On Friday evening, the Manitoba Moose announced their year-end award winners. The on-ice presentation took place in advance of the team's final home game - a 3-1 victory over the visiting Grand Rapids Griffins - from Canada Life Centre.
The team presented its usual awards to five different players, including four defencemen, a star forward and one local Manitoba product.
Declan Chisholm - the 2021-22 winner of the Fan Favourite Award - took home the team's Most Valuable Player Award this time around. He put up career-high production with five goals and 38 assists for 43 points in just 59 games. The 23-year-old is second on the team in points and has scored two overtime game-winners this season. He is No. 7 in points among American Hockey League blueliners this year.
Portage, Manitoba's own Dean Stewart was presented with the Manitoba Moose Rookie of the Year Award, signifying his brilliance as a first-year defender in the AHL. He scored once and added 16 assists for 17 points in 56 games. Stewart ranks second among rookies in points and power play points on the year.
After being demoted to the Moose for the majority of season, former Winnipeg Jets regular, Jansen Harkins, made the most of his opportunity in the minors. Playing top line and power play minutes in Manitoba, he took home the Fan Favourite Award for his contributions to overall team success. He set career highs in goals, points, and both power play and shorthanded goals.
Next up for the on-ice portion of the trophy presentation was that of the Best Defenceman Award. This year it went to Leon Gawanke. It just so happened that the 23-year-old tied Brett Hauer's Moose record of 17 goals in a single season - set back in the 2000-01 season - in Friday's win. The Berlin, Germany product has 39 points this year, while sitting sixth in Moose history for points by defencemen. He has seven power play goals on the year, to go alongside 17 points on the man advantage.
For the second-straight year, defender Jimmy Oligny walked away with the Community Service Award, for his outstanding work with many major local products. He hosted foster families at home Moose games, while also providing his continued support of the True North Youth Federation. Oligny is tied with Moose great Jimmy Roy with three total Community Service Award recognitions.
Manitoba will finish off its regular season with a four-game road trip with stops in Texas, Rockford and Chicago. Its two-game tilt with the Stars begins on Tuesday evening. The Moose currently need two wins to guarantee a spot in the Calder Cup Playoffs.