The Lloydminster Bobcats are among the finalists for two Alberta Junior Hockey League (AJHL) awards.
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Forward Cooper Moore is up for the AJHL’s Rookie of the Year Award, while head coach, Jeff Woywitka, is up for Coach of the Year.
Moore is up against Vincent Filion of the Fort McMurray Oil Barons, Jack Plandowski of the Calgary Canucks, and Alex Scheiwiller of the Canmore Eagles.
“As we say, it’s not the size of the dog, it’s the size of the fight in the dog,” said Bobcats general manager Nigel Dube of the 5’7″ Red Deer native.
“We recruited Coop last year and got him late in the fall this year. He came in and had an instant impact. What’s more special for him is the fact he’s the only player in the league that’s had an NCAA Division 1 commitment since the rule changes.”
Moore committed to the Augustana Vikings NCAA Division 1 in South Dakota.
“He’s versatile up and down the lineup and he’s been able to play with everybody. He gets the best out of everybody,” said Dube.
“His versatility will help him in the long run, and I think he’s a fun player for the fans to watch. He’s a little guy but he’s mighty out there, which is great to see.”
Woywitka, however, competes with the Grande Prairie Storm’s Chris Scmidt, Canmore’s Andrew Milne and Kevin Hasselberg of the Drumheller Dragons.
“Jeff’s been with us for three years and this was his first year as a full-time head coach. I think he’s learned a lot as the season went on, he learned a lot about our players, and our players learned a lot about him,” said Dube.
“I think we’re getting the best from each other together; from the start we had to where we are today. Jeff is very active on the ice and loves that, and I think our guys love it, too,” added Dube.
“Being a finalist is an honour itself, but it would be great to see him get the award.”
Winners will be determined through a final stage of voting and announced after the completion of the regular season.
The Bobcats also start their first-round playoff run against the Grande Prairie Storm on the road on March 21. The best-of-seven series returns to the Centennial Civic Centre on March 25 and 26.
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