Pictured L-R: Emma Backman, Mykayla Pylypow, Ava Cole, Maci Nowosad, Alexie Palchinski, Brooklyn Salewski, and Madison Guitard were recognized for their contributions this year at the Sharks year-end awards banquet. (Submitted photo/Battlefords AAA Sharks)

By Martin Martinson

Best of 2022

AAA Sharks celebrate team awards at year-end banquet

Apr 22, 2022 | 5:10 PM

The Battlefords AAA Sharks recently celebrated their 2021-2022 hockey season with their team year-end awards banquet.

Together players, coaches, and team supporters gathered together for the event, celebrating the best of the past season.

Emma Backman is awarded Team MVP, presented by head coach Ricci Girolami and team assistant, Kennedy Harris. (Submitted photo/Battlefords AAA Sharks)

Goaltender, Emma Backman, was named Team MVP after a standout season that saw the 17-year-old post a sparkling 2.50 goals-against average and .923 save percentage in 16 games.

Backman will make the jump to post-secondary hockey next year, with the University of Saskatchewan Huskies.

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Ava Cole is awarded Most Valuable Defensive Player. (Submitted photo/Battlefords AAA Sharks)

Blue liner, Ava Cole was named Most Valuable Defensive Player, after finishing the season tied for third in team scoring with 11 points, while also playing big minutes for the team on the back end.

The third-year Sharks standout will also make the jump to the college hockey ranks this fall, with the Lakeland College Rustlers.

Mykayla Pylypow is awarded Most Valuable Offensive Player. (Submitted photo/Battlefords AAA Sharks)

Fourth-year Glaslyn product, Mykayla Pylypow was named Most Valuable Offensive Player after finishing second on the team with a career-high five goals and 12 points.

Another fall commit to Lakeland College next season, Pylypow was quick to share credit with her teammates when asked about the award.

“It’s been a great honour to receive that award, and I’m very lucky to have such great teammates who worked so well together this year,” Pylypow said. “Hockey has been a passion of mine for some time and I’m looking forward to making an impact for the Rustlers next year.”

Alexie Palchinski is awarded Rookie of the Year. (Submitted photo/Battlefords AAA Sharks)

First-year forward, Alexie Palchinski, was named Rookie of the Year after leading the team with six goals and 13 points in her first year of U18 AAA, while forward Brooklyn Salewski, received Most Dedicated Player, third-year vet Madison Guitard, was presented the team’s Leadership Award, and defenceman, Maci Nowosad, was named Most Improved Player.

Brooklyn Salewski is awarded Most Dedicated Player. (Submitted photo/Battlefords AAA Sharks)

Madison Guitard is presented with the Sharks’ Leadership Award. (Submitted photo/Battlefords AAA Sharks)

Maci Nowosad is awarded Most Improved Player. (Submitted photo/Battlefords AAA Sharks)

Head coach, Ricci Girolami, said as they head into the spring, the players can hold their heads high for what they were able to accomplish this year with a bright future ahead.

“We competed with every team we played and in the playoffs we took one off of Swift Current, so the series went to four out of five [games]. So overall I thought it was a good season,” Girolami said. “Our rookies held their own and really competed throughout the year and we finished strong.”

Already looking ahead to next year, the Sharks will hold their spring camp this weekend at the Don Ross Arena in North Battleford.

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Martin.Martinson@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @MartyMartyPxP1