Chadwick highlights Contacts 2021-22 team awards

Some of season's best performers earned some recognition, coaches and players alike played a role in handing out the annual Contacts team awards.

All awarded at the team's wind-up were the most valuable player, rookie of the year, Gerry Adams scholastic award, coaches choice award, players choice award, most improved player award and spirit award.

Counted upon all season long, Noah Chadwick was named the most valuable player and top defensive player of the year, as well as the leading scorer award after registering 45 points in 42 games — the most by a Contacts defenceman since the 2010-11 season. 

After each being standouts in their first-years with the team, Chase Wutzke and Zach Moore were named the team’s rookies of the year. Wutzke was relied upon all season long to be the number-one between the pipes and the Red Deer Rebels selection finished the season with a 17-14-1 record. Meanwhile, Zach Moore was a consistent force down the middle of the ice, as the Saskatoon Blades selection finished third on the Contacts in points with 39 and first in goals with 22. 

Berk Catton joined the team midway through the season and made an instant impact en route to earning the coaches choice award. Catton, who was the first-overall pick in the 2022 WHL Draft, registered 41 points in 21 regular-season games and finished first in the SMAAAHL in points-per-game.

Fellow rookie Kanye Huang was honoured with the Gerry Adams Scholastic Award thanks to his strong performance in the classroom. On top of his scholarly success, Huang registered 28 points in 33 games in his first season as a Contact.

Braeden Jockims was honoured with the players choice and spirit awards. The 2005-born forward was a leader on and off the ice for the Contacts, registering 27 points in 42 games. 

Morgan Tastad and Rowan Guest earned the most improved player awards. The pair of blue liners each made the leap to the SMAAAHL for the 2021-22 season and certainly grew into their roles as the season moved along anchoring the Contacts defence corps.

Catton and Chadwick were both unable to attend the wind-up, as each joined their respective WHL clubs in the Spokane Chiefs and Lethbridge Hurricanes for the confusion of the 2021-22 season.

Award Summary

Gerry Adams Scholastic Award – Kanye Huang

Leading Scorer Award – Noah Chadwick

Coaches Choice Award – Berkly Catton

Top Defensive Player Award – Noah Chadwick

Rookie of the Year Award – Chase Wutzke and Zach Moore

Most Valuable Player Award – Noah Chadwick

Spirit Award – Braeden Jockims

Most Improved Player Award – Morgan Tastad and Rowan Guest

Player’s Choice Award - Braeden Jockims