Whalers conclude season with banquet

The Plymouth Whalers concluded the 2011-12 season with an annual awards banquet held Thursday at CJ’s Brewing Company at Compuware Arena.

The following players received awards:

LEADING SCORER and MOST VALUABLE PLAYER, REGULAR SEASON: For the second consecutive year, left wing Stefan Noesen, who scored a career-best 38 goals with 44 assists for 82 points in 63 games.

REGULAR SEASON LEADING SCORER: Noesen, who scored a career-best 38 goals with 44 assists for 82 points in 63 games.

MOST VALUABLE PLAYER in the PLAYOFFS: Second-year forward Tom Wilson, who scored seven goals with six assists for 13 points and was +10 in 13 playoff games. Wilson is rated 15th overall for the 2012 National Hockey League Entry Draft.

BEST DEFENSEMAN: For the second consecutive season, Whalers captain Beau Schmitz, who scored a career-high 14 goals with 40 assists for 54 points and was +37 over 62 games.

MOST IMPROVED PLAYER: Veteran forward Alex Aleardi, who scored a career-high 36 goals with 29 assists for 65 points and was +28 in 65 games.

UNSUNG PLAYER OF THE YEAR: Defenseman Dario Trutmann, who scored six goals with 18 assists for 24 points and was +10 in 62 games.

BLUE COLLAR, HARDEST WORKING PLAYER: Schmitz, who received votes as in the Most Underrated Player, Best Offensive Defenseman and Best Defensive Defenseman in the annual OHL Western Conference Coaches Poll.

ROOKIE of the YEAR: Rookies Danny Vanderwiel and Matt Mistele share the award. Vanderwiel scored six goals with three assists for nine points in 42 games; Mistele scored three goals with two assists for five points in 33 games.

HUMANITARIAN of the YEAR: Defenseman Colin MacDonald, who led the Whalers Community Relations efforts with over 30 appearances.

ACADEMIC PLAYERS OF THE YEAR: For the second consecutive year, goaltender Matt Mahalak and right wing Tom Wilson (pictured above with associate coach Joe Stefan).

ALICE IAFRATE AWARD (Off-Ice Officials Overage of the Year): Defenseman Beau Schmitz, who completes his Plymouth career as the third leading scoring defenseman in franchise history. Schmitz also signed a free-agent contract with the National Hockey League's Carolina Hurricanes.

WHALERS BOOSTER CLUB AWARDS:

BARBARA MOHRLOCK MEMORIAL AWARD as FAN FAVORITE: Left wing Stefan Noesen.

SCHOLASTIC PLAYER of the YEAR: Goaltender Matt Mahalak and right wing Tom Wilson share the award.

GRINDER of the YEAR: Veteran center Michael Whaley

PLAYER OF THE MONTH: Goaltender Scott Wedgewood.

NEXT UP FOR THE WHALERS: Two Whalers – Tom Wilson and Cody Payne – are up for the National Hockey League Entry Draft, held June 22-23 in Pittsburgh. Before that, the Whalers will be holding their annual rookie orientation on May 19-20 at Compuware Arena.