The Airdrie-Cochrane Athletic Association (ACAA), which oversees the top boys’ minor hockey programs in the two communities, hosted its annual awards night on April 18 at the Airdrie Town and Country Centre.
Throughout the evening, players from the ACAA's four teams received individual awards, ranging from most improved, to coaches' choice, to the heart and hustle award, to the team's official Most Valuable Player (MVP) for the 2022-23 season.
For the U15 AAA provincial championship-winning Airdrie Xtreme, Riley Boychuk was the headline-maker of the evening, taking home three awards. Boychuk was recognized as the team's top scorer, top forward, and Vic Wiebe MVP award recipient.
Other Xtreme players who received accolades were top defenseman Aaron Sawatsky, heart and hustle award recipient Benett Kelly, and most improved player Isaac Riep. Finn Bagley and Isaac Davies shared the Harry Smart Memorial Award.
From the U16 AA Airdrie/Bow Valley Havoc, the team's MVP was chosen as Cade Farrow, the team's heart award recipient was Jayden Barney, the coaches' choice was Jaden Piper, and the most improved player was Zach Uphill. The top defenseman award went to Nate Turton, while the top forward accolade went to Sawyer Cambell.
Liam Breakenridge picked up two awards when it came time to name the U17 AAA Airdrie-Cochrane Avalanche award recipients, as he was selected as both the team's MVP and the top forward. Stephen Jones was named the Avs' top defenseman, Chase Kunn was coaches' choice, Cooper Visser received the heart award, and Morgan Page was deemed the Avalanche's most improved player.
Airdrie's U18 AAA squad, the Bisons, saw the most players receive personal accolades. Kaden Skrenek was named the top defensive forward, while Gage Sather received the nod as the Bisons' top forward. First-year blue-liner Wyatt Pisarczyk received the top defenseman honour, despite missing some of the 2022-23 season with an eye injury, and Spencer Kunz was the top scorer.
Caleb Leischner and Billy Hooson split the award as the hardest working Bisons team members, while Ben Luterbach and Haruki Morikawa shared the accolade of the most dedication to the team. Finally, Landon Pappas received the Marcus Lavallee Scholarship, and Michell Kathler was named the Bisons' overall MVP.
