the Hodgins family – Dave, Angie and Jaise.
Jake Snashall, another second-year member of the squad, was recognized as the Most Improved Player and took home the Perseverance No Guts/No Glory nod.
“The coaches, you see how much they care and how important the boys are, it’s a good group of guys and we all love each other,” Snashall said. “So coming into this year I was more dedicated, I wanted to be here, wanted to play and it all comes from love.”
Snashall finished second on the team with 19 goals and fifth in points with 33 in 29 games as he earned more ice time and opportunities to fill the back of the net on special teams.
“This second year was the best time I’ve ever had playing hockey,” Snashall added. “Just a great year, I’m sad that it’s done and I could have kept going for a couple of months.
“But I’ll be back next year and hopefully most of these boys will be as well, ready to roll.”
First-year skaters also made a considerable impact for the HJHL champions.
Slick centreman Easton Dean took home Rookie of the Year honours after posting 10 goals and 29 points in 30 games.
Fellow freshman Kaleb Schuller earned plaudits as the Hardest Working Bison, something the energetic forward takes to heart.
“It definitely means a lot, that’s always been my role throughout my hockey career,” said Schuller. “It’s working hard and providing that energy to the top lines throughout the team and getting the room going and just leading by example.”
That’s the case regardless of the stakes.
Schuller makes a point of practising the same way he plays.
“I do try to bring a lot of energy to practice too as much as some of the guys might not appreciate it sometimes,” he said with a laugh. “But they all love it by the end, making sure we have that little bit of energy at practice all of the time.”
2022-23 Awards
MVP — Brayden Kapty
Postseason MVP — Jaevon Buschlen/Alaister Standen
Most Dedicated — Lucas Watkins
Heart, Pride, Sacrifice (HPS) — Caden Scott
Most Sportsmanlike Award — Daniel Tainton
Rookie of the Year — Easton Dean
Top Defenceman — Brayden Kapty
Leadership award — Lucas Watkins/Jaevon Buschlen
Perseverance-No Guts/No Glory — Jake Snashall
Hardest Working Bison — Kaleb Schuller
Top Defensive Player — Daniel Tainton
Scoring Champion — Adam Kirkpatrick
Plus/Minus — Brayden Kapty
Academic Achievement + Mosby Player Scholarships — BJ Rogi
Volunteers of the Year — Earl and Denica Kapty & Dave, Angie, Jaise Hodgins
