Valley players earn first-team All-North Star honors

WASILLA — The race for North Star Conference Player of the Year might have been as contested as the fight for the conference team title.

A pair of Kenai Peninsula players finished in a tie for the league’s top award, besting a pair of Valley candidates. Kenai forward Zack Kulkanycz and Soldotna forward Josh Kerkvliet were each named co-players of the year following the end of the tournament Saturday night in Soldotna. Arguments were also made for Palmer senior Ivan Good, the 2011 NSC Player of the Year, and Wasilla senior Chancie Hanson.

Good, a forward, and Hanson, a defenseman, were each named first-team All-NSC for the third straight year.

“Honestly, I think Chancie is the best player in the region,” Wasilla head coach Bill Sturdevant said of the four-year varsity stalwart, who posted three goals and three assists while helping the Warriors finish second in the NSC for the second consecutive year.

Good scored four of Palmer’s seven goals in the NSC tournament as he helped lead the Moose to their second consecutive conference title.

Palmer head coach Brad Hanson said Good is certainly deserving of top honors, but picking all-conference teams is always difficult.

Conference coaches select the all-conference teams and major awards, but coaches cannot vote for their own players.

“There are different philosophies voting for player of the year or all conference,” the Palmer coach said. “It’s hard.”

Palmer, Wasilla and Colony each placed a pair of players on the first team. Good and defenseman Brennan Harrison each represent the Moose, who won the region title with a 5-2 win over Wasilla.

Hanson and forward Brandon Trush were named to the first team for Wasilla.

Forward Morgan McJimsey and goalie Forrest Savel represent the Knights on the first team. Savel was named the top goaltender in a conference loaded with goaltending.

Houston High also had a player earn first-team honors over the weekend. Senior Jake Wells was named All-Mid Alaska Conference.

2012 All-North

Star Conference

Most valuable player — Zack Zulkanycz, Kenai; Josh Kerkvliet, Soldotna.

Coach of the year — Aaron Swanson, Soldotna.

First team

Forwards — Zack Zulkanycz, Kenai; Ivan Good, Palmer, Josh Kerkvliet, Soldotna; Dalton Pearson, Soldotna; Morgan McJimsey, Colony; Brandon Trush, Wasilla.

Defensemen — Kevin Stone, Soldotna; Chancie Hanson, Wasilla; Brennan Harrison, Palmer; Dennis Sanarov, Homer.

Goalie — Forrest Savel, Colony.

Second team

Forwards — Zack Mese, Kenai; Jacob Innuki, Palmer; Trevor Naylor, Colony; Alex Svoboda, Colony; Miles George, Palmer; Dalton Buness, Palmer; Jarrett Urban, Soldotna; Dylan Mcree, Wasilla; Blake Brazil, Palmer; Jonas Perletti, Soldotna.

Defensemen — Michael Erickson, Soldotna; Matti Silta, Soldotna; Kevin Hartley, Colony; Trey Garrod, Palmer.

Goalies — Alex Sanarov, Homer; Cody Harvey, Soldotna; Keegan Remsen, Kenai.

Honorable mention

Forwards — Jonathon Boyer, Colony; Cooper Hanson, Wasilla; Max Hegge, Soldotna; Anthony Kolendo, Colony; Jack Reeves, Palmer; Mark Reutov, Homer; Payton Staskywicz, Palmer; Dagon Walton, Soldotna; Nick Wrobel, Soldotna.

Defensemen — Curtis Foster, Colony; Thomas Morino, Palmer; Matt Morse, Kenai; Logan Sanders, Colony; Kai Simmons, Homer.

Goalies — Zach Eastham, Wasilla; Ashton Good, Palmer.

Good sport team — Jonathon Boyer, Colony; Russel Dukowitz, Kenai; Ethan Kizzia, Homer; Thomas Morino, Palmer; Robbie Starbird, Wasilla; Dagen Walton, Soldotna.