The Spokane Braves announced this season’s award winners on Friday night at our annual banquet. In honor of our 50th season in the Kootenay International Junior Hockey League, we have decided to name 6 of our 7 awards after individuals who have made an impact on our program or who have gone on to do bigger things after being with our organization.
The awards this season were voted on by the players and coaching staff.
Gail Holden – Scholastic Player of the Year Award
Gail Holden coached the Spokane Flames during the 1983-84 season, posting our best record of 34-6. Gail previously played for the Spokane Jets and Flyers for 9 seasons before becoming an attorney. Gail not only pushed the players on the ice, but off the ice as he encouraged them to do well in school and go to college after playing for the Spokane Flames.
The Gail Holden Scholastic Player of the Year Award is awarded to the player who is best able to combine success on the ice with success in school. All players in high school and college with a class load of at least 10 credit hours are eligible for the award.
The 2023-2024 Gail Holden Scholastic Player of the Year is Lance Buell.
Dennis LaRue – Most Sportsmanlike Player Award
Dennis LaRue played for us as Spokane Flame before becoming a referee in the KIJHL. Dennis would become an NHL official in 1990, where he officiated 1280 games until his retirement in 2016. Dennis is currently the USHL Director of Player Safety and has previously served as the president of SAYHA.
The Dennis LaRue Most Sportsmanlike Player award is awarded to the player who has best combined the ability to compete at high levels while maintaining respect for the game, the officials, and opposing players.
The 2023-2024 Dennis LaRue Most Sportsmanlike Player of the Year is Mason Lochten.
Scott Parker – Ironman Award
Scott Parker played for us during the 1994-1995 season before heading to the Kelowna Rockets of the WHL. Scott was drafted by the New Jersey Devils in 1996 as the 63rd overall pick, he re-entered the NHL draft in 1998 and was selected 20th overall by the Colorado Avalanche. Scott would earn the nickname “The Sheriff” due to his reputation of being a feared fighter and an enforcer. Scott was a part of the 2000-2001 Colorado Avalanche Stanley Cup Championship team.
The Scott Parker Ironman Award is awarded to a player who makes and participates in every practice, off-ice training, team event, and game during the season.
The 2023-2024 Scott Parker Ironman Award winner is Tie Schumacher.
Jim Ewers Defenseman of the Year
Jim Ewers played for us four seasons as a defenseman before heading to WSU to finish his business degree. Jim has been a big supporter of youth hockey in the area, he has served as the president of SAYHA. Jim has also been a board member for Eagles Ice Arena for six years and has been elected board president twice.
The Jim Ewers Defenseman of the Year is awarded to the player who had the largest impact on the defensive part of the game. This includes play in the defensive zone, physical play, back-checking, and other intangibles related to defense.
The 2023-2024 Jim Ewers Defenseman of the Year is Joey Epkey.
Derek Ryan Rookie of the Year Award
Derek Ryan played for us from 2002-2004 before joining the Spokane Chiefs for three seasons. After finishing out with the Spokane Chiefs, Derek would play for the University of Alberta Golden Bears for four seasons. Once Derek got his degree as a pharmacist, he went to play in Europe for 4 years before making his NHL debut at the age of 29 with the Carolina Hurricanes.
The Derek Ryan Rookie of the Year award is awarded to a first-year player (regardless of age – who has not played Canadian Junior A or American Junior A Tier 1) as voted by the players and coaches. The winner of this award will contribute to the team on and off the ice and has a good attitude towards teammates, coaches, and organization.
The 2023-2024 Derek Ryan Rookie of the Year is Zach Baumann.
Spokane Braves Players Player
The Spokane Braves Players Player is awarded to any player on the team as voted by the players. The winner of this award best exemplifies what it means to be a team player and a Spokane Brave. This player always puts his team and teammates first and will do all he can to make everyone around him better people and players.
The 2023-2024 Spokane Braves Players Player is Karsen Kendall.
Buddy Bodman Most Valuable Player
Buddy Bodman was our head coach for 9 seasons during four different stints with the Spokane Rockets, Spokane Flames and the Spokane Braves. Under Coach Bodman, we would get our first KIJHL banner as East Division Champions for the 78/79 season as the Spokane Flames. Before becoming our coach Buddy played 7 seasons for the Spokane Jets, and he was a part of the 1969-1970 Spokane Jets team, who became the first U.S. team to win the Allan Cup.
The Buddy Bodman Most Valuable Player award is awarded to any player on the team as voted by the coaching staff. The winner will have had the largest impact on the team on and off the ice in a positive way. Winning this award should encompass dedication to the team, putting teammates, coaches, and the organization first, maximum efforts at the player’s position and contribution to the team being victorious.
The 2023-2024 Buddy Bodman Most Valuable Player of the Year is Andrew Tworkowski.
The 2023-2024 Spokane Braves Player Awards Winners
Gail Holden Scholastic Player – Lance Buell
Dennis LaRue Most Sportsmanlike Player – Mason Lochten
Scott Parker Ironman Award – Tie Schumacher
Jim Ewers Defenseman of the Year – Joey Epkey
Derek Ryan Rookie of the Year – Zach Baumann
Players Player – Karsen Kendall
Buddy Bodman Most Valuable Player – Andrew Tworkowski
