East Hants Pens hand out awards

LANTZ: For the third year in a row, Matt Anthony was selected as the East Hants Junior Penguins most valuable player as the Nova Scotia Junior Hockey League (NSJHL) team handed out its year-end awards recently at Shooters Sports Bar in Enfield.
The Penguins had a very successful year winning the league championship, before falling just short of the Don Johnson Cup, losing 2-1 in overtime to the Moncton Vitos.
Anthony—who is among four players to graduate from the squad—wanted to show his appreciation to the fans and community of East Hants for embracing the team.
“I would like to say thanks to all the fans and supporters of our team over my years playing with the Pens,” he said to The Weekly Press. “We truly appreciate all of the support, and we would not have got to where we did without them. I can’t stress enough how important they were to me over the years.”
Other award winners for the Pens included: Marc Thibodeau (hard hat award); Cody Anthony (rookie of the year); Matt Doudelet (coaches award); and Nic Doucet (top defenceman).
Besides Matt Anthony, Don Johnson Cup tournament MVP and all star goalie Melvin Day, Justin Campbell, and Tyson Aalders played their final junior hockey game with the Pens.
East Hants will also lose the services of Doudelet and two-way forward Tommy McClleland, who both are ineligible to play next season.
The team thanked the six players for their time, posting the following on their official website.
“The Penguins organization would like to thank these six players for their hard work and dedication both on and off the ice,” the statement reads. “A special thank you goes out to (Matt) Anthony, Aalders, and Campbell who have been with this organization since it came back to the NSJHL three years ago. Their efforts over the past three seasons have been second to none.
“One final thank you needs to go out to the fans. The support you have shown over this past season has been amazing. This season could not have been possible without your support.”
phealey@enfieldweeklypress.com