Terriers’ Spiller, Murray honoured

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This article was published 08/03/2019 (2646 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Portage Terriers head coach and general manager Blake Spiller and defender Owen Murray recently won Manitoba Junior Hockey League awards.

The awards were announced by MJHL Commissioner Kim Davis on Feb. 22.

“Every player should be commended for their outstanding performance over the regular season,” said Davis. “Coaches of the league vote and make the selections. These selections are extremely difficult to make. The talent level in our league is reflective in how difficult it was to select these major awards.”

 

Terriers head coach Blake Spiller was named coach of the year, winning the Muzz McPherson Award.

As of Feb. 21, the Terriers were the MJHL’s leader with 41 wins after 55 games. Spiller’s accolades are many as he’s been twice named CJHL Coach of the Year, and is now a four-time winner of the MJHL Coach of the Year Award. He also coached the Terriers when they won the RBC Cup in 2015.

Under Spiller’s tutelage, the Terriers have graduated a number of players to both NCAA and CIS hockey programs.

“It’s always an honour to receive the award and it means the team has performed well up to this point of the season. As everyone knows the games get tougher when playoffs begin so hopefully we can continue to get better,” Spiller said in an email message.

Murray received the Rookie of the Year – Vince Leah Trophy. The 16-year-old from Decker, Man., has notched 36 points in 50 games.

Earlier this season he was named the IBAM Rookie of the Month in October and was one of five MJHL players invited to the selection camp for Team Canada West that was playing in the World Junior A Challenge.

Terriers forward Ty Barnstable was named to the MJHL’s second All Star team, while Murray, forwards Jay Bucholz and Reece Henry and goalie Nathan Moore were selected for the Rookie All Star team.

— Staff