Steinbach Pistons celebrate graduating players at year-end banquet
Advertisement
The Steinbach Pistons hosted their year-end banquet a little earlier than they would have liked April 3. The team honoured award winners and its eight graduating players just days after getting knocked out of the first round by the Portage Terriers in the Manitoba Junior Hockey League quarterfinals.
“Every year I feel like I’m not prepared for this day, and probably moreso than ever before,” head coach and general manager Paul Dyck said before introducing the team’s crop of graduating players.
“We thought this might be happening in May this year.”
It was no surprise to hear Connor Paronuzzi’s name called the most during the team’s awards ceremony. Paronuzzi was named the league’s most valuable player, winning the MJHL scoring race while setting a new single-season points record for Pistons players.
Paronuzzi was given the team’s three stars award, regular season most valuable player and top scorer award. Goaltender Christian Green was named the team’s playoff most valuable player.
Brayden Barnett nabbed the team’s fan favourite award, which is awarded based on an online poll.
Jamie Fuchs and Luke Bogart split the community service award, which comes with a $500 scholarship. Brody Green was recognized for his academic excellence. Mathis Laplante was named the team’s most improved player, while Oakbank’s Reece Gault won the rookie of the year award.
Spencer Penner also was awarded multiple honours. The 20-year-old from Blumenort was given the “true grit,” and top defenseman award by the team.
Penner also got the most laughs from the crowd. When asked what his plans are for next season, he announced he had “signed a 50-year contract with K.K. Penner Tires.”
Three graduating players were members of the 2022 championship team, with Penner, Ty Paisley and captain Noah Szabo aging out of junior this year.
Paisley left the team to play in the USHL and B.C. Hockey League, before re-joining Steinbach this season. Part of Dyck’s pitch to Paisley was the chance to play in the new Southeast Event Centre, with the hometown star even nabbing the first Pistons goal in the new building.
Brett Kaiser is the only player from that team who will be eligible to return next season.
The Pistons also recognized Tasha Wiese during the banquet.
The volunteer suddenly fell ill March 10, with sepsis causing doctors to amputate both her hands and legs. With Wiese in a coma as she recovers, the team is supporting her, with proceeds of the night’s 50/50 draw donated to her recovery. The person who won the draw chose to donate the $560 they won back to the cause.