Andrew Gladiuk wrapped up his career with the Nanaimo Clippers in style, taking home three awards at the club's year-end banquet on Wednesday night at Fairwinds Golf Resort.
The veteran Clippers forward was named the Clippers' scholastic player of the year, the team's most popular player as voted on by the fans and one for being Nanaimo's top scorer. Meanwhile, goaltender Billy Faust was named most valuable player and Josh Phillips received the coach's award among the 13 trophies handed out.
But it was Gladiuk who clearly left the biggest impact in his time in orange and black.
"Andrew's been a class act kid," said head coach and general manager Mike Vandekamp. "He carries himself with a professional demeanor, he's well liked by everyone he comes across. He's a good, honest player who had a good season this year and had a good career in this league."
Gladiuk finished his B.C. Hockey League career with 174 points (72 goals, 102 assists) in 181 games, all but two of which were played in Nanaimo. He was also named the team's most valuable player following the 2010-11 season. This past year he scored 59 points (29-30-59) in 59 games. He finishes his career fifth on the club's all-time leading scorer.
Other award winners included: Mason Blacklock (most improved), back up goalie Christopher Eiserman (most inspirational), captain Trevor Fitzgerald (top two-way player), Kyle Kramer (unsung hero), Luke Gordon (rookie of the year), Graeme McCormack (most valuable defenceman), Dan Correale (most exciting player) and Colton Dahlen (Lisa McPherson Memorial Award).
This year's MVP only had one season to leave his mark with the Clippers.
Vandekamp acquired the American goalie from the Penticton Vees prior to the season and the 21-year-old quickly earned the starter's job.
He finished the year as the team's most consistent player and kept them in the playoff hunt right up until the last couple of weeks of the season. He finished with a 23-25 record, a 2.86 goals against average and a.913 save percentage. His 3,000 minutes played were second in the BCHL to Surrey Eagles backstop Andrew Hunt (3,079).
But he meant more to the Clippers than just being a good goalie.
"The hole he is leaving behind isn't just because of the saves he makes but because of his personality and leadership qualities he brought to our team, those will be difficult to replace" said Vandekamp.
For the coaches award Vandekamp looked to a player he had worked with for three seasons, two of them as members of the Grande Prairie Storm in the Alberta Junior Hockey League. Phillips was a player that flew under the radar on the Clippers' blue-line but his role with the team as a veteran stay-at-home defenceman was huge.
"Watching him develop as a player . . . since I first met him when he was 18, he's come a long way," said Vandekamp. "He was a steady, reliable, low maintenance quiet guy."
The off-season is in full swing for the Clippers now with their spring cam May 11-12 at the Nanaimo Ice Centre.
NANAIMO CLIPPERS AWARDS
Most Valuable Player Billy Faust
Most Improved Mason Blacklock
Most inspirational Christopher Eiserman
Top two-way player Trevor Fitzgerald
Unsung hero Kyle Kramer
Rookie of the Year Luke Gordon
Most Valuable defenceman Graeme McCormack
Most exciting player Dan Correale
Most popular Andrew Gladiuk
Top scholastic Andrew Gladiuk
Lisa McPherson Memorial Colton Dahlen
Leading Scorer Andrew Gladiuk
Coach's Award Josh Phillips
