Bobcats Win Five Divisional Awards, Place Four on All-Central
FRISCO, TX – The North American Hockey League unveiled its 2015-16 divisional awards Wednesday and the Bismarck Bobcats were the big winners in the Central Division: claiming five awards while four players were named to the All-Central Division Team.
Comprising the Bobcat divisional awards are:
- Central Division Most Valuable Player: Hunter Shepard
- Central Division Goalie of the Year: Hunter Shepard
- Central Division Coach of the Year: Layne Sedevie
- Central Division Community Service Award: Cole Souto
- Central Division Organization of the Year: Bismarck Bobcats
It is the first time the Bobcats have claimed the division MVP, Goalie of the Year, Coach of the Year or Organization of the Year awards. In 2014-15, Cullen Willox picked up the Community Service Award for the Central.
In addition, the Bobcats placed four players on the All-Central Division Team:
- Forward: Aaron Herdt, Bismarck Bobcats
- Forward: Jade Miller, Austin Bruins
- Forward: Jared Pike, Bismarck Bobcats
- Defenseman: Patrik Demel, Bismarck Bobcats
- Defenseman: James LaDouce, Minot Minotauros
- Goalie: Hunter Shepard, Bismarck Bobcats
“Having a big day like our team is having with all this recognition just goes to show you the value of hard work, perseverance and good teammates,” stated Herdt, who led the Bobcats with 52 points (19g, 33a) in the regular season. “When things were tough in October and November, nobody gave up—everybody believed in themselves and each other and kept working. Every guy that has been honored [Wednesday] is there because of the other 21 guys in that locker room and the effort we all put in together.”
Announced Tuesday, Bobcat blueliner Pieter von Steinbergs earned a spot on the Central Division All-Rookie Team—the first Bobcat defenseman to make that list.
On the ice, the Bobcats will open the Central Division Finals with a 7:15pm bout Friday against the two-time defending division champion Austin Bruins at the VFW Sports Center. Game Two will follow Saturday at the same time.
Tickets are now on sale for the first weekend of the Central Finals: fans can buy and print their tickets online 24 hours a day at BismarckBobcats.com, by clicking “Shop Now” on the team Facebook page or charge-by-phone at 222-3300.
Friday’s series opener will be broadcast live locally on SuperTalk 1270, KLXX-AM, the radio home of Bobcat Hockey, and worldwide online at NAHL.FASTHockey.com—the official web television partner of the North American Hockey League—with pregame coverage starting at 6:45pm.
Tickets are now on sale for the Cats’ run in the 2016 Robertson Cup Playoffs and are already going fast! Lock in yours for the entire playoff run by signing up for 2016-17 season tickets today.