It was a good night to celebrate local hockey as the Airdrie CFR Bisons held their Year End Awards Ceremony on Saturday (March 3rd).

The evening was a chance to reflect back on the Bisons first season back in Airdrie and to thank the players, coaches, trainers, parents and volunteers who made the season possible.

While the year may not have gone the way they hoped, Head Coach Dan Gendur says it was exciting, especially in his first season as a head coach in the AMHL.

"I was named head coach around June 1st. To get to this point, it goes by so fast and to watch the smiles on the players' faces as they're seeing a teammate for maybe the last time and maybe winning an award, it's what coaching is about."

Before acknowledging the achievements of the players, Gendur took time to speak about Airdrie player Morgan Simpson, who passed away last Friday. Gendur had the privilege of coaching Simpson during his time with the Cochrane Generals.

After recognizing each player individually for their efforts during the season, Gendur and Associate Coach Dustin Taylor honoured the best of the best of the year.

Braeden Mitchell, Ryan Ries, Brett LaGrandeur, Kory Zinck, Luke Jensen and Joel Shoemaker are commemorated for their final year with the Bisons program.

Jett Jones was named the team's Rookie of the Year as well as Most Valuable Player and explains how he felt when his name was called.

"It was a huge honour. MVP, I wasn't expecting. I'm just thankful for everybody that has helped me here and the coaches for teaching me and giving me the award."

Other award winners of the night included Jackson Wade for the Neil Glionna Award for Sportsmanship; Joel Shoemaker as Top Defenseman, Ethan Strang for Top Scorer and Brett LaGrandeur for Most Improved.

The coaches also took the opportunity to honour the six Bisons who are graduating from the program: Joel Shoemaker, Luke Jensen, Braeden Mitchell, Brett Lagrandeur, Kory Zinck and captain Ryan Ries.

Jones says it will be tough to enter next season without those young men in the locker room.

"Those guys graduating were role models, they showed us kinda what to expect and led us. That's a new role for new guys next year. "

Gendur agrees that it will be tough to replace those six players but he's looking forward to next season and another year in Airdrie.

"I think the future's really bright. We built ourselves young this season and we should have a good group of returning players coming back next year. Obviously, the Xtreme speak for themselves right now, they're an excellent hockey team and hopefully, some players from there play for our team."

The only player not in attendance at the event was Ethan Strang, who is currently playing for the Bonnyville Pontiacs of the Alberta Junior Hockey League.

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