The Battlefords AAA Sharks’ award recipients: Top (L-R): Haylie Biever, Kiana McNinch, Madison Glynn. Bottom (L-R): Ava Cole, Yelena Zaleschuk, Ryder Milne. (sfu18aaahl.com)

By Martin Martinson

Sharks standouts

AAA Sharks announce team award winners for 2019-20

Apr 16, 2020 | 4:11 PM

The Battlefords AAA Sharks announced their year-end team awards on Thursday.

Goaltender, Haylie Biever took home Most Valuable Player and the Leadership Award; while Madison Glynn was named Top Defensive Player and Most Dedicated.

Kiana McNinch, who led the Sharks with 14 goals and 20 points this season, was given Top Offensive Player; while Ava Cole earned Rookie of the Year; and Yelena Zaleschuk and Ryder Milne shared the distinction of Most Improved Player.

Haylie Biever – Team MVP/Leadership Award

Biever’s team MVP and leadership awards were no surprise to those following the Sharks this year. The 18-year-old veteran posted a 3.52 goals-against average and .908 save percentage while finishing second in the league in games played (19), shots faced (682) and saves (619).

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Coach of the Sharks, Doug Milne said Biever’s play was pivotal to the team’s success in 2019-20, adding that the club will miss her next season, as she graduates from the U-18 hockey ranks.

“Biever’s always stellar for us between the pipes,” Milne said. “Even games that we shouldn’t have necessarily been in, Haylie has always kept us in those games kicking pucks out left and right. She’s a fantastic kid and I know all the girls really loved and respected everything she did for us.”

Biever’s awards cap off a year which saw the goaltender commit to Minot State University for the fall after picking up SFU18AAAHL Top Goaltender honours and a selection to the league’s First All-Star Team.

Madison Glynn – Top Defensive Player/Most Dedicated

Glynn provided a steadying presence on the back-end for the Sharks while leading the team and finishing second in league goals (7) and eighth in points (13) amongst blueliners.

In addition to the offense, Glynn was regularly used in a matchup capacity against the opposition’s best on the defensive side of the puck.

“Glynn is a fantastic skater and a strong kid,” Milne said. “She has a tremendous shot and she defends very well for us all the time; we always have her on the ice in important situations. Off the ice as well, she lends a hand all the time with behind the scenes things, from off-ice training to getting involved in the community [events].”

Kiana McNinch – Top Offensive Player

The younger sister of Battlefords North Stars’ forward Ryland McNinch, Kiana proved scoring touch runs in the family this season picking up a team-high 14 goals, 20 points as a 16-year-old with the Sharks, making the sophomore a shoo-in for Top Offensive Player.

“She is our best offensive player and she’s only in Grade 10 this year,” coach Milne said. “She is already amazing and she is going to be even better in the next two years.”

Five of McNinch’s goals were power play tallies, while another four came shorthanded. Milne added that her versatility makes McNinch a special player and dual-threat.

Ava Cole – Rookie of the Year

A product of Edam, Sask., Cole made a name for herself in her first year with the Sharks, as a lockdown defender with good instincts who can take away time and space.

“She came out in her first year and was a beast on the back-end,” Milne said. “She doesn’t let anybody get through without getting a stick or a body on them to disrupt them. That’s her go-to is the defensive side of the game; she doesn’t let anyone get through to our goaltenders which is great.”

At just 15 year-of-age, Cole should prove to be a familiar face on the Sharks’ blue line for years to come.

Yelena Zaleschuk and Ryder Milne – Most Improved Player

Zaleschuk improved in virtually every statistical category in 2019-20, as the Saskatoon product posted a new career-best with a 3.88 goals-against average and .891 save percentage while standing tall at 5’7 with an agile approach to the position.

Upfront, Ryder Milne also set new career marks across the board. Shifting from the defence position last season, to play forward this year, Milne saw time at both the center and wing positions. Making the most of her increased offensive opportunity, Milne scored 5 goals, 12 points while playing 27 games for the team.

“Ryder had a great year for us upfront, and [in addition to the increased offensive numbers], was probably our best shot blocker and could play both ends of the ice very well for us,” coach Milne said. “Then in goal, Yelena improved in everything from goals-against to goals-saved-above-average and save percentage too, so they both did very well.”

Milne said while the premature ending of the year due to the COVID-19 pandemic was obviously abrupt, overall the season saw some outstanding performances and was one the players should look back on fondly.

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Martin.Martinson@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: MartyMartyPxP1