DANKOCHIK’S DRAFTINGS: The officially unofficial Carillon sports awards

In lieu of a committee that is able to vote on award winners, like the Canadian Press or Lou Marsh awards, The Carillon sports awards will have to look different.

Below I have posted eight categories and my suggestions for winners, and I’d love to hear from readers on potential other nominations.

If I missed someone, or you wish to suggest a category, don’t hesitate to reach out to my email (sports@thecarillon.com). I’d love to see a more formal awards structure for the region come together.

MEN’S ATHLETE OF THE YEAR (out of province)

There was no debate in my mind on this one. With a shout out to Denton Mateychuk, who’s championship run with the Moose Jaw Warriors would probably be more than enough most years, there is no denying Eric Loeppky in 2024.

Just his club volleyball performance this season would have been enough to make a case, as Vero Volley Monza enjoyed their best-ever season in the top Italian League and Loeppky earned a move to powerhouse Lube. Add on his Olympic appearance for Team Canada, and it becomes overwhelming.

WOMEN’S ATHLETE OF THE YEAR (out of province)

Another easy decision for me here, as Raygan Kirk paired an NCAA national championship shutout victory with professional success, being drafted to the Professional Women’s Hockey League’s Toronto Sceptres.

Paige Heide’s story deserves a shout out as well. She went from walk-on to starter at Waterloo in the USports soccer ranks after leaving Providence College.

LOCAL MEN’S ATHLETE (adult)

I struggled with how to best divide the local categories, specifically what to do with junior players who are over 18. Ultimately I think under and over-18 categories is the best way to do it, but I’m not sure I’m correct here. Maybe separating out the “junior hockey player of the year,” award would best

The men’s adult category suffers the most under this format and might need a separation between the junior and adult age-level. For the senior level, Eastman Warrior Jale Kaukirewa, Ste Anne Ace Brendan Walker and Providence Pilot Noah Boschman are who immediately come to mind for me.

I’d lean towards Walker. Not only for his play on the ice, but also his role in building and recruiting the current iteration of the Ste Anne Aces into a powerhouse of senior hockey.

If I were to give an award to a junior hockey player, I think I’d go with St Malo’s Ashton Dubios, who not only led the Warriors to their first Capital Region Junior League championship, but became the league’s all-time leading scorer in November. An honourable mention goes to Spencer Penner, for his steady play for the Steinbach Pistons at highest level of local junior hockey.

LOCAL WOMEN’S ATHLETE (adult)

Unfortunately there are not as many women’s adult sports in our region, especially when it comes to junior hockey, where most of our readers’ interest lies, but for me Providence’s Ava Temple makes a strong case. Not only is she a Swiss Army Knife of a player for the Providence team, contributing everywhere on the pitch as a defender or attacker, she also enjoyed a stint at the semi-professional level in B.C. this summer.

Fellow Pilots standout in volleyball Tyra Peters would also be in the running. St Adolphe’s Taylor Audette has been a strong presence in the Manitoba Women’s Junior Hockey League this calendar year too.

LOCAL MEN’S ATHLETE (U18)

My instinct would be to give this to Josiah Greiner, who cracked 1,000 yards for the Steinbach Regional varsity football team, leading the top division in rushing yards by over 200, but that could be my bias for high school football showing.

Kasen Mateychuk with the Eastman Selects has impressed me everytime I see him as well.

LOCAL WOMEN’S ATHLETE (U18)

Elenoa Kaukirewa is the player who stands out the most to me. A force on the rugby pitch, she is a big factor to why Steinbach Regional’s sevens team plays at such a high level, winning the Manitoba Rugby junior player of the year.

The Eastman Selects’ Sophia Heideinger is also enjoying a great year, recently committing to the University of Manitoba.

TEAM OF THE YEAR (U18)

I’d have to put my vote behind the Gabrielle-Roy boys varsity volleyball team for competing in the AAAA ranks this season, and reaching the provincial semi-finals. The sub-300 student school punches way above its weight in volleyball, and is a great team to watch play. The other strong contender comes on the football field, as the Eastman Raiders U16 team won the program’s first Manitoba Minor Football Association championship.

The U15 Eastman Selects enjoyed a strong season, reaching their league final and putting a strong contingent of players into the WHL draft ranks this season.

TEAM OF THE YEAR (adult)

Plenty of great options here, including the St Malo Warriors of the CRJHL, Ste Anne Aces of the SEMHL and Eastman Warriors of the Manitoba Rugby Premier Division, but I think I’d lean towards the Carillon Sultans of the Manitoba Junior Baseball League, for winning their league championship in over a decade and earning a nationals berth this season.

Thanks to everyone I covered this year, from the beer league softball players to the Olympic athletes. I’m grateful to everyone for sharing their stories with me and our readers.