Manchester Metros Awards Night

Alistair Taylor, selected the club's Most Improved Player.

This past Wednesday night marked the first (and hopefully annual tradition) of the Manchester Metros Awards Night. It saw teammates from across all three teams come together for awards, long winded speeches, several laughs, and of course many pints. The location for the festivities was Manchester's Jabez Clegg Beer Hall.

To start the evening, current committee members discussed and presented the progress of the club over 2011/12 campaign. The club, which had entered the year with allowances was debt free. Also, as an organisation the club extended its boundaries via social media (Facebook, Twitter) to reach a broader audience. The Metros saw themselves competing abroad in an international friendly during March against UTB Hockey Team in the Czech Republic. While the brand of Manchester Metros will remain a small entity in comparison, British ice hockey has taken leaps and bounds forward to be recognised in mainland Europe.

Andrew Mackinnon (left), was the C team's clinical finisher.

The new committee for the 2012/13 season was introduced. Members who will retain their current position on the board are as follows: Matthew Rohani (Secretary), Shayne Langois (Vice-President), and Liam Jacques and Patrick Thomson (both as treasurers). Newcomers to the committee are Ben Brown was selected as President of the organisation, Andrew Mackinnon as Social Secretary, Dec Ryan and Benn Robinson who will both oversee the Kit Secretary role, and Scott Stevens appointed as Tour Secretary. Matthew Rohani's experience as a 2nd year secretary will hopefully be easier than his first. His positive attitude helped keep the club afloat all year long.

Alex Frewin (left), presented with B team MVP & MetroStar.

But tonight, was all about the members of an organisation that has grown monumentally within the last few years. The C team which was established this year mainly as a development competed in BUIHA's Division 3 North, finishing in a strong second place (only trailing Edinburgh Beagles). Self-proclaimed M3tros, were headed by their clinical finisher, Andrew Mackinnon, who peppered goalies for 8 goals and 10 assists. His partners in crime were the speedy Jack Walker and the finesse hands of Ashaan Waithe-Bousquet.

The Metros B team struggled to keep healthy, but finished middle of the road in Division 2 North. Led by physical play, the team was matched against some of the best import players. Their main spark was in captain, Mark Szepes, who was the team's main offense. The B team had several players make the leap to the A team to fill empty voids. Both John and Chris Brumby helped the short-manned A team win crucial points away at Newcastle. The goalie for that night was also a B team member, William Wells. On two occasions Alex Frewin found himself playing extended minutes versus Newcastle and Sheffield (both at home).

Martin Klefas-Stennett, Del Perona Honour winner.

Rounding out the organisation's teams, the Metros crème de la crème A team, finished top of the table in Division 1 North and added a regular season title to their accolades. The star-studded team was held together by goalie Robyn Maby who continually lent her skills to game-winning saves. The most memorable is her glove save against Sheffield Bears in the final game of the season. Her save protected the team's 4-2 lead and eventually made way for team to be crowned regular season champions as Edinburgh Eagles couldn't prevail against Newcastle.

Moving on, the awards began.

Individual Awards: (Winners in bold-faced italics)
Most Improved Player -- Alistair Taylor, Jessica Vigne, Tom Jones
Most Valuable Player (A) -- Tom Wilson, Max Drakeley, Robyn Maby
Most Valuable Player (B) -- Alex Frewin, Mark Szepes, Oliver Wallace
Most Valuable Player (C) -- Ashaan Waithe-Bousquet, Stephen Harvey, Jack Walker
Katy "Goon" Holliday Award -- Shayne Langlois, Richard Renshaw, Jonathan Brumby
Best Offensive Defenseman -- Gino Poulin, Max Drakeley, Jonathan Brumby
Best Two-Way Forward -- Tom Wilson, Allen Gunn, Jack Walker
Dick of the Year -- Michael Zyczkowski (Playing with a broken stick at Nationals)
MetroStar -- Kieren De'Ath, Chris Brumby, Alex Frewin
Del Perona Honour -- Martin Klefas-Stennett

The Division 1 Team celebrates their successful campaign.

Team Honours:
Chairman's Trophy -- Metros A Team (Regular Season Champions, Playoff Champions)
Top Goalscorer (A) -- Joe Holder
Top Goalscorer (B) -- Mark Szepes
Top Goalscorer (C) -- Andrew MacKinnon
Top Points Scorer (A) -- Allen Gunn
Top Points Scorer (B) -- Mark Szepes
Top Points Scorer (C) -- Andrew MacKinnon

Following the completion of the awards, teammates mulled around chatting with others, finishing drinks, and buying more. The party moved to the usual Metros hangout, Courtyard for further indulgence. A successful year, concluded in a successful awards night. Congratulations to all teams!

Photos courtesy of MJ Photography.