Forward Reece Vitelli and blueliner Remy Aquilon are the latest recipients of year-end awards by the Prince Albert Raiders as they received the Lionel Diehl Memorial Award for hardest working player and the Ches Leach Award for most improved player respectively on Tuesday.
Vitelli, who is 19 years of age and calls Winnipeg home, suited up in all 24 games in the Regina hub and was second in team scoring with 22 points.
He was also one of the top players for the Raiders in the faceoff department as he was successful on 61 per cent of his draws.
“It’s truly an honour to be recognized for this award since every single guy in that locker room works hard day in and day out,” Vitelli said in an video that was posted on the Raiders’ website.
“I want to thank my teammates for pushing me every single day, whether that’s on the ice, in the gym or even playing video games.”
The 20-year-old Aquilon, who calls Victoria, B.C. home, had a career campaign in his third season in the WHL and his second in a Raiders uniform.
After posting 10 points in 114 regular season contests over the previous two years, the first of which was with the Victoria Royals, Aquilon had 16 points in 24 games to lead the club in defensive scoring.
“I want to say thanks to the fans in Prince Albert,” Aquilon said. “You guys are the best in the league by far.
“I know it wasn’t in person this year but I know all of you were watching and cheering us on. Hopefully, next year will be different and we’ll all be back in the Art Hauser Centre.”
