The Valleyfield Braves earned their fair share of honours at the 33e Gala Méritas de la LHJAAAQ, which took place last Tuesday at the Sheraton Laval Hotel.
The team from Valleyfield won the Gilles Houle’s Trophy awarded to the organization of the year in the “Figsby” circuit. The Braves were nominated, as were the Collège Français de Longueuil and the Cégep Beauce-Appalaches Condors.
This trophy is awarded to the organization that has distinguished itself through its community involvement, its advertising initiatives, its respect for deadlines and regulations as well as its active participation in the development of the LHJAAAQ and for the stability within its staff.
Parent, Mianscum, Stegmann and Leblanc honoured
Four players from the last season of the Braves were also rewarded when they were finalists in different categories.
Etienne Parent won the Patrick Tremblay Trophy awarded to the best defensive rookie of the last season in the LHJAAAQ. He was selected ahead of Joey Allen of the Granby Inouk and Mathis Lacroix-Goulet of the Collège Français de Longueuil.
The defenceman from Abitibi was voted the defensive player “having developed in the midget category the previous season or the player 18 years and under who has not played more than 17 games of the last schedule (due to COVID) and who has demonstrated the best defensive skills.”
Forward Di-D’abram Mianscum won the fans’ “Inspiration – Coup de Coeur” award. “Di-D’abram is one of the players who is part of a long line of Indigenous players who have worn the Braves uniform in recent years. The cause of Indigenous nations is very close to his heart,” said Braves general manager and head coach David Rochon.
Co-owner Stéphane Scotto added: “The Braves have a long history of community involvement. Di-D’abram perfectly represents the mission of getting involved in the community.”
Michael Stegmann was also honoured as Most Gentlemanly Player. The Gatineau hockey player won ahead of Dylan Champagne of the Cégep Beauce-Appalaches Condors and Maxime Gagné of the Collège Français de Longueuil. In 38 regular season games, he received only 3 minor penalties for a total of 6 minutes.
The 20-year-old was also named best student player and awarded with a $1,000 scholarship. Salaberry-de-Valleyfield rookie defenceman Benjamin Leblanc was also the recipient of a $500 scholarship.
“Benjamin had to enroll in an Adult Education School to finish high school because of a problem beyond his control. He was able to adjust very well to this reality while having an overall average of nearly 90%. It is an example of students’ determination,” praised David Rochon.
