Admirals present awards as part of annual wrap-up banquet

The Amherstburg Admirals held their year-end awards banquet May 17 at Royal Canadian Legion Fort Malden Br. 157 in Amherstburg.

Another Amherstburg Admirals season came to an end Sunday night as the local Provincial Junior Hockey League (Jr. C) held its annual sponsorship, volunteer and player appreciation wrap-up banquet.

Capping off the 2025-26 season at Royal Canadian Legion Fort Malden Br. 157, there were a pair of double award winners this year in goalie Bennett Horrocks who took both the Rookie of the Year honours along with Most Three Stars selections.

Forward Stefan Djordjevic’s 38 points during the regular campaign garnered him the plaque for leading scorer and his 13 goals in the post season was rewarded with the MVP in the playoffs.

Captain Drew Booker was the recipient of the regular season MVP.

“He is an awesome leader and the guy who everyone wants on their team,” said departing head coach Zack Gervais.

Gervais led the Admirals to a 15-21-6-0 record during the season and a first-round playoff win over the Mooretown Flags.

Taking home the Best Defenceman Award was veteran Jake Goudreault who led all blueliners in scoring with 23 points.

“He was definitely our backbone back there,” noted Gervais.

Goudreault is expected to lead a strong defence corps this fall which probably will not include rookie Holden Wiley who it was announced is expected to move up to the LaSalle Vipers Jr. B hockey team.

Wiley, along with veteran Finnigan Russett, were named the winners of the Community Service Award.

Others taking home hardware Sunday night were Volunteer of the Year Dylan Bezaire, and Coaches Award went to rookie Liam Tiessen.

“Sometimes it’s a thankless job but it’s greatly appreciated,” said team owner Greg Crain of the work volunteers do behind the scenes.

Crain also thanked the generous sponsors and parents for their support all year long.

“It does take a village to run a hockey club,” he said.

Admirals GM Andrew Sykes was gracious in his comments to the coaching and support staff, saying, “when you are a group that gets along, you have comradery.”

Paul Bortignon returns to coach the Admirals this year and he inherits a team that has won the first round of the playoffs the past two years.

“Being trusted to lead this group was an honour. The success we had the last two years did not come by accident,” said Gervais.

Admirals present awards as part of annual wrap-up banquet

By Fred Groves