Kevin Petovello of the Alaska Nanooks, a Prince George Spruce Kings and Victoria Grizzlies alum, was presented with the Terry Flanagan Memorial Award at the Central Collegiate Hockey Association awards banquet Thursday night in Detroit.
The honour was bestowed in recognition of Petovello's perseverance, dedication and courage while overcoming adversity. Petovello suffered severe structural damage to his knee midway through this season, including torn medial and anterior collateral ligaments, yet decided to postpone reconstructive surgery until after his senior season.
“This is a very distinguished honor for Kevin to receive,” said Alaska head coach Dallas Ferguson. “Not many players play through the injury that Kevin did this season. It speaks volumes about who is as a young man and how much he cared for his teammates and the Alaska hockey program.”
Petovello missed only three games for the Nanooks and doubled his point totals from last season, finishing third in scoring on the team. In 35 appearances this year, he tallied 11 goals and 12 assists, bringing his four-year totals to 20-30-50 in 127 career games.
“It was tough to not contribute to my full potential but I owe a great deal of thanks to the support of my coaching staff,” said Petovello, who was also team captain this year. “They continued to believe in me and placed me in important situations to be a major part of the team. My teammates gave me strength and courage as they never questioned my ability to compete through the good and the bad.”
Petovello also took time in his acceptance speech to recognize Nanooks strength and conditioning coach Mike Curtin whose efforts helped stabilize the captain's knee and finish his senior season.
The Sparwood, B.C. native had five multi-point performances this season and played roles in Alaska teams that lifted the Alaska Airlines Governor's Cup for the second straight year last month. In four full BCHL seasons, Petovello played 239 games, scoring 67goals (41 of those in the 2006-07 season with Victoria) and 66 assists.
Petovello was one of two BCHL skaters recognized at the league's awards ceremony. Senior defenceman Bryant Molle, formerly of the Penticton Vees, was recognized as the Nanooks' CCHA Scholar Athlete honoree.
