Matsos and Beauregard claim top awards

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Dave Matsos has been named Ice Hockey Journalists UK's Coach of the Year after guiding Sheffield Steelers to their first Elite League title in five seasons.

The Canadian, in his third year with Steelers, has brought the glory days back to the club having also steered them to the play-off crown last season.

Matsos said: "I am pleased all my nice words to the media have been recognised! It's an honour to be voted for the Coach's award by the people who write about the sport. We have re-built this great club and I couldn't be more proud of my players. Now we are focused on retaining our play-off trophy."

But with many predicting a Steelers double, Manchester Phoenix forward David-Alexandre Beauregard pipped Sheffield goaltender Jody Lehman to the Player of the Year gong.

Beauregard, who lost the sight in one eye during a tragic hockey accident in his junior days, has rattled in more than 100 points in his debut season in Britain and scooped the prize ahead of Lehman, who was instrumental in Steelers` title triumph and did at least make the All-Star team.

Beauregard said: “It is a great honour and I am really pleased to be recognised in this way. I have been really lucky with my line-mates in Tony Hand and Luke Fulghum as they have helped me out. I have just had fun all year long and I am really enjoying it.”

Canadian Colin Patterson was voted the English Premier League`s Coach of the Year having enjoyed a fantastic first season with Peterborough Phantoms.

Patterson, part of the coaching staff of Team Canada in 1984, has guided Phantoms to the English Premier League title and also to the final of the EPL Cup.

At the age of 48, Slough Jets player-coach Steve Moria continues to roll back the years and scooped the EPL Player of the Year accolade for the second season running as well as being named in the All-Star line-up.

Moria said: “It's totally unexpected to receive this award but it's a great honour. At this stage of the season and with our confidence quite low, it's a boost for me and it's nice to know people have confidence in my abilities.

“I love the sport, I love playing ice hockey and I love coaching as well and it's the challenge of winning trophies that keeps me going. Hopefully we can defend our play-off title in Coventry this season."

Rookie Robert Dowd capped a stunning season for Steelers by being voted the Best British Young Player having registered more than 20 goals.

In his first full campaign with the Steelers, the 20-year-old was also rewarded with his senior Great Britain debut in the pre-Olympic qualification tournament in Poland last November.

Dowd said: "It has been an unbelievable year and one I don't think anyone expected. It's nice to be recognised not only by GB coach Paul Thompson but also by the writers. Winning the play-offs would be a great way to end the season."

Full Winners

Elite League All-Star First Team - Goaltender: Jody Lehman (Sheffield Steelers); Defencemen: Rod Sarich and Steve Munn (Sheffield Steelers); Forwards: David-Alexandre Beauregard (Manchester Phoenix), Paul Deniset (Belfast Giants), Mark Hurtubise (Edinburgh Capitals).

Elite League All-Star Second Team - Goaltender: Andrew Verner (Newcastle Vipers); Defencemen: Corey Neilson (Nottingham Panthers), Jonathan Weaver (Coventry Blaze); Forwards: Adam Calder (Coventry Blaze), Greg Chambers (Basingstoke Bison), Tony Hand (Manchester Phoenix).

Elite League Coach of the Year - Dave Matsos (Sheffield Steelers). Elite League Player of the Year - David-Alexandre Beauregard (Manchester Phoenix).

English Premier League All-Star First Team - Goaltender: Barry Hollyhead (MK Lightning); Defencemen: Jan Krajicek (Romford Raiders), Dwayne Newman (Peterborough Phantoms); Forwards: Steve Moria and Joe Ciccarello (Slough Jets), Marek Hornak (Telford Tigers).

English Premier League All-Star Second Team - Goaltender: Stephen Wall (Peterborough Phantoms); Defencemen: Jan Melichar (Bracknell Bees), Paul Dixon (Guildford Flames); Forwards: Craig Peacock and Nathan Rempel (Peterborough Phantoms), Peter Jasik (Bracknell Bees).

English Premier League Coach of the Year - Colin Patterson (Peterborough Phantoms)

English Premier League Player of the Year - Steve Moria (Slough Jets)

Best British Netminder: Stephen Murphy (Manchester Phoenix)

Best British Defenceman: Jonathan Weaver (Coventry Blaze)

Best British Forward: Tony Hand (Manchester Phoenix)

Best British Young Player: Robert Dowd (Sheffield Steelers)

Ice Hockey Annual Trophy (Leading British point-scorer in league): Colin Shields (Belfast Giants)

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