Bisons' Macaulay named MVP for second time

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U of M Bisons men's hockey player Blair Macaulay. (RUTH BONNEVILLE / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS ARCHIVES) Photo Store

Forward Blair Macaulay of the University of Manitoba Bisons has been named the 2021-2013 Canada West men's hockey most valuable player for the second straight year.

Macaulay, 24, is just the second player to repeat as conference MVP since the award's inception in 1978-1979 and is the just the second Manitoba Bisons player to earn the honour. Paul Deniset won it in 2004-2005.

He is Canada West's Sullivan Trophy nominee for the CIS Player of the Year.

In addition, Bisons forward James Henry, 21, was chosen as 2012-13 Canada West Most Outstanding Freshman.

Both Macaulay and Bisons defenceman Dane Crowley were named to the Canada West first all-star team while defenceman Jeremy Schappert and forward Tyler Dittmer were selected second team all-stars.

Macaulay, a Winnipeg native, finished the regular season tied for second in Canada West scoring with 35 points (12 goals and 23 assists) in 28 games. He was among the top 10 in the conference in numerous categories including assists (tied for second with 23), goals (tied for eighth with 12), plus/minus rating (tied for ninth with +16), power play assists (tied for eighth with eight), shots on goal (second with 103) and game-winning goals (tied for third with four).

"Blair is a quality person and student who is an excellent representative of the University of Manitoba and the CIS," said Bisons men’s hockey head coach Mike Sirant in a media release.

Macaulay has been a first-team all-star for three straight seasons.

"He is a highly competitive athlete who plays the game with passion and pride. His on-ice strengths are his speed, skill and vision but it is his ability to make plays at top end speed that make him a special player. Blair's leadership style is to lead by example as he is highly respected for his exceptional work ethic in practices, games and in the gym."

In his first Bisons season, Henry was third in conference rookie scoring with 22 points (eight goals and 14 assists) in 28 regular season games. The Winnipeg native was the top Canada West rookie and tied for sixth overall with three game winning goals in 2012-13 season.

"The Manitoba Bisons were thrilled to recruit James Henry for the 2012-13 season because of his potential to immediately be an impact player. James more than fulfilled our expectations and is a very deserving winner of the Canada West Rookie of the Year Award," Sirant stated.

"James played a key role centering one of the Bison's top lines and made an important contribution on our successful power play and penalty killing units. He is a complete player who has an excellent understanding of the game plus is tough and relentless defensively while having the skill, vision and patience to make great offensive plays."