Pair of Avs share MVP honors

WASILLA — Sean McNeely’s an anchor on the blue line, who, with 31 points, showed he can contribute on the offensive end. Tyler Currier’s forte is offense, but improved dramatically on defense during the 2008-09 season.

Ultimately both were among Alaska’s top two-way players in 2008-09, and each now claims a share in of Alaska’s top team award.

McNeely and Currier were named co-MVP during a team awards banquet earlier this month.

“Both guys were leaders all year long,” Alaska head coach Dave Boitz said.

McNeely, a North American Hockey League veteran in his first season with the Avalanche, was the unquestioned leader on the blue line, and also earned the team’s defensive player of the year award.

“He was a rock, definitely,” Boitz said. “As sturdy as they come, on and off the ice.”

McNeely was the lone Alaska player to be named NAHL All-West Division. He tied for the team-lead with 24 assists, and was Alaska’s most productive player on the power play with four goals and 15 assists.

Currier led the team in scoring with 38 points (15-23-38), but it was during a mid-season scoring draught when the Anchorage native proved he was an all-around player, Boitz said.

Currier went 21 games without a goal, but during that stretch his plus-minus rating actually improved.

“He really learned how to play at both ends of the ice,” Boitz said.

His plus-minus also improved dramatically since last season. Currier ended the 2007-08 campaign with a -18 rating, but this year he finished with a -3.

Currier also set a number of franchise records this year. He’s now the career leader in points (26-48-84), assists (48), game-winning goals (eight), shorthanded goals (six) and games played (124).

Alaska’s franchise leader in career goals, Kyle Pichler, was named the offensive player of the year. Pichler scored 17 goals during the season, after posting 20 last year. He also added 14 assists in 2008-09.

Boitz said Pichler is undoubtedly one of Alaska’s most skilled players, but also brings a consistent work ethic to the ice.

“One thing I really love, is he gives you everything he’s got,” Boitz said.

And like Currier, Pichler also became more of a two-way player this year.

“He really learned how to play defense,” Boitz said. “It’s something he really needed to learn.”

Pichler was also Alaska’s top offensive threat during the playoffs. In four games against Wenatchee, Pichler scored three goals and posted a +1 rating.

“He really put an exclamation point (on the season) in the playoffs,” Boitz said. “He was really big time for us.”

Pichler has one season of junior hockey eligibility left and has committed to the Avalanche for the 2009-2010 season, Boitz said.

Another young player who is slated to come back, Robb Haider, was named the team’s rookie of the year.

In his first season in the NAHL, the former South Anchorage High School star and two-time Alaska state player of the year, posted 13 goals and 12 assists. He scored three times on the power play, and three of his goals were game-winners.

“We’re looking for him to be very, very good next year,” Boitz said.

Boitz said, as with most rookies, there were some peaks and valleys for Haider, but the Anchorage native is working on becoming a complete player.

Haider is a goal-scorer, but the Avalanche see him as a two-way player in the future.

Defenseman Daniel Hildebrandt was named the team’s most improved player. The Monument, Colo., native started the season on Alaska’s midget AAA squad, but evolved into one of the Avs’ regular top-six defensemen.

“He really improved dramatically over the course of the year,” Boitz said. “His skating got better, he shot the puck better, he passed the puck better. All areas of his game improved dramatically.”

Boitz said Hildebrandt showed a great attitude by starting with the midget program and working his way into the junior lineup.

Hildebrandt has two seasons of junior eligibility left, and Boitz sees him as a steady presence on the blue line in the future.

Forward Justin Giles earned the Avalanche Award, an honor similar to a most inspirational award.

“It’s the guy who most represents what we’re trying to do,” Boitz said. “The guy that’s there for the team, the guy who doesn’t cut corners.”

In his lone season with the Avs, Giles was named an assistant captain. He also collected six goals and 17 assists in 48 games.

Contact Frontiersman sports editor Jeremiah Bartz at sports@frontiersman.com.