THUNDER BAY, Ont. – The Superior International Junior Hockey League announced Wednesday that Wyatt Cota of the Fort Frances Lakers and Kris Kellaway of the Thunder Bay North Stars have been named co-recipients of the SIJHL’s best defensive forward award for the 2014-15 season.
The duo edged out Jason Reynolds of the Minnesota Iron Rangers in voting done by each of the league’s member clubs.
This marks the third time in the 14-year history of the SIJHL that two players have shared top defensive forward laurels.
Cota, 20, who hails from Kingston, Ont., helped keep opposing shooters at bay with a solid work ethic with his efforts allowing Fort Frances to give up the fewest goals in the league this season.
He becomes the first Lakers player to capture the award since Blake Boaz back in 2010-11.
Cota led the Lakers in offensive production and also finished fifth overall in league scoring with 70 points on 20 goals and 48 assists.
As for Kellaway, the veteran North Stars team captain finished second among SIJHL skaters in shorthanded goals with four.
His 38 total points in 44 outings saw him notch 15 tallies and set-up 23 others.
Kellaway’s assist and point totals were also personal single-season highs for the Thunder Bay native, who is in his final year of Jr. A hockey.
He becomes the seventh North Stars player to earn this honour.
The following are the SIJHL’s all-time best defensive forward award recipients:
2014-15: Wyatt Cota, Fort Frances Lakers (Co-winner)
2014-15: Kris Kellaway, Thunder Bay North Stars (Co-winner)
2013-14: Jonathon Losurdo, Minnesota Iron Rangers
2012-13: Jeremy Johnson, Minnesota Wilderness
2011-12: Sam Dubinsky, Thunder Bay North Stars
2010-11: Blake Boaz, Fort Frances Lakers
2009-10: Ryan Magill, Fort William North Stars
2008-09: Cale Brown, Fort William North Stars (Co-winner)
2008-09: Mitch Cain, Fort Frances Jr. Sabres (Co-winner)
2007-08: Travis Jaspers, Fort William North Stars
2006-07: Jason MacMillan, Thunder Bay Bearcats
2005-06: Jordan Chong, Dryden Ice Dogs
2004-05: Matt Tryuba, Dryden Ice Dogs
2003-04: Cory Bruno, Fort William North Stars
2002-03: Tom Grant, Fort William North Stars
2001-02: Josh Baxter, Borderland Thunder (Co-winner)
2001-02: Tom Grant, Thunder Bay Bulldogs (Co-winner)