The TC Cars Solihull Barons rounded off a highly successful and equally enjoyable 2017-18 season with their end of season presentation evening at the rather lovely Nailcote Hall on Friday evening. While it was a chance for to take part in a quiz and enjoy a nice curry it was also of course an opportunity to thank the players, sponsors and supporters and dish out some player awards.
Niklas Ottosson : Players’ Player OF the year
Niklas Ottosson has been a perennial on the Barons end of season awards roll since joining Solihull from Swedish side HC Vita Hasten in 2014. In that time he has been a constant on the Barons top forward line and also has the flexibility to act as an occasional D to help mix up the options on special teams.
Richard Crowe : Rob Eley Endeavour Award
Despite still being in his early twenties Richard Crowe could be considered a Barons veteran having iced for Solihull sides his entire hockey career. A dependable and safe D-man but with the potential for a rocket of the shot from the point he has shown himself to be a staple on the Barons blue-line.
The Rob Eley award is presented for the player seen best to represent the character and effort of the former Barons legend. For Richard this is very much true with an assignment on the ice that doesn’t always get the plaudits it deserves but which has been integral to the Barons success this year.
Josh Bruce : Coach’s Player of the Year
It was perhaps little surprise that Barons 2017-18 Captain Josh Bruce would figure in the awards at some point and the gritty forward earned his coach’s player of the year award through commitment and leadership on and off the ice each weekend in a season seeing its fair share of ups and downs.
With considerably over 100 goals in a Barons shirt, including 19 this year, the winger has shown himself leading by example equally capable digging the puck out of the corners, and forcing turnovers on the forecheck as he is scoring from the slot on a one-timer.
Marcus Maynard : Supporters’ Player of the Year
A newcomer to the Barons this season Marcus Maynard has quickly established himself as a big fans favourite with assertive but controlled and intelligent play on the Solihull blue line. Bringing with him extensive experience have iced at all levels including EPL and Elite, the Leicester based teacher also revelled in the chance to get on the scoresheet netting nine times for the Barons and being a key player in the opposition crease on the powerplay. It is however his clever D play which has earned the plaudits, while his grins in the face of frustrated opposition forwards have helped manage many difficult situations.
Elliot Farrell : Steve Perks Young Player of the Year
Elliot Farrell marked his second season as a Baron with the award of the Steve Perks Young Player of the Year named in honour of the long term Baron’s devotee and father of former player Rob.
Farrell, a product of the Bracknell system, joined Solihull at the start of the 2016/17 having made the move to the Midlands to embark on a course of study at Birmingham University. 2017/18 has seen something of a breakout for the young forward where his strong work ethic and speed over the ice has been rewarded with 6 goals and 13 assists over the league and play-off season.
Luke Brittle : Most LEAGUE Points in the 2017-18 Season
Luke Brittle, alongside brothers Dangie and latterly Adam, was part of a small influx of players to the Barons this season and he wasted little time in showing his quality. With both an eye for goal and a nimbleness through the offensive zone he quickly joined the likes of old favourites Niklas Ottosson, Tom Soar and Josh Bruce at the top of the points table ultimately emerging by seasons end with 53 points, including 27 goals in all competitions to lead Solihull’s scoring tally.
More pics from the presentation evening – a big thanks to Steve Crampton for these !
