CALGARY, ALTA. – Hosted at the Mount Royal University (MRU) Bella Concert Hall, Cougars Athletics and Recreation (CAR) held their annual Cougar Night year-end celebration tonight. This event featured an awards-style show that honoured student-athletes, coaches, and staff for their excellence in the 2022-23 season.
Two former MRU athletes began the show as emcees. Janai Martens, a women's soccer team member from 2017-2022 was accompanied by Justin Anderson-Louch, a men's soccer program member from 2015-22. Their witty banter, fondness of CAR and positive energy created a memorable night for all in attendance.
The night kicked off with the recognition of Canada West bronze medalists, men's soccer, and both silver medalists in women's hockey and volleyball while highlighting the women's hockey program gold at U SPORTS National Championships - a program and MRU historic first. Also a first in program history was the capture of the Crowchild Classic Manhole Cover, a gift from the City of Calgary to the university who wins the most competitions in a season.
To begin the awards portion of the night, Ryan Bennato was inducted into Mount Royal University's Wall of Fame. Over four seasons with the Cougars, between 1996-2000, Bennato was an incredible force in the Alberta Colleges Athletic Association and Canadian Collegiate Athletic Association. In 91 games across his four years, Bennato accumulated 141 points, five individual awards and three team championships.
The Wall of Fame induction was followed by the varsity team season reviews, Most Valuable Player awards and Athletic Therapy awards. While there were a number of incredible awards presented throughout the night, possibly the most anticipated were the major awards.
Honoured for their community service, Tatum Amy and Sterling Kerr were recognized as the Community Leadership Award recipients. Kerr volunteered at a number of charities and non profits over the year in addition to organizing several campus activities and being a volunteer research assistant in the MRU Psychology department. Amy has spent the last six years volunteering with several different non-profit organizations including HEROS Hockey, where she teaches life skills to marginalized groups through hockey, among other activities.
The Rookie of the Year present by Players Bench Team Apparel was given to men's hockey forward Connor Bouchard and women's soccer player Zyna Centeno. Bouchard was a standout, being named to the Canada West All-Rookie team and leading all rookies in scoring this year. Centeno was also named to the Canada West All-Rookie team and was honoured with a position on the Second All-Start team.
After the Rookies of the Year took a seat, the Al Bohonus Athletes of the Year presented by EFW Radiology, took center stage. The female winner was Tatum Amy, who became the second player from MRU in a row to earn the Canada West women's hockey Player of the Year award after leading all scorers with 31 points (7G-24A) in 26 games. Following suit, the male winner, Riley Sawchuk from men's hockey, who also won Canada West Player of the Year was honoured. Sawchuk also led the league in scoring with 49 points (20G-29A) in 27 games.
Lastly, the ceremony recognized the recipients of the Brian Fleming Award Presents by the Calgary Booster Club. This prestigious award recognizes student-athletes who excel in academics, athletics and the community. Jackson Brennan from men's volleyball and Quinn Pelland from women's volleyball received this season's honours. Both Brennan and Pelland were leaders on their teams and influential members of the community. These two outstanding student-athletes closed out the event, setting the bar high for years to come!
A full list of award winners:
Wall of Fame
1996-2000 Ryan Bennato (Men's Hockey Player)
Team Most Valuable Players
Torrance Langdon, Women's Soccer
Caden Rogozinski, Men's Soccer
Tatum Amy, Women's Hockey
Riley Sawchuk, Men's Hockey
Quinn Pelland, Women's Volleyball
Chris Byam, Men's Volleyball
Jamie Lalor, Women's Basketball
Holt Tomie, Men's Basketball
Athletic Therapy Awards
Clinic: Tracie Kikuchi (Men's Soccer)
Field: Jason Oliemans (Women's Volleyball)
Athletic Awards
Men's Community Leadership Award: Sterling Kerr, Men's Soccer
Women's Community Leadership Award: Tatum Amy, Women's Hockey
Men's Rookie of the Year Award presented by Players Bench Team Apparel: Connor Bouchard, Men's Hockey
Women's Rookie of the Year Award presented by Players Bench Team Apparel: Zyna Centeno, Women's Hockey
Male Al Bohonus Athlete of the Year Award presented by EFW Radiology: Riley Sawchuk, Men's Hockey
Female Al Bohonus Athlete of the Year Award presented by EFW Radiology: Tatum Amy, Women's Hockey
Men's Brian Fleming Award presented by the Calgary Booster Club: Jackson Brennan, Men's Volleyball
Women's Brian Fleming Award presented by the Calgary Booster Club: Quinn Pelland, Women's Volleyball
