FAIRBANKS, AK – Senior center Dion Knelsen (Three Hills, AB, Drumheller (AJHL)) received six awards, including Steve Moria Most Valuable Player, at the Alaska Nanooks annual hockey awards banquet Saturday night at the Fairbanks Princess Hotel. Six other Nanooks received awards, most of which were decided by a team vote.
Knelsen led the team in scoring with 43 points to garner the Keith Street Top Scorer award for the third consecutive season. His 19 goals were tops, while he was tied for the lead in assists with 24 as he earned single-season career best figures offensively. Knelsen, who joined the Alaska Aces of the ECHL earlier this week, was also tabbed the winner of the Dirk Anderson Scholar-Athlete, Ryan Reinheller Humanitarian, Top Playoff Performer, and the Fan's Choice awards.
Sophomore defenseman
Aaron Gens (Baudette, MN, Topeka (NAHL)) the only other multiple-award winner, sharing the Shawn Chambers Top Defenseman honor with
Joe Sova (Berwyn, IL, Omaha (USHL)) as well as the Dean Fedorchuk Most Improved player award.
Andy Taranto (Woodridge, IL, Fargo (USHL)) was recognized as the Doug Desorcie Top Rookie with 18 goals and 24 assists good for 42 points, representing the most in a single-season by a first-year Nanook since the program joined the NCAA Division I ranks. Taranto was the CCHA Rookie of the Year, a 2010 CCHA All-Rookie Team selection and is a finalist for the national award as well. He led the CCHA rookies offensively, was fifth overall for points among the leagues top forwards and finished third among NCAA Division I rookies for points.
Senior defensemen Dustin Molle (Anchorage, AK, Waterloo (USHL)) was named the Ricky Pttta Most Dedicated Player for the third consecutive season, while his classmate Cody Rymut (Bonnyville, AB, Chilliwack (BCHL)) was named the Pump House Team Player. Rounding out the list of award winners was sophomore forward Ron Meyers (Prince Albert, SK, Lloydminster (AJHL)), who was named the Unsung Hero of the 2009-10 season.
2009-10 Alaska Hockey Banquet Awards:
Steve Moria Most Valuable Player – Dion Knelsen
Dirk Anderson Scholar-Athlete – Dion Knelsen
Keith Street Top Scorer – Dion Knelsen
Fan's Choice Award - Dion Knelsen
Top Playoff Performer - Dion Knelsen
Ryan Reinheller Humanitarian Award – Dion Knelsen
Pump House Team Player – Cody Rymut
Shawn Chambers Top "D" – Joe Sova and Aaron Gens
Doug Desorcie Top Rookie – Andy Taranto
Dean Fedorchuk Most Improved Player – Aaron Gens
Ricky Pitta Most Dedicated Player – Dustin Molle
Don Jamieson Unsung Hero – Ron Meyers
