For Trevor Esau, the jump from junior B to junior A hockey was not without its trials and tribulations.
He left a team that last season won the Keystone Cup Western Canadian junior B championship to join a Prince George Spruce Kings team that ended up last overall this season in the B.C. Hockey League.
While losing games was never easy to accept, Esau, an 18-year-old defenceman, carved himself a niche with his new team as a tough, punishing blueliner with a relentless work ethic. As a result, the six-foot-four, 210 pound native of Abbotsford was named the Spruce Kings' most valuable player, and also earned the team's most dedicated player award.
Forward Jeff Earnest, who will play NCAA Division 1 hockey net season at Alaska-Fairbanks, earned the nod as winner of the team's seventh player (coaches) award. Earnest proved his versatility in all situations on special teams and in his regular shifts and finished fourth in team scoring with six goals and 16 assists in 54 games. Earnest is from Anchorage, Alaska.
Forward Jujhar Khaira, a Michigan Tech recruit for 2012-13, was the Kings' top rookie and leading scorer. The 16-year-old native of Surrey led the Kings with 42 points (10 goals and 32 assists) in 58 games. He was also an Interior Conference nominee for rookie of the year.
Connor Tiechko, an 18-year-old from Chilliwack who centred a line with Earnest and Kyle Manlow, was the Kings' most improved player. Tiechko was at his best in the second half of the season, after the trade deadline, when he emerged as a scoring threat while totaling 13 goals and 13 assists in 58 games.
Chase Golightly was a late addition to the Kings roster, called up in January from Fernie of the KIJHL, and he helped plug the gap on the blueline when the Kings traded Justin Fillion to Victoria. In 26 games, the 18-year-old from Temecula, Calif., totalled two goals and 11 assists.
Isaac Davies, a 17-year-old defenceman from Smithers, captured the Kings scholastic player of the year award. Davies was on the Principal's List and scored 1,740 of his Scholastic Achievement Test, needed for entrance into a U.S. college program.
Kings' goalie Kirk Thompson, who was spectacular in the team's late but unsuccessful push for a playoff spot, won the Craig Dzuiballe Memorial Award for outstanding community service.
Kerry McIntyre, who co-ordinated the elementary school cheer-offs and was a regular at the rink on game nights, was picked as the club's volunteer of the year.
