The Kerry Park Islanders were swept out of the VIJHL playoffs by the Peninsula Panthers on Monday, March 17, after a dominating season of their own in which they earned the Andy Hebenton Trophy for being the regular season champions. Kerry Park had the best record in the league at 37-7-3-1 for 78 points to top the South Division.
It wasn't the way the team had hoped to end their season but head coach Jake Ebner said it was one to remember.
"While we wish we were preparing for another game, this will be a team and a season to remember," he said.
"This experience is not what it was without the hard work you put in every day, you all showed up ready to work and seeing you guys grow as a group and come together so effortlessly was amazing to see," he told his players in a social media post.
"For the 20-year-olds, you lead by example on and off the ice. Culture is everything and you have set the bar for future players," Ebner said.
The team says goodbye to Jobey Pearson, Justin Pichor, Kyler Smith, Bryce Burnett, Carson Brown, and Eric Stinson who have all graduated from junior hockey.
The Islanders held their annual awards night prior to the start of their final series to recognize the standout efforts and contributions of those within the organization.
Carson Brown was the team MVP and earned the Doug Morton Trophy as both the league and team's regular season scoring champion. He was also voted winner of the Jamie Benn Trophy as the league's MVP.
Brown broke the franchise's all-time scoring record this past season, and ended up with exactly 100 regular season points: 47 goals and 53 assists in 48 games played — a wild 2.08 points-per-game.
"It's quite an accomplishment for Carson," Ebner said. "Our whole team and organization is very happy for him and it's well deserved."
The Coach's Choice award went to Bryce Burnett, who finished the regular season with 16 goals and 22 assists for 38 points in 29 games with the team. He only got hotter from there as the playoff's top scorer through seven games.
Burnett was also the first recipient of the Phil Downie Memorial Scholarship, an award created following in honour of their assistant coach who died suddenly just before the post season.
"This community is one in a million. We are honoured to announce that due to an anonymous donation we have been able to create the Phil Downie Memorial Scholarship Fund. This is in honour of his service to the team and the hockey and law enforcement communities. This will annually honour Phil and be awarded to a graduating Islander who exemplifies commitment, perseverance and camaraderie," said the team. "It is intended to go towards law enforcement training or educational purposes in the amount of $1,000."
Rookie of the Year honours went to Rylan Davis. The Prince George product was 12th in team scoring but what's more impressive is he dressed for 45 of the team's 48 regular season games as a rookie.
Max Carlson was the team's Top Defender. Playing in his second full VIJHL season, Carlson was one of two defenders in the top 10 in team scoring. He put up seven goals and 44 assists for 51 points in just 37 regular season games to cement his place as fifth in overall team scoring. Carlson also earned the Clayton Stoner Trophy as the VIJHL's Top Defender.
Jobey Pearson was Kerry Park's Top Forward. Fourth in Islanders scoring, Pearson potted 22 goals and 37 helpers for 59 points in 34 games, or 1.75 points per game.
The Most Inspirational award went to Shawnigan Lake's Colby Robinson. Like Brown, Robinson played in all 48 regular season games for the team amassing 11 goals and 21 assists for 32 points.
The team's Top goaltender for the 2024-25 season was Noah Stenvig.
Joining the team in mid January, the goalie earned six wins in eight games with a goals against average of 3.88 and a 0.886 save percentage.
Rookie forward Nate Grinevitch was acknowledged as the team's Most Improved player. Grinevitch dressed for 44 of the team's 48 regular season games and scored seven goals and 11 assists for 18 points in his first year in the VIJHL.
Having just completed his third regular season with the Islanders, Ben Stocks was named Kerry Park's Most Dedicated player. In 46 games this season Stocks scored 14 goals and added 19 assists for 33 points.
