As their golden season comes to a close, the Merritt Centennials took time to celebrate their successes and hand out some hardware to players during the team’s annual end-of-season awards ceremony.
Members of the Cents team gathered at the Merritt Senior’s Centre last week to beginning wrapping up their season. Awards were handed out to players, with the effort of other Cents team members being recognized as well.
“As our 50th Anniversary Season begins to close, this past weekend, we were able to hand out some hardware to recognize players and their accomplishments throughout the season alongside parents, billet families and board members,” said a release by the team.
“Also, a huge thank you to all the volunteers, staff and specifically to the ‘Retired Booster Club’ for all your hard work in putting together the celebration!”
The 2022/23 BCHL season award winners for the Cents were as follows:
Ska Lu La Award: Mark Thurston, Jackson Murphy-Johnson, Connor Farren, Jackson Krill
Photo/Christina Jean Photography
Most Improved: Ryan Spinale
Photo/Christina Jean Photography
Fan Favourite: Jaxson Murray
Photo/Christina Jean Photography
Academic Scholar: Aleksey Chichkin
Photo/Christina Jean Photography
Rookie of the Year: Jaxson Murray
Photo/Christina Jean Photography
Most Promising Player: Diego Johnson
Photo/Christina Jean Photography
Coaches Award: Jacob Smith
Photo/Christina Jean Photography
Most Gentlemanly Player: Jonathan Wong
Photo/Christina Jean Photography
Best Defenseman: Jackson Murphy-Johnson
Photo/Christina Jean Photography
Unsung Hero: Aidan Lindblad
Photo/Christina Jean Photography
Most Valuable Player: Johnny Hicks
Photo/Christina Jean Photography
Leadership and Ability: Christian Lowe
Photo/Christina Jean Photography
Joe Tenant – Most Dedicated: Michael Shara and Connor Farren
Photo/Christina Jean Photography
Beth Nadeau and Stuart Family – Hustle and Heart (Most Inspirational): Christian Lowe
Photo/Christina Jean Photography
The team also took extra time to recognize the two Centennials players that will age out of the BCHL before the beginning of next season, Captain Christian Lowe and Jackson Murphy-Johnson. The pair were given a ring to commemorate ending their BCHL career with the Centennials.
The Cents invite the community to “fill the barn” and show their support for the team by attending their final home game of the season, taking place against the Vernon Vipers at the NVMA this Saturday (March 25). Puck drop is scheduled for 7:00 p.m., with special events and fundraisers in support of BC Children’s Hospital planned throughout the game.
