Aliaksei Protas and Zack Hayes (on bench) are co-recipients of the Orland Kurtenbach Award as Most Valuable Player. (Lucas Chudleigh/Apollo Multimedia)

By paNOW Staff

MVP

Hayes, Protas share MVP Honour

Apr 20, 2020 | 3:17 PM

The Prince Albert Raiders handed out the last piece of hardware on Monday afternoon, announcing Zack Hayes and Aliaksei Protas as co-recipients of the Orland Kurtenbach Award as Most Valuable Player Presented by Lake Country Co-op.

Hayes, the team’s captain, had already been recognized with the Players Choice Award and the Most Valuable Defenceman Award (shared with Kaiden Guhle) after concluding a stellar four-year career with the Raiders. The over-age defenceman was part of the team’s leadership group each of the last two seasons, and leaves Prince Albert as a WHL Champion.

“It is a great honour to be a co-recipient for the Most Valuable Player Award. I’d like to thank Habby and the rest of the coaches for teaching me what it means to be a Prince Albert Raider, and teaching me everything that I’ve learned for the last four years,” Hayes said before thanking his teammates and recognizing Protas.

“Alex is a competitor who competes every night, and he always makes people around him better. He’s a great leader and a great teammate, and I’m proud to share this award with him.”

Protas was the team’s top scorer this season, finishing with 31 goals and 80 points in 58 games played. He was tied for 16^th league wide in goals, and ninth in points. The sophomore forward from Belarus was a third-round draft pick of the Washington Capitals at the 2019 NHL Draft.

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“First of all, I hope you all stay safe and spend some time with your family. Everybody’s going through a tough time right now but you have to stay strong, protect yourself, and protect your family,” Protas said before thanking all involved with the organization.

“I’m so proud to win this award, thank you to my teammates because I couldn’t do this without them. Thank you to our coaching staff and all those that work in the Raiders family, helping us during the season and in the offseason. Thanks to our fans, we play for you and enjoy every chance to play in front of the best fans in the league. Thank you so much.”

2019-20 Prince Albert Raiders Award Winners

Orland Kurtenbach Award as Most Valuable Player: Zack Hayes and Aliaksei Protas

Players Choice Award: Zack Hayes

Jim Neilson Award as Most Valuable Defenceman: Zack Hayes and Kaiden Guhle

George Cowie Award as Rookie of the Year: Ilya Usau

Best Defensive Forward: Reece Vitelli and Brayden Watts

Ches Leach Award as Most Improved Player: Spencer Moe

Best Conditioned Raider: Evan Herman

Lionel Diehl Memorial Award as Hardest Working Player: Matthew Culling

Travis Laycock Award as Humanitarian of the Year: Jeremy Masella

Belle Merrell & Calla Grasley Award for Scholastic Player of the Year: Nolan Allan and Landon Kosior

Three Stars Award: Ozzy Wiesblatt, Aliaksei Protas, and Kaiden Guhle

Dave Balon Leading Scorer Award: Aliaksei Protas

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panews@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @princealbertnow