Americans name Justin Hamonic team MVP

For three years, Justin Hamonic was one player the Tri-City Americans could always count one.

The 6-foot-4, 210-pound defenseman from Winnipeg Manitoba, has not missed a game during that stretch (227 consecutive games), and his consistent stay-at-home style of play, coupled with tenacious play the penalty kill have made him invaluable. Saturday, the Americans team captain was named MVP for the 2014-15 season.

Hamonic also was named Defenseman of the Year. He had the best season of his career this year with one goal and 18 assists.

Beau McCue of Kennewick and Richard Nejezchleb were honored as the team’s top scorers with 50 points each. McCue, with just 29 penalty minutes in 71 games, was named the Most Sportsmanlike Player.

McCue also shared the Todd Klassen Humanitarian of the Year award with Kennewick native Taylor Vickerman.

The Americans’ defensive corps reeled in the Scholastic Player of the Year (Brendan O’Reilly) and Rookie of the Year (Dylan Coghlan) honors.

Overage forward Lucas Nickles was named the Hardest Working Player. Nickles has played 71 games and ranks third in team scoring with 45 points (24 goals, 21 assists).

Goaltender Eric Comrie won the Three Stars Award. In 40 games, Comrie was named first star six times, second star once and third star three times.

Jeff Jacobs was name Volunteer of the Year, while Brutzman’s Office Solutions was named Corporate Sponsor of the Year.

This story was originally published March 21, 2015 at 11:47 PM with the headline "Americans name Justin Hamonic team MVP."