Mar. 30 / 07
By Guy Bertrand
Times Sports Editor
Amid a lot of laughs and some well deserved honours, the curtain came down on another Trail Smoke Eaters season last night at the Riverbelle.
A season that saw the club set or equal some of the top marks in its BCHL history gave everyone reason to be happy as the Smokies handed out its annual awards and saluted the graduating players.
As usual, head coach Tim Kehler kept everyone laughing with his pointed and comical comments on the players but also took the time to acknowledge their efforts in an impressive season.
"This was our second best season in history in terms of points. We tied for the most road wins in a season. We had the fewest road losses in a year, 10. The previous low was 15. We changed 25 per cent of our road games from losses to wins. That's probably the one I'm most proud of."
David Arduin picked up the award as the top scorer. Joel Barrett won the inaugural Ed Shelley Memorial Award for most sportsmanlike and hard working player. Devan Hartigan was named the most dedicated. Stefan Decosse was selected rookie of the year. Dylan Herold was picked as the most improved. Pat Copeland and Alex Greenlay shared the top defenceman award. Kevin Limbert was picked as the fan favorite and playoff MVP winner.
Greenlay earned another award as the most inspirational and goaltender Cole Anderson was the obvious choice as most valuable player.
"This was the best season of my life as far as having fun at the rihk," said Anderson who along with Copeland, Greenlay and Matt Turner, are off to U.S. colleges next season.
Anderson set team records for most games played by a goaltender, 47, and most wins, 27, as well as providing a steady presence in goal.
"We were in every game," he said. "We battled in every game. "It's not the destination, it's the ride. That's how you define success."
For players like Copeland, who spent two years in Beaver Valley and two years with the Smokies, the banquet signals the end of a four-year residency in the West Kootenay for the Oregon native.
"It's a sad ending to a great part of my life. I can't say enough good things about this place. The people around here have been like family to me."
While Copeland is at one end of the spectrum, Trail native Paul Mailey was just soaking up his first BCHL season with the hometown team.
"The season was great. Coming in here as a 16-year-old, the guys really helped me out a lot. This is one of the best teams Trail has had in a long time. It was great to be a part of it."
Kehler complimented Greenlay, the team captain, for his leadership role and example during the regular season.
" Alex is the best captain I've ever coached," said the Trail coach.
Greenlay then presented the coaching staff of Kehler, Barry Zanier and Brian Youngson with commemorative lamps and thanked them for their efforts and role in the team's success.
He summed up the evening by thanking his teammates for their hard work and dedication throughout the season regardless of the final outcome in the playoffs.
"I know every guy in this room left it all out there," said Greenlay. "And that's all I can ask."
AWARD WINNERS: The Trail Smoke Eaters handed out their annual awards last night at their wind-up banquet. Back row (from the left); Stefan Decosse, rookie of the year; David Arduin, top scorer; Dylan Herold, most improved; Pat Copeland, top defenceman; Joel Barrett, Ed Shelley Award for sportsmanship and hard work; Cole Anderson regular season MVP. Front· row; Devan Hartigan, most dedicated; Kevin Limbert, most popular player and playoff MVP; Alex Greenlay, top defenceman and most inspirational.
