The Kootenay International Junior Hockey League (KIJHL) has named this year’s best on the ice awards for the Neil Murdoch Division with the Grand Forks Border Bruins and the Beaver Valley Nitehawks cleaning up in the West Kootenays.
Most Valuable Player – Levi Astill, Grand Forks Border Bruins
The second-year Border Bruin had a phenomenal 2024-25 KIJHL season. Astill led the league with 90 points in 44 games, scoring 34 goals and adding 56 assists (he was held off the scoresheet in six games). He was a force in the offensive zone, who showcased elite playmaking skills with 32 primary assists. Astill averaged 19:33 of ice time per game, had a +41 rating, and won 53 percent of his faceoffs. His all-around performance and consistent offensive production were key to the Border Bruins’ success.
Top Scorer – Levi Astill, Grand Forks Border Bruins
Astill has earned the Top Scorer award in the Neil Murdoch Division following a dominant 2024-25 KIJHL season. Astill led the league with 90 points in 44 games, tallying 34 goals and a league-best 56 assists. His offensive impact extended to special teams, where he topped the league with 22 power-play assists and 32 power-play points, alongside 10 power-play goals. Astill delivered in clutch moments, recording six game-winning goals—fifth in the league—and adding a short-handed goal to his impressive stat line. His scoring ability and playmaking were key drivers of the Border Bruins’ offence.
Top Defenceman – Russell Kosec, Grand Forks Border Bruins
Kosec had an outstanding 2024-25 KIJHL season. He took his offence to another level and finished third among defencemen with 42 points in 44 games. He ranked second in assists with 35 and third in power-play assists with 16, contributing 20 power-play points overall, good for fourth in the league. Kosec also scored three game-winning goals. A reliable presence on the blueline, Kosec averaged 22:34 of ice time per game and recorded a +16 rating. That made him a key part of the Bruins’ success at both ends of the ice.
Top Goaltender – Connor Stojan, Beaver Valley Nitehawks
Stojan has claimed his third straight Neil Murdoch Division Top Goaltender award, capping a strong season for the Nitehawks. In 29 games, Stojan posted a 17-9-3 record, ranking him fifth in the league for wins. He had a 2.64 goals-against average and a strong .921 save percentage, while his three shutouts tied him for first in that category. Stojan also thrived in high-pressure situations, boasting a .797 save percentage on danger zone shots. His consistency and clutch performances were key to the Nitehawks’ finishing fifth overall in the league, solidifying his status as one of the KIJHL’s best goalies.
Rookie of the Year – Brandon Gray, Grand Forks Border Bruins
The Okotoks, Alta., native was third on the Border Bruins with 53 points in 42 games and a +39 rating. His 53 points were third among all KIJHL rookies, while his 33 assists were No. 1. He scored four hat-tricks. Gray collected nine points on the power-play and three short-handed, including two goals. Gray played an average of 17:28 a game, which included special teams time. He was also effective in the faceoff circle, winning 53.18 per cent of his draws.
Most Sportsmanlike Player – Hunter Hansen, Beaver Valley Nitehawks
The Nitehawks’ points leader – 43 in 44 games – spent 22 minutes in the penalty box. Hansen averaged 16:14 of ice time a game, with a +30 rating, and contributed on both special teams. Hansen is a key piece to the Nitehawks having the KIJHL’s most lethal penalty-kill, scoring four of their league-leading 20 short-handed goals. He is also strong in the faceoff circle, winning 54.78 per cent of his draws.
Coach of the Year – Dave Hnatiuk, Grand Forks Border Bruins
In his fourth season with the Border Bruins, Hnatiuk guided the team to its third straight winning season, and a regular season championship – earning them their first President’s Cup win. The Border Bruins led the KIJHL with 224 goals and have the league’s top two-point producers in Levi Astill (90 points in 44 games) and Tyler Burke (72 points in 44 games). They have the league’s best power-play at 26.1 per cent (52-for-199) and the third best penalty-kill at 87.1 per cent (24-for-186).
Hnatiuk also coached team KIJHL at the British Columbia Hockey Conference Prospects Game for a third time.
General Manager of the Year – Terry Jones, Beaver Valley Nitehawks
Jones made a handful of moves to strengthen the depth of his roster, and it led to the Nitehawks finishing fifth overall in the KIJHL with a record of 30-11-3 in 44 games. Local product Jonas Bourchier, signed from Osoyoos, produced 25 points in 37 games. Ty Noseworthy, picked up from Melville in the SJHL, had 18 points in 35 games, while defenceman Jack Bodel (Weyburn, SJHL) and Brett Moch (Kimberley) add size with Moch bringing offensive skills. He has chipped in 14 points in 37 games. Ethan Bloomquist has been very good and has 10 points in 17 games as a Nitehawk. Jones liked how hard Bloomquist played against them in the playoffs in the past and made the move to add him.
Overall league award winner will be announced at a later date.
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