Tyson Jugnauth has been named the BCHL's top defenceman

Photo: Contributed

Tyson Jugnauth has become the first West Kelowna Warrior to be named the BC Hockey League's top defenceman.

Jugnauth was honoured Wednesday as the league handed out its year end hardware in advance of the two conference final series.

The second-year blueliner led all Interior Conference defencemen in scoring with nine goals and 41 assists in 52 games. The 41 assists are a new single-season team record.

“Tyson is a player who has always had the natural ability to take over the game offensively and this year he also rounded out his defensive side. I am excited to see what the future holds for Tyson," said Warriors head coach Simon Ferguson.

Jugnauth was also named a first-team all-star earlier this month. He is also the top rated BCHL skater for this summer's NHL dratt.

“This past year I’ve been able to go from strictly an offensive minded defenceman to a fully rounded defenceman” stated Jugnauth.

“Thank you to my coaches and my teammates for pushing me to be best I can be.”

Justin Schultz (2008 and 2009) and Brendan Ellis (2010), were named top defencemen in the Interior Conference before the BCHL went to league wide awards.

Earlier Wednesday, Salmon Arm goaltender Owen Say was named top netminder, the Penticton duo of Kaeden Lane and Carter Serhyenko won the award for lowest team goals against average, Matthew Wood of Victoria is the league's leading scorer,Cameron Johnson of Chilliwack the most sportsmanlike and Fred Harbinson of the Vees coach of the year.

Both conference finals are set to begin Friday night.

The Vees host the Warriors in games one and two Friday and Saturday, while Nanaimo host Langley in the opening two games of the Coastal Conference final also Friday and Saturday.