Photo Credit: Chris Uhl

GEORGE NAMED MVP; KOOK NAMED COACH OF YEAR2010-03-02

After making history for the University of Saskatchewan women’s hockey program in 2009-10, Huskies Breanne George and Steve Kook were honoured by the Canada West Tuesday with major awards.

George, a third-year forward from Saskatoon, was named the Canada West Most Valuable Player, while Kook, in his fifth season behind the bench, was named the Canada West Coach of the Year.

A highlight reel player for the Canada West throughout the season, George scored a conference-high 28 goals and 18 assists in 24 games. Throughout the season she has been a thorn in opponent’s backs scoring multiple goals in eight games this season including six in one weekend. She had five game winning goals throughout the season. Her 28 goals tied the all-time Canada West goals scored in a single season record.

"Breanne has always been an offensive threat for us,” said Kook. “This season she's been able to stay consistent while playing against other team's top defensive lines. Moving to centre this season, Breanne was able to adapt quickly and is not only just our best offensive player but was solid defensively this season with a +28. Quick to attribute her success to her teammates, she has made her teammates better as five other players who have been on her line have had their career seasons. Simply put, Breanne has been our most consistent player and our team MVP."

The Kinesiology student has been named Huskie Athletics athlete of the week three times this season, Canada West Female Athlete of the Week twice and the CIS Female Athlete of the Week twice. George was also named a Canada West First Team All-Star Tuesday.

In her short career, George was a Canada West Second Team All-Star in 2008-09 and finished the season with 96 career points and 53 career goals.

It is the second time in three years, Kook has been named the Canada West Coach of the Year. This season he led the team to a program-best 16-5-3 record. They finished just one point behind the second place team.

Highlights for the team in the season came in a sweep over the University of Manitoba Bisons, being ranked in the CIS Top 10 for the entire season with the highest being No. 7 and starting the season 6-0. Kook has had seven players be named Canada West All-Stars during his tenure.

“Steve is a wonderful example of the type of coach we have here at the University of Saskatchewan,” said UofS Athletic Director Basil Hughton. “He is hardworking, a leader, dedicated and has true commitment to take the women’s hockey program to the next level. This all translates to his players and the types of athletes he brings to the program. Steve is well-deserving of this award. It is a true accomplishment to win this award twice in three years. Congratulations, Steve.”

In his five seasons with the Huskies he has been behind the bench for 50 wins, 10 more than the Huskies had in the first eight years of the programs existence. Kook joined the Huskies in 2005-06 as a part-time coach and in 2008-09 he was named the first-ever full-time women’s hockey coach at the UofS. In 2007-08, Kook was named Canada West Coach of the Year after guiding the Huskies to a 12-9-3 record and third place in the Canada West – three placings higher than a year earlier. The Huskies have finished third in the Canada West since then.

Julie Paetsch was also named a Canada West Second Team All-Star Tuesday. Paetsch, who is in her first season with the Huskies after spending time with the University of Regina Cougars, finished the season with 10 goals and 26 assists. She sat third in conference scoring and second on the Huskies.

The Huskies season came to an end after losing to the University of Manitoba Bisons in the best-of-three Canada West semifinal February 25-27. It was a close series with the Huskies winning Game 2 by a 2-1 margin. It was the first playoff win for the team since 2003-04.

Both George and Kook are in the running for the awards at the CIS level. George is also now eligible to be named a CIS All-Canadian. Both will be announced at the CIS awards ceremony on March 11.

Awards
Player of the Year: Breanne George, Saskatchewan
Rookie of the Year: Caitlin MacDonald, Manitoba
Marion Hilliard Award nominee: Stacey Corfield, Manitoba
Coach of the Year: Steve Kook, Saskatchewan

All-Stars
First Team                                                Second Team
F: Breanne George, Saskatchewan         Addie Miles, Manitoba
F: Tarin Podloski, Alberta                           Tamara Pickford, UBC
F: Leah Copeland, Alberta               Julie Paetsch, Saskatchewan
D: Caitlin MacDonald, Manitoba               Rayna Cruickshank, UBC
D: Nicole Pratt, Alberta                             Andrea Boras, Alberta
G: Stacey Corfield, Manitoba                   Dana Vinge, Alberta

Full Canada West Awards/AllStars Release