Shantz wins MVP award

High Prairie’s Tyler Shantz is caught from behind by Valleyview’s Brad Bablitz during an NPHL game Feb. 16. High Prairie won the game 9-5 with Shantz scoring twice. Justin Paul follows the play.

Chris Clegg
South Peace News

Tyler Shantz has become only the fifth High Prairie Regal in North Peace Hockey League history to win the most valuable player award. Shantz’s selection was announced by the NPHL Feb. 17. “I’d like to say thanks to my coaches and teammates for having a very good season and making this a possibility for me,” says Shantz, who was also named to the NPHL’s first All-Star Team at right wing. “Without them I simply don’t win.” Shantz won the scoring title this season with 46-45-91 points, eight more than Lakeland’s Travis Cunningham. “I feel very honoured to be named MVP in a league so full of great players,” says Shantz. “I would also like to say congrats to all the other award winners and candidates and good luck to you guys and your teams in the playoffs.” Lakeland’s Travis Cunningham placed second in voting followed by Kip Noble of Fort St. John. Cunningham has three MVP titles to his credit, Noble two. The award is Shantz’s second. He also won while playing with the Lakeland Eagles in 2001-02. Regals’ coach Brian Martinson was not surprised Shantz won the award. “Well, he’s obviously the most valuable player on our team,” he says. “We go as he goes.” Only four other Regals have won the award despite the club’s league record 13 championships. Brian Panasiuk won in 1986-87, Ron Rose in 1978-79, Tom Iannone in 1973-74 and Danny Mulion in 1958-59. The NPHL Rookie-of-the-Year is Craig Venhola of the Spirit River Rangers. Teammate Donny Lloyd won the Most Gentlemanly Player award. Fort St. John also picked up two major awards. The Best Goaltender award went to Troy Hunt while Kip Noble won Best Defenceman honours. Coach-of-the-Year was a tie with Fraser Berg of the Grande Prairie Athletics and Bob Maisonneuve of the Falher Pirates sharing the honour. The First All-Star Team is as follows: Hunt in goal, Noble and Lloyd on defence, Shantz on right wing, Cunningham at centre and Mike Lefley of Spirit River on left wing. The Second All-Star Team is as follows: Chad Rycroft of Spirit River in goal, Jason Shmyr of Fairview and Wade Campbell of Grande Prairie on defence, Jason Bouchard of Falher at centre and Faron Duthie of Spirit River at right wing. Left wing is be shared by Todd Alexander of Fort St. John and Aaron Parenteau of Peace River.

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