2020-21 Vernon Pod Award Winners

Photo credits: Tami Quan (Tassy [Top Scorer], Serdachny, Sansbury), Lisa Mazurek (Tassy [MVP], Porter Jr.)

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

Vernon Pod Most Valuable Player

Simon Tassy (Salmon Arm Silverbacks) – 20GP – 18G – 9A – 27PTS

Tassy’s 18 goals in the pod led all BCHL players this season, while his 27 points put him in a tie for seventh in league scoring. The Montreal, Que. native went pointless in his first two games, but went on a tear after that, piling up at least a point in 14 of his next 18 games. The highlight of his season came in an Apr. 18 game against the West Kelowna Warriors when he had a hat trick, including the game-tying goal in the final minute, and added an assist in a 6-5 Silverbacks win. His strong play didn’t go unnoticed as he committed to Minnesota State University earlier this month.

Vernon Pod Top Goalie

James Porter Jr. (Vernon Vipers) – 14GP – 9-3-2 – .918 SV% – 2.38 GAA – 2 SO

Porter Jr. started 14 of his team’s 20 games in the pod and was as consistent as could be, ending his season with a 9-3-2 record to lead the Vipers to first place in the Vernon Pod. His .918 save percentage and 2.38 goals-against average were both tops in his pod, as were his two shutouts. The 21-year-old from Bonners Ferry, Idaho saved his best for last, allowing just five goals over his final three starts, all resulting in Vipers win, which led to the team clinching top spot. Porter Jr. will play at Grant MacEwan University next year.

Vernon Pod Top Defenceman

Hunter Sansbury (Salmon Arm Silverbacks) – 20GP – 2G – 11A – 13PTS

Sansbury led all Silverbacks defencemen in points with 13 on the season and his 11 assists were third-most among all teammates. In his second year in the league, the 20-year-old continued to make strides and earned a leadership role, being named team captain before training camp in the fall. Sansbury chipped in offensively on a consistent basis, putting up seven assists over an eight-game stretch from Apr. 17 to May 1. He is committed to Sacred Heart University next season.

Vernon Pod Top Rookie

Noah Serdachny (Salmon Arm Silverbacks) – 20GP – 6G – 18A – 24PTS

Serdachny made an immediate splash in his first season in the BCHL, leading all rookies in assists with 18 and finishing fourth overall in rookie scoring with 24 points. He formed a line with Vernon Pod MVP Simon Tassy and teammate Sullivan Mack that was one of the deadliest combos in the league. Serdachny was productive from puckdrop on opening night and carried that through the entire season. He began his campaign and his BCHL career riding a six-game point streak, putting up nine points over that stretch, and went on to produce at least a point in 14 of his 20 games this year.