DC Invaders Team Award Winners

Statistical Awards

Most Points in the Regular Season
2010-2011: Brad Miller, 27 points
2009-2010: Rob Lewis, 24 points
2008-2009: Rob Lewis, 35 points
2007-2008: Rob Lewis, 38 points
2006-2007: Rob Lewis, 31 points
2005-2006: Shaun Markley, 37 points
2004-2005: Don Smith, 26 points
2003-2004: Don Smith, 26 points
2002-2003: Jon Perkins, 20 points
2001-2002: Eric Hawkins, 11 points

Most Goals in the Regular Season
2010-2011: Brad Miller, 13 goals
2009-2010: Rob Lewis & Will Hilsman, 13 goals
2008-2009: Rob Lewis, 22 goals
2007-2008: Rob Lewis, 20 goals
2006-2007: Rob Lewis, 18 goals
2005-2006: Shaun Markley, 24 goals
2004-2005: Brian Hurh, 16 goals
2003-2004: Brian Hurh, 16 goals
2002-2003: Jon Perkins, 15 goals
2001-2002: (tie) Chris Baxter & Eric Hawkins, 6 goals

Most Assists in the Regular Season
2010-2011: Brad Miller, 14 assists
2009-2010: Chris Deutsch, 12 assists
2008-2009: Brad Miller, 14 assists
2007-2008: Rob Lewis, 18 assists
2006-2007: Rob Lewis, 13 assists
2005-2006: Brian Hurh, 17 assists
2004-2005: Justin "Whitey" Herzog, 13 assists
2003-2004: (tie) Eric Hawkins & Don Smith, 11 assists
2002-2003: Eric Hawkins, 11 assists
2001-2002: (tie) Eric Hawkins, Bram Kadonoff & Dan Rockwell, 4 assists

Most PIM in the Regular Season
2010-2011: Kevin Fillinich & Drew Walsh, 32 PIM
2009-2010: John Minton, 48 PIM
2008-2009: Rob Lewis, 78 PIM
2007-2008: Lexie Lewis, 35 PIM
2006-2007: Shaun Markley, 29 PIM
2005-2006: Larry Pociask, 33 PIM
2004-2005: Jon Sambur, 26 PIM
2003-2004: Mike Laing, 14 PIM
2002-2003: Rob Singer, 22 PIM
2001-2002: Darren Dianda, 36 PIM

Team-voted Awards

3 nominees determined by the team captain(s). Winner chosen by team vote. Awards were not handed out in the 2008-2009 season.

Mark Garibotto Award - Team MVP in the regular season
2010-2011: Brad Miller & Cory Waldron
2009-2010: Rob Lewis
2008-2009: N/A
2007-2008: Rob Lewis
2006-2007: Brian Hurh

This was Brian's third consecutive year winning this award - and it was much deserved. As evidenced in the payoffs, we were never as strong as we where when Brian was on the ice. Just like past two years - play, his hustle, and his leadership were an inspiration to us all.

This was by far the most contested award on this year's ballot. Shaun and Brian were neck-and-neck until the very end. And Pat wasn't far behind. But in the end, Brian's leadership, hustle, and unselfish play made him very deserving of his second consecutive Garibotto Award.

Any one of the nominees could have won this award. Don, as always, was a force throughout the season. And Jon was a stalwart on defense. But it was Brian who deservedly wins the award, racking up a personal best 26 points and scoring many, many clutch goals.

Don Hill Award - Playoff MVP (including league championships in Toronto when appropriate)
2010-2011: Chris Deutsch & Cory Waldron
2009-2010: Cory Waldron
2008-2009: N/A
2007-2008: N/A
2006-2007: Rob Lewis

Just like the regular season, Rob was the leading team point getter in the playoffs. His ability to put the puck in the back of the net was key in getting us to the playoffs and the second round. We couldn't have done it without him.

Talk about clutch! During the playoffs, Shaun had four of the five game winning playoff goals - and he was getting clobbered the entire time! Along with Brian and Larry, Shaun's line was truly the most potent in Invaders history.

Brian continued his fantastic play into the Playoffs, leading perhaps the most potent line in Invaders history. Linemate Dave "The Ninja" Kashihara was brilliant among the way and goalie Pat Courter was stellar in the first two games, allowing only 1 goal per game.

Rob Singer Award - Most Valuable Defenseman
2010-2011: Lexie Lewis
2009-2010: Lexie Lewis
2008-2009: N/A
2007-2008: Forrest Wilder
2006-2007: Lexie Lewis

I'm not sure how Lexie will feel when he reads this, but when I watched the 2007 Stanley Cup Playoffs and saw Rob Neidermeyer, it actually reminded me a little bit of Lexie on the ice for the Invaders. One word comes to mind: dominating - both with the puck and without it.

It's a familiar sound. First a stick hits the ice on a slap shot. And then, soon after, the sound of the puck bouncing off Amit's padding (hopefully not bone!). It's too bad there isn't a league statistician because there was no way that ANYONE came close to Amit when it came to throwing his body out to block a shot. Tack on his tenacity and unwillingness to be satisfied with his own play and you have someone very deserving of the team's most valuable defensemen award.

Jon was a defensive leader the whole season, shutting down teams and scoring with his blistering slap-shot. Few would dispute his claim to this award.

Whitey Award - Best Defensive Forward
2010-2011: Brian Hurh
2009-2010: Will Hilsman
2008-2009: N/A
2007-2008: Rob Stanley
2006-2007: Pat Winter

I can't think of a guy that's more deserving of this award - and the votes showed it. No one was faster in getting back defensively and more willing to take on a defensive role than Pat. He was the clear winner for this award. I relinquish my hold on this one!

It's my fourth year winning this award and I greatly appreciate it, though I'm not entirely sure I'm deserving. Brian was great in hustling to get back and Bram was a BULL when he got his feet going. I feel that either of these guys could have won this one.

It's my third year winning this award and I greatly appreciate it. Chris Baxter's "new legs" in getting back were amazing at times, though. And Mike Laing, probably one of the best skaters on the team and a true forward to boot, was a fantastic in playing defense when needed.

Rookie of the Year Award
2010-2011: Matt Gill

Bram Kadonoff Award - Player who puts forth the most effort game after game regardless of individual stats
2010-2011: Steve Lefferts
2009-2010: Keith Shepherd
2008-2009: N/A
2007-2008: Amit Saha
2006-2007: (tie) Steve Lefferts & Amit Saha

Steve has come a long way since joining the team last summer. While he may not be a specialist out on the ice, it's tough to deny that he doesn't give his all - no matter where he's placed. As for Amit (and I say this every year), if they kept stats on blocked shots, I don't think there would be anyone in the LEAGUE who would come near him. That says a LOT!

One guy who really showed his heart this season was Alex. Skating hard on every shift and giving it all while battling in the corners where trademarks of Alex's play throughout the year. Steve and Dave were great at times in their hustle for loose pucks as well.

Ben, an Invaders rookie that had rarely played D before joining us, picked up the position like he had always played there. And the intensity in his eyes and in his play proved him to be a deserving winner of this award.

Lady Gardiner Award - The player who most exerts sportsmanship combined with gentlemanly conduct
2010-2011: Keith Shepherd
2009-2010: Shaun Markley
2008-2009: N/A
2007-2008: Steve Lustbader
2006-2007: Forrest Wilder

Big Forrest was an incredible asset to the team this year. On the ice, he embodied the phrase "speak softly and carry a big stick, you will go far." I don't think Forrest ever had an opportunity to receive a penalty - simply because his sweeping stick kept pucks no where near an opponent's body. And in a year where penalties hurt us immensely, this was greatly appreciated.

I can't think of a nicer guy out on the ice than Dave. But that's not a knock against his play in any way. Dave truly exemplified the spirit of fair play - all the while skating hard and battling for the puck.

Amit's physical, while at the same time very clean play is something that we all could learn from. And it's been over a year since we've seen Don take a penalty (AMAZING!)

Courter Award - Player who best exemplifies the qualities of perseverance, sportsmanship and dedication to the sport (exerts the most determination to play hockey despite adversity)
2010-2011: Chris Deutsch
2009-2010: Steve Lustbader
2008-2009: N/A
2007-2008: Pat Courter
2006-2007: Pat Courter

One thing I know about Pat - you can count on him to show. This quality deserves an immense amount of respect and is something greatly appreciated in a goalie. Throw on the fact that he lives the furthest from the rinks AND has a daughter - that's dedication. Only Mike Laing has played in more Invader games.

The only player to give me a call at 4am in the morning to let me know he wasn't going to make a game! Pat's major surgery and willingness to make every game he could - despite intense pain at times - was an inspiration to us all. And I don't think anyone sacrificed more of his time to improve his game - playing in many pick-up games at ridiculous times. This is Pat's second consecutive year winning this award.

Pat was the exemplification of this award this season. He attended EVERY game, played in more pick-ups than ANY of us, and was always trying to get better. It showed. Pat ended the season with an 87% save percentage and 2 shutouts - both Invader records.

Kallio Trophy - most improved player over the course of the season
2010-2011: Keith Shepherd
2009-2010: Chris Deutsch
2008-2009: N/A
2007-2008: Dave O'Leary
2006-2007: Brendan Hart

Brendan, who up until this year was strictly a summer Invader, handled the transition to the pressure of winter with ease. His line of himself, Markley, and Winter showed itself to be especially potent as years of playing together paid off.

Virtually everyone attempted to give their all on every shift this year - but NO ONE did it as consistently and as aggressively as Bram. As soon as Bram lowered his head, everyone knew to expect a hard forecheck in the corner or an amazing effort on the backcheck. In the five years that Bram has been playing with the Invaders this was by far his best season - and EVERYONE wanted him on their line.

Where did THIS guy come from? Steve discovered a fire under his a** this season, skating stronger than ever and putting the puck in the net.

The "Get yo' Drank/Smoke On" Award
2006-2007: Jon Sambur

Uncle Jon provided many niceties to many of us following games. Thanks, Jon. (Next year, we really need to step up on this award. This team needs more drunkards.)

"Our Team! Red Hot! Big Balls!" Larry followed up his Drunken Hat-Trick of last year with and amazing and drunk performance at the Verizon Center. And I believe there were many, many other events during the course of the season that made Larry a deserving winner of the award.

The most prestigious award for an Invader to win, Larry did it with class. In an 11-2 drubbing of the Vikings, Larry was credited with a hat-trick while completely hammered. And he didn't even throw up. THAT is Varsity, BABY!

Leadership Award
2010-2011: Steve Lustbader
2009-2010: Steve Lustbader
2008-2009: N/A
2007-2008: (tie) Justin "Whitey" Herzog & Brian Hurh
2006-2007: Justin "Whitey" Herzog

Thanks, guys. Though Brian was the runner-up and I feel he deserved this award for all of his on-ice help. I think next year, I'm going to exclude myself.

Thanks, guys.

Thanks, guys.