The Ridge Meadows Flames may have missed the playoffs, but there were some positive signs, said coach and general manager Jamie Fiset.
Fiset was on hand Tuesday night along with a crowd of more than 60 to celebrate the Flames annual awards night at Planet Ice.
Fiset said the team had a strong start and finish to the season, but the mid-season collapse is what killed any chances at the playoffs.
Despite the struggles, he said a number of his players showed him what it takes to be successful on the ice. Leading the way was Flames most valuable player Boston Colley.
The Flames forward finished the season second on the team in scoring with 13 goals and 22 assists while drawing 90 minutes in penalties.
“Consistantly, night in and night out, he was our best player,” said Fiset. “He brings a real blend of grit and skill to the team.”
He said the 19-year-old Colley has one more year of eligibility left and hopes he will return to the Flames.
“It looks like he will be back, but in this league you never know,” Fiset said.
As well as being named MVP, Colley took home the team’s hard hat award as the hardest working player, as well as sharing the most valuable forward award with the team’s leading scorer Jordan Rendle.
Rendle finished the season with 15 goals, 22 helpers and 133 penalty minutes in 40 games.
“They were the glue that kept the team together,” said Fiset. “They’re a real dynamic duo. Rendle is a very special player that does whatever is needed for the team to be successful. Whether it’s playing on the power play or blocking shots on the penalty kill, there’s no situation you couldn’t put him in.”
Rendle was also honoured as the team’s most inspirational player.
Fiset also had high praise for defenceman Andrew Castagna. He said his strong play has drawn interest from junior A ranks.
“It’s always great to find new talent and help bring them along,” said the general manager. “But it’s even nicer to see them move on to a higher level.”
Ridge Meadow Flames 2014/15 award winners:
• Most Valuable Player - Boston Colley;
• Meadow Ridge Collision Hard Hat Award - Boston Colley;
• MRC bursary ($500) - Andrew Castagna;
• PJHL bursary ($500) - Nick Maydaniuk and Danny Wilson;
• Most valuable forward - Boston Colley and Jordan Rendle;
• Most valuable defenceman - Andrew Castagna;
• Most improved player - Cam Alder;
• Most sportsmanlike player - Brandon Inwood;
• Rookie of the year - Ben Chipman and Andrew Strelezki;
• Most inspirational player - Jordan Rendle;
• Leading scorer - Jordan Rendle.