Whalers hand out awards at banquet

The Plymouth Whalers concluded the 2007-08 season with a banquet Monday evening at Ginopolis on the Ice Restaurant in Plymouth.

The following players received awards:

REGULAR SEASON MOST VALUABLE PLAYER and LEADING SCORER– Chris Terry – A draft choice of the National Hockey League’s Carolina Hurricanes, Terry led the Whalers with 44 goals and 57 assists for 101 points and was +12 in 68 games. Terry is currently playing with Albany of the American Hockey League.

DEFENSEMAN of the YEAR – Brett Bellemore – A veteran defenseman and Carolina Hurricanes draft who was often paired against the top lines in the OHL, Bellemore scored six goals with 18 assists for 24 points this season. Bellemore is currently playing with Albany of the American Hockey League.

HUMANITARIAN of the YEAR – Wes Cunningham – Veteran defenseman who has been active in the Whalers’ community relations efforts for the last three seasons. Cunningham scored six goals with 43 assists for 49 points in 55 games this year.

ROOKIE of the YEAR – Michal Jordan – Acquired from Windsor in November, Jordan became an integral part of the Whalers blue line group. Jordan scored six goals with 22 assists for 28 points and was +2 on the season. Jordan is expected to be selected in the National Hockey League Entry Draft this summer in Ottawa.

LABATT BLUE COLLAR PLAYER of the YEAR – Kaine Geldart – Plymouth fans loved Geldart’s grit, work ethic and never-say-die attitude on the ice. Geldart’s play reminded many of former Whaler Jared Boll, now with the Columbus Blue Jackets. Geldart scored a career-high 13 goals with 25 assists for 38 points and 99 PIM’s in 68 games this season.

UNSUNG PLAYER of the YEAR – Andrew Fournier – Plymouth captain enjoyed his best offensive season with 35 goals and 40 assists for 75 points. Fournier is now playing with Norfolk of the American Hockey League.

MOST IMPROVED PLAYER of the YEAR – Joe Gaynor – A solid defensive forward who received extended ice time for the first time in his career. Gaynor scored a career-high nine goals with 10 assists for 19 points in 66 games this season.

ACADEMIC PLAYER of the YEAR – AJ Jenks – Jenks’ intelligent play on the ice carried over into the classroom for the second straight season. Jenks – ranked 20th by the NHL’s Central Scouting Bureau – scored 26 goals with 29 assists for 55 points in 68 games this season.

ALICE IAFRATE AWARD as OVERAGE PLAYER of the YEAR – Andrew Fournier - Voted by the Whalers’ Off-Ice Officials.

PLAYOFF MOST VALUABLE PLAYER and LEADING SCORER – Chris Terry – Terry led the Whalers in the playoffs tallying a point in each of the four playoff games with four goals and three assists for seven points.


WHALERS BOOSTER CLUB AWARDS:

PLAYER of the YEAR – Chris Terry
PLAYER of the MONTH for March – Patrick Lee – Lee scored eight goals with four assists for 12 points in 12 games in March
FAN FAVORITE – Wes Cunningham
GRINDER of the YEAR – Kaine Geldart
SCHOLASTIC PLAYER of the YEAR – Josh Bemis – Bemis kept up with school while playing hockey and missing time due to surgeries

Photo: Plymouth right wing Kaine Geldart (left) meets with Whalers head coach Greg Stefan (right) during the Whalers' season-ending banquet Monday night at Ginopolis on the Ice. Photo by Walt Dmoch