The Nipawin Hawks held their awards banquet Friday. (Clark Stork/northeastNOW Staff)

By Clark Stork

Season Celebration

Hawks handout hardware following playoff elimination

Mar 12, 2022 | 3:00 PM

The Nipawin Hawks held their annual awards banquet on Friday.

A total of 18 awards were handed out during the evening at the Legion Hall in Nipawin. Captain Cole Beamin capped his four-year career taking home the best defensive defenceman, most inspirational, community service, and most valuable player awards. He said the honours were a nice way to close his junior career.

“It was a good night,” Beamin said. “It wasn’t the year we wanted, but it was definitely a good year with the guys.”

The Saskatoon product added being named the Hawks’ MVP is an accomplishment he will admire for a long time.

“It’s an honour, it’s something I wanted to do since I got here. To kind of go down, not in history but it’s up there so you can always see it so that’s nice,” he said.

Made in Saskatchewan

Find My Plus One: The Canadian App for Getting Out and Living Your Best Life

Mar 09, 2026

Riderville

Ask Not for Whom the Ed Hervey Tampering Window Opens!

Feb 02, 2026

Seniors Scene

New Year - New Habits

Feb 02, 2026

Second-year Nipawin forward Rylan Lefebvre also had a big night collecting the rookie of the year [still eligible due to the COVID shortened season last year], best defensive player, top scorer, and first star awards. Lefebvre, 19, said being recognized for his season is gratifying.

“It feels really good, I came into the year really wanting to make a hard playoff push. That didn’t happen, but I came out and had some decent nights and got some awards.”

Rookie forward Jake Smith took home several awards as well. The 18-year-old Alhambra, Alta. product won most improved, most popular, and was named the inaugural ‘love of the game award in memory of Joel “Goobs” Verklan. Smith said receiving the honour from the Verklan family is special.

“I have been to their house many times, hanging out with Joel he always had a smile on his face. He was always positive. It’s people like that in this world we need and it’s an honour getting his award. I’d like to be the exact same, the guy people look up to and always has a smile on his face and lots of positivity. This means the world,” Smith said.

Other award winners included Ethan Tinevez being named most underrated. The most gentlemanly player was Maquire Ratzlaff, he also won the hardest worker award. Evan Bortis took home the best offensive defenceman award. Goaltender Harmon Laser-Hume was named the most dedicated player. Carson Dobson was named the no pain, no gain award winner thanks to his determination of playing through several injuries this season.

Christian Albertson was named the team’s third star award winner and Braxton Buckberger was awarded the second star honour.

–

clark.stork@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @ClarkStork