Belfast Giants captain Colin Shields has been rewarded for an outstanding season by being named Ice Hockey Journalist UK’s player of the year.
The 30-year Glaswegian, a sixth-round draft pick by Philadelphia Flyers in 2000, notched his 100th point in all competitions this term in the 6-4 win at Elite League champions Coventry Blaze on Sunday.
He is also the leading point-scorer in the Elite League with 38 goals and 63 assists in 64 games, which was also enough to see him win the best British forward of the year and retain the top British point-scorer accolade.
Shields said: “It took myself and the Giants time to find our chemistry offensively what with injuries to key players on the team. We were only scoring on average two goals per game, which had to improve.
“Jeffrey Szwez was a great addition to our team and I played with him mainly since his arrival. It was great to have such great line-mates who definitely complimented my style of play and speed to score over 100 points this campaign.
“I couldn’t have done it without a great team effort, which we would all have given up instantly to win the Elite League title.”

Christiansen coach of the year
Doug Christiansen has done a remarkable job for Edinburgh Capitals, leading them to a sixth-placed finish with often a depleted side, and deservedly picked up the coach of the year award.
Indeed, Christiansen has sat out the majority of the season with a fractured patella which he sustained in the opening game at Hull Stingrays.
Christiansen said: “Not in a million years did I think I would end up being coach of the year as my season started so badly. There I was in a hospital bed in Hull in pain after injuring my knee in the first period of my first game.
“I've not played since but this has been an incredible season. We were lucky to recruit guys of the quality of Cody Rudkowsky, Owen Fussey, Simon Lambert and Mark Smith.
“Later Dan Welch and Mark Lefebvre arrived and we've also been blessed with a talented group of loyal players who have been on the roster for some time and who have done so much to bring this club forward.
“We've had an incredible amount of injuries but these guys have shown tremendous character and put in so much effort to take this franchise to a new record of 52 points.
“That is eight points ahead of the previous best and we've also ended up in a franchise-high sixth place. It is the guys on the ice who deserve credit and this is as much an award for them as it is for me.”

Cesky nets top EPL award
Jaroslav Cesky landed the English Premier League player of the year after a stunning debut season for Bracknell Bees.
The Czech forward, who had posted more than 100 points at an average of more than two a game, said: “I really enjoy playing here in Bracknell. It's a great organisation with fans who have stood behind us all season long.
“This award is a real honour - it's a fantastic league, with great players, especially the imports, many of whom I played against in the United States. I never thought I would get this kind of award. It's greatly appreciated by me, I'm shocked."

Russell receives coach accolade
Peter Russell scooped the EPL coach of the year gong after steering Slough Jets to a second-placed finish in his first season in charge after replacing Steve Moria. Russell, who also helped Great Britain Under-20s to World Championship gold, said: “I don't think anyone expected us to be where we are, it's been a good season and it's so nice to be recognised. It's still been tough - we played with three imports for a lot of the season - but the mix in the team has been fantastic. The league is tougher than ever but this has been the most fun I've had."
More award details here.