2020-21 Penticton Pod Award Winners

Photo credits: Cherie Morgan (Wilson, Quillan, Lane), Jack Murray (Helliwell)

After polling coaches and broadcasters from the three teams in the Penticton Pod, the league has determined the winners of the Penticton Pod Awards.

Penticton Pod Most Valuable Player

Kaeden Lane (Penticton Vees) – 16GP – 15-1-0 – .951 SV% – 1.13 GAA – 5 SO

Lane was statistically the best goalie in the BCHL this year, finishing first in all major goaltending categories. His .951 save percentage and 1.13 goals-against average were both tops in the league, while his five shutouts were the most as well. The Burnaby, B.C. native won 15 of the 16 games he played, leading the Vees to first place in the Penticton pod. After taking his first loss in his sixth start of the season, Lane reeled off wins in 10 straight.

Penticton Pod Top Goalie

Kaeden Lane (Penticton Vees) – 16GP – 15-1-0 – .951 SV% – 1.13 GAA – 5 SO

Also named the pod’s Most Valuable Player, Lane was recognized as the Top Goaltender as well. His five shutouts were two more than the next closest goalie during the pod season and actually put him into the top-10 list of most shutouts in a single season in BCHL history, in a year where he only played in 16 games. After being the backup during the league’s extended training camp season, Lane flourished in the role of starter in the pod where he became a workhorse for the team, starting in 16 of the Vees 20 games and playing the third-most minutes in the league.

Penticton Pod Top Defenceman

Ryan Helliwell (Trail Smoke Eaters) – 18GP – 3G – 8A – 11PTS

Helliwell was on loan this year from the Langley Rivermen who opted out of the pod season, but immediately became the go-to option on the Smoke Eaters blueline. He led all Trail defencemen in scoring with 11 points and his three goals and eight assists were also most among his team’s blueliners. Helliwell’s best stretch came over four games from Apr. 14 to 19 when he had five points, including a one-goal, two-assist performance in a 5-3 win over the Cranbrook Bucks.

Penticton Pod Top Rookie

Jacob Quillan (Penticton Vees) – 20GP – 13G – 14A – 27PTS

Quillan was the rookie leading scorer in the Penticton Pod with 27 points in 20 games. That total also put him in a tie for seventh overall in league scoring and his 13 goals were tied for sixth in the BCHL. Quillan scored often during the pod season, but also seemed to find a way to make an impact when it mattered most, notching five game-winning goals which was tied for most in the league. Quillan, who is from Dartmouth, N.S., finished the season on an eight-game point streak, including two three-point nights over the final three games of the season. He is committed to Quinnipiac University.