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4.2.01
Micah Sanford 'Best Player' Out of State, As....
ROSEBERRY, NEELY, DEL GROSSO
COACH ROB PALLIN GET THE AWARDS!!!
This
has been some kind of hockey season. Rob Pallin turns around the AA Las Vegas Mustangs who played some of the best hockey we have ever seen in town. Micah Sanford of Las Vegas makes his mark in Junior A and even scores two goals in playoffs. Our out of state skaters played their hearts out. I wish we had more plaques and trophies to hand out, but the votes are in and we have winners for our first annual Blue Line Awards.
First,
thanks to everyone who took the time to email selections. Thanks for all of your insight and opinions. We received messages and votes from every state in the Western region.
Now....to the awards.
PLAYER OF THE YEAR:
TRAVIS ROSEBERRY, Las Vegas Mustangs
For the
third straight winter, he led his team in goal scoring. He was the center on the Triple Threat Line which pounded in more than 80 goals. He has a laser-like shot from inside either circle and can also work his way inside and score from short range. Travis has been an impact player for his last three seasons, first with the AA Team Las Vegas bantams, then the AAA Vail, Colorado bantams and now AA Las Vegas. He scored over 30 goals, a remarkable achievement for a first-year midget player.
Others
receiving votes: Billy Tufano, Las Vegas Titans roller; Cody Fulweiler, Las Vegas Mustangs; Spike Neely, Las Vegas Mustangs; Landon Kraige, Las Vegas roller.
PLAYER OF THE YEAR OUT OF STATE:
MICAH SANFORD, Chilliwack Chiefs
He
has every scoring record at his home rink, Crystal Palace on Rancho where he was a spectacular hard-skating, game-breaker. He started to play ice as an older teenager and after a season with the Las Vegas Blackjacks, played a starring role with the AAA Vail 17-and-under midget team. This year, he was the first Las Vegas player on the Junior A level, scoring 15 goals, adding 9 assists for the Chilliwack Chiefs of the BCHL. He our first Las Vegas player to break out and many parents, players and former teammates are rooting for him.
Also receiving votes: Eddie Samuels, AAA Vail bantams; Josh Jasek,
AAA Riverside Jets midgets; Paul Lowden, AAA Shattuck St. Mary's
midgets.
ALL HEART AWARD:
SPIKE NEELY, Las Vegas Mustangs
He's
a fearless puck hunter who skates with everything he has. He had a career-best season, working with Travis Roseberry and J.C. Caron on a line which scored more than 80 times. Neely skates hard, from the moment the gate opens for warmups. He fears no defenseman, no matter how large. He's a special talent, an all-heart player.
MOST IMPROVED:
EDDIE DEL GROSSO, Las Vegas Mustangs
About a
year ago, Eddie worked himself top playing shape and as a result his point production began to rise in dramatic fashion. But he turned up his game even more as a callup bantam for the AA Las Vegas 17-and-under ice team. Playing defense, he was a smart, heady player who made quick decisions with the puck, passed well and banged in some goals.
Also
receiving votes: J.C. Caron, Las Vegas Mustangs; Adam Naglich, Las Vegas Mustangs; Cody Fulweiler, Las Vegas Mustangs; Jason Allen, Las Vegas Mustangs; Adam Tamura, Las Vegas Titans roller; Andy Miles, Las Vegas roller.
COACH OF THE YEAR:
ROB PALLIN, Las Vegas Mustangs
He inherited a 4-31 program, brought in top players, installed a
disciplined style of play and spun the program around. Coach
Pallin built in one single season the best youth hockey the
city has ever seen. The Mustangs came a feared team, practically
unbeatable on home ice at the Santa Fe Ice Arena.
Others receiving votes: Larry Sanford, Las Vegas Titans roller;
Jamie O'Leary, Vail, Colorado bantams; Alan Morgan, Las Vegas Titans
roller.
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