DeJong, Noyes double winners in 2007-08
Pat Payton, Sports editor If coach Merlin Malinowski picked a St. Marys Lincolns’ all-star team from the past five years, it’s certain that Tyson DeJong would be on it.
DeJong and 2007-08 teammate Mike Noyes were double trophy winners last Friday night as the Western Ontario Hockey League club held its annual team awards banquet at the community centre.
DeJong, a team co-captain this season, was named the Lincs’ playoff most valuable player, and shared the D.R. Stevens’ leadership award with fellow veteran Scott Mezenberg.
When Malinowski went to the podium, he gave the 20-year-old Lucan native the highest of tributes.
“When Tyson came to training camp three years ago as a walk-on, I kept seeing this kid with green socks flying around,” the coach recalled. “He made our team that year, and then just got better and better and better.
“As I’ve watched him grow over the last three years, he’s become the embodiment of what I like to see in a hockey player. When I judge players now, I look for a lot of the things I see in him.
“He just has a huge desire to succeed. I admire your competitiveness, your heart, and the way you approach things and life. You’re going to be a huge success in your life.”
Malinowski said “without a doubt” DeJong was the team’s playoff MVP. DeJong returned the praise, calling Malinowski the best coach he’s ever played for.
“I just wish we could have gone a little further (in the playoffs) this year,” the rugged forward said. “I had a good three seasons here, and I really enjoyed it.
“I hope all the young guys coming up learn as much from Merlin as I did, and I wish the team the best of luck in future years.”
Top defenceman
Talented Mike Noyes played just one season in St. Marys, but definitely left
his mark. At the WOHL awards banquet in mid-February, the 19-year-old Lucan
native received the Caley Cup as the league’s player-of-the-year. A first
all-star team selection, he was also named the WOHL’s top defenceman.
Last Friday, Noyes added two Lincolns’ awards to his 2007-08 collection. The
co-captain accepted the David Baynes Memorial Trophy as the team’s top
defenceman, and the Harold Maxwell Trophy as Lincs’ top regular-season
scorer (27 goals, 71 points).
“It was a great year and lots of fun,” Noyes said. “I had pretty good
success, but I owe it mostly to my teammates. It’s easy to put pucks in the
net when you’re getting good passes all the time.
“All in all, it was a great year, a great team and great coaches, and I had
a great time.”
Next season, Noyes joins the University of Ontario Institute of Technology
(UOIT) men’s hockey team (in Oshawa) on an athletic scholarship.
“I look forward to contributing to a good, new young team there as well,” he
added.
Brodhagen season MVP
Goalie Kyle Brodhagen won the Frank Edye Award as regular-season MVP.
The 19-year-old Sebringville native won the No. 1 job in training camp, and
went on to post 22 wins, a league-leading three shutouts, and a 2.45
goals-against average.
“I’ve never won a team award before, but I’ll take it,” said Brodhagen, who
admitted to being “surprised” when his name was called.
The goaltender said he “loved” his year in St. Marys and plans on returning
next season. “It’s the best Junior team I’ve played for so far . . . and I
love the colour green.”
Bourne thanked
New Lincs’ general manager Warren Nye thanked former GM Bill Bourne, who is
staying on with the team as a ‘Staff Assistant.’ Nye describes Bourne as a
“valuable person to have in the organization.”
Nye also thanked the five Lincolns who went overage this year: Mike Gillen,
Tyson DeJong, Jeff Silver, Scott Mezenberg and utility player Chad Snell, as
well as the coaches, trainers and equipment handlers.
The GM said he also admired DeJong for the way the veteran forward combined
Jr. B hockey and his university studies, travelled back and forth from
school in Kitchener-Waterloo to games and practices, and then “took it to
another level in the playoffs.”
Nye summed up that a “good core group” of players is returning for the
2008-09 season. “That’s what builds team. I believe we’re going to have a
very good team next season,” he said.
Team banquet notebook:
—Mayor Jamie Hahn, the ‘Voice of the Lincolns’ as the team’s public address
announcer, brought greetings from the town.
“I’d like to thank this team for all the excitement and entertainment that
you have provided to the people of St. Marys and area again this year,” the
mayor said.
—MC Ed Parkinson said Lincs are a “small-market team” which takes a “lot of
hard work and volunteers” to successfully operate the team each year.
—Lincolns’ GM Warren Nye expects 85 to 90 prospects at the team’s upcoming
evaluation camp, Apr. 25-27.
—Lincs’ 25th annual golf tournament and $25,000 Elimination draw are being
held Saturday, May 31 at St. Marys Golf and Country Club.
The golf tourney will again be a four-person scramble, with a 12 noon
shotgun start. It’s $100 per person, and ladies and mixed groups are
welcome.
—Lincolns’ defenceman Greg Noyes recently had a tryout with a Provincial
Tier II Jr. A team in Surrey, B.C.
However, his plans for next season are still not finalized.
—Tecumseh Chiefs (Western), Elmira Sugar Kings (Midwestern) and Thorold
Blackhawks (Golden Horseshoe) are playing a double round-robin playoff
format, with the top two teams meeting in a best-of-seven championship
series for the Sutherland Cup and Jr. B supremacy.
The first two games were this past weekend. Tecumseh won 4-3 in overtime
Friday night in Thorold. Blackhawks fell to 0-2 when they lost 6-3 in Elmira
Sunday night.