Portage Voyageurs cap off 2022-23 season with awards

It was a night to remember for the Portage College athletes after being recognized for their accomplishments throughout the sports season. 

On Thursday, March 30 the Lac La Biche campus hosted the Voyageurs Athletic Awards evening to showcase students’ hard work and dedication to college sports. 

The Voyagers have a thriving group of athletes willing to push themselves and try new things, this year their athletes had 1120 volunteer hours. 

“For a season coming out of COVID, and coming out of previously shortened seasons, I am very appreciative of the athlete’s hard work and dedication over the years,” said Jim Knight, Manager of Athletics and Recreation. 

“We have a good base and I am again very appreciative. It is a great group of athletes.” 

The awards showcased men’s and women’s soccer, golf, curling, futsal and men’s hockey. 

Other awards were Female and Male Athlete of the Year, Volunteer of the Year, Humanitarian of the Year, and Spirit Awards. 

“Humanitarian of the Year is sponsored by me and my wife as a way to give back. We are giving $250 to each recipient. I am very grateful for the role I play in Portage since the role was given to me in 2011 and this is just a way of thanks,” said Knight. 

Other sponsorships were awarded to recognize those going above and beyond. The Volunteer of the Year award also comes with a $1000 check, the Athlete of the Year with $500 each, and the FC award that is given to graduating players in soccer is $250 dollars each. 

Men’s Hockey has its own scholarship with the Edmonton Oilers Community Foundation where three players are awarded $2000 each for their hard efforts in the season.

Off-ice officials also had recognition with the ACAC Minor Officials Award given to volunteers who take the time to learn and follow college sports on their own clocks. Timekeepers, Scorekeepers, and Announcers. 

After the awards everyone in attendance was asked to gather in the Voyageurs Grill to have some food and share some laughs about the past season.

Images by Ryan Hlewka and Courtney Nielson.

The list of recipients and their awards are as follows. 

Golf 

Most Improved – Nick Gidney 

Rookie of the Year – Lyric Lewis 

Voyageurs Spirit Award – Alex Brousseau 

Player of the Year – Kelly Orr

Women’s Soccer

Rookie of the Year – Hailee George 

Voyageurs Spirit Award – Sarah Jones 

Player of the Year – Chloe Gauthier-Schaub 

Men’s Soccer

Rookie of the Year – Dante Cashato 

Voyageurs Spirit Award – Keagan Gauthier-Schaub 

Player of the Year – Bjorn Goolie 

Lac La Biche FC Award

Female – Chloe Gauthier-Schaub

Male – Kegan Gauthier-Schaub

Curling

Most Dedicated – Shafick Borufu 

Most Improved – Tata Mugisha 

Voyageurs Spirit Award – Samantha Lychak 

Most Valuable Player – Ashley Hennenfent 

Women’s Futsal 

Rookie of the Year – Ashley Hennenfent 

Voyageurs Spirit Award – Sarah Jones 

Player of the Year – Miriam Kabonesa 

Men’s Futsal 

Rookie of the Year – Akil Johnson 

Voyageurs Spirit Award – Micheal Musanza 

Player of the Year – Kegan Gauthier-Schaub 

Hockey 

Top Scorer – Brody Dale 

Top Defenseman – Lian Visram 

Top Forward – Brayden Dale 

Rookie of the Year – Alex Brousseau 

Voyageurs Spirit Award – Xavier Halterman 

Player of the Year – Liam Visram 

Edmonton Oilers Community Foundation Award 

Brody Dale, Xavier Halterman, and Brayden Dale. 

Humanitarian of the Year 

Female – Lexis Roy 

Male – Liam Visram 

Volunteer of the Year 

Miriam Kabonesa 

Athlete of the Year 

Female – Ashley Hennenfent 

Male – Shaye Sommerfeld 

Off-ice Officials Award

Allan Robertson – Timekeeper Soccer

Blair Norton – Scorekeeper Hockey

Donna Feledichuk – Timekeeper Hockey

Brian Stanton – Scorekeeper Hockey

David Paul – Announcer Hockey, Soccer, Futsal