The Alexandria Blizzard held their end of the year banquet on Sunday, March 25th at Broadway Ballroom in Alexandria. The organization recognized players, coaches, volunteers, billet families, and the parents of each player during the reception and handed out end of the year awards to outstanding players. The following awards were announced:
Defensive Player of the Year: #22 Charlie Aus(Lino Lakes, MN) Recorded 24 points with 6 goals and 18 assist in 49 games with the Blizzard. Aus finished the regular season at +27.
Offensive Player of the Year: #25 Reid Sturos(Brighton, MI) Recorded 50 points with 21 goals and 29 assists in 54 games with the Blizzard. The Michigan Tech commit was +17 on the year.
Most Valuable Player: #33 Jacob Meyers(Minnetonka, MN) Played in 42 games for the Blizzard and finished the regular season with a record of 30-9-2. The Quinnipiac commit has 6 shutouts and was named NAHL Goalie of the Month twice this season.
Rookie of the Year: #23 Gage Torrel (Monticello, MN) The seventeen year old played in 53 games his first season with the Blizzard, recording 28 points. He was invited to participate in the 2012 NAHL Top Prospects tournament back in February as a member of the NAHL U18 team.
Blizzard Award: #17 Thomas Williams (Alexandria, MN) For the second year in a row Williams was recognized with the Blizzard Award for his outstanding play, leadership, and community service. Voted team captain by his teammates before the season, Thomas had 38 points and 19 goals in 45 games after sitting out the first 15 games due to injury.
Most Improved Player: #27 Grant Eichstadt (Hudson, WI) Over the course of the season Eichstadt has progressed to become a great contributor this year. His strong work ethic and positive attitude helped him work his way into the starting lineup this season. His high school team, St. Thomas Academy, won the state tournament last year and that experience will help the Blizzard in the playoffs this season.
The Blizzard take on the Austin Bruins in the first round of the NAHL Playoffs this Friday and Saturday night at the Runestone Community Center. In twelve games this season the Blizzard own a 7-5 record against the Bruins who will be making their first ever post season appearance. Games three and four of the five game series will take place on April 13th and 14th in Austin. Game times this weekend are set for 7:30pm. Tickets can be purchased at SuperAmerica on Nokomis St., at the rink the day of the game, or by calling 320-763-7600.