Chilliwack Chiefs forward Boris Borin, Vernon Vipers forward Dmitrii Kubantsev and Blackfalds Bulldogs goaltender Carson Mertz have been named finalists for the 2025-26 Bruce Allison Memorial Trophy for Rookie of the Year.
Only players born in 2007 or later are eligible for year-end rookie awards.
Boris Borin (F) – Chilliwack Chiefs
Borin led all eligible rookies with 57 points, despite not joining the Chiefs until the start of November and only playing in 42 regular season games. He had a rookie-best 43 assists, while scoring 14 goals. 16 of his points came on the power play.
The 17-year-old Russian forward made an immediate impact for Chilliwack, earning at least a point in his first four BCHL games, including a four-goal, one assist performance in just his third game with the Chiefs in a win over the Surrey Eagles. He followed that up with a three-assist outing the following game against the Victoria Grizzlies.
Dmitrii Kubantsev (F) – Vernon Vipers
Kubantsev averaged 1.13 points per game in 2025-26, reaching 53 points in 47 contests on 15 goals and 38 assists, tied for the most among eligible rookies. 25 of his points came on the power play.
After a slow start his first five games with the Vipers, the 2008-born forward went on a tear, earning points in eight straight games from Nov. 1 to 28. His signature performance came in a Feb. 16 home game against the Nanaimo Clippers where he piled up two goals, three assists and five points in a dramatic 8-7 comeback win in overtime.
Carson Mertz (G) – Blackfalds Bulldogs
Mertz led all rookies with a .910 save percentage on the season, good enough for second overall among all BCHL goaltenders, while his 2.34 goals-against average was most among eligible rookies and third overall in the league. The 18-year-old finished 2025-26 with a 21-7-0 record in 29 appearances, leading all rookies in wins.
Mertz went on a six-game winning streak late in the season, giving up more than two goals on just one occasion during that stretch and earning his lone shutout of the season, an 18-save blanking of the Sherwood Park Crusaders on Feb. 13.
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Finalists were determined after a vote among the 20 BCHL head coaches and general managers. Winners will be announced between Rounds 2 and 3 of the playoffs.
