The 2026 Herder Memorial Championship kicked off this past weekend in CBS, as the Baker Flooring Blues welcomed the Deer Lake Red Wings. Before Game 1, members of Hockey NL’s Senior Council and AESHL executives took to the ice to present several provincial awards to our players.

Photo Credits- NL Divison X 

Evening Telegram Plaque - 

FIRST PRESENTED IN 1954 BY THE EVENING TELEGRAM LIMITED FOR PERPETUAL COMPETITION. THE EVENING TELEGRAM TROPHY IS TO BE PRESENTED TO THE TEAM IN A RECOGNIZED SENIOR A LEAGUE WHICH HAS THE BEST WINNING AVERAGE OVER THE REGULAR SEASON.

This year’s team had another great season in the Avalon East Senior Hockey League with an astonishing 85 percent winning average. The Evening Telegram Trophy goes to your BAKER FLOORING CONCEPTION BAY BLUES

Presidents GoalTender Award- 

THE PRESIDENT’S GOALTENDER AWARD WAS FIRST PRESENTED IN 1989 BY HOCKEY NL AND IS TO BE AWARDED ANNUALLY TO THE GOALTENDER IN A COMPETING SENIOR A LEAGUE WHO HAS THE BEST GOALS AGAINST AVERAGE OVER THE REGULAR SEASON.

This season’s recipient led their team to a first-place finish in the Avalon East Senior Hockey League, while winning 10 of 12 games. They had a mere, goal against average of 2.1 and save percentage of 918. THE PRESIDENT’S GOALTENDER AWARD GOES TO: MATT JENKINS OF YOUR BAKER FLOORING CONCEPTION BAY BLUES

Rookie of the Year- 

THE ALBERT “PEE WEE” CRANE MEMORIAL AWARD WAS FIRST PRESENTED IN 1970 BY HOCKEY NEWFOUNDLAND AND LABRADOR. PEE WEE CRANE WAS A SPORTS REPORTER IN ST. JOHN’S WHO COVERED HOCKEY FOR MANY YEARS. THIS AWARD IS TO BE PRESENTED ANNUALLY TO THE ROOKIE OF THE YEAR PLAYING HIS FIRST FULL SEASON ON ONE OF THE TEAMS IN A COMPETING SENIOR A LEAGUE.

This season’s provincial rookie of the year had an impressive inaugural season in the Avalon East Senior Hockey League. He finished the season second on their team in scoring. Accumulating an amazing 32 points in just 20 games as a defensemen.

THE ALBERT PEE WEE CRANE MEMORIAL AWARD GOES TO EVAN WHITE OF THE ROOFTECH ST.JOHN’S CAPS

MVP - 

IN 1981 HOCKEY NL ESTABLISHED THE T.A (GUS) SOPER MEMORIAL AWARD. GUS SOPER WAS INSTRUMENTAL IN MANAGING THE OLD BUCHANS MINERS SENIOR TEAM FROM 1945 TO 1970 AND BUILT (4) HERDER CHAMPIONSHIP TEAMS. THIS AWARD IS PRESENTED ANNUALLY TO A PLAYER JUDGE THE MOST VALUABLE ON ONE OF THE TEAMS IN A COMPETING SENIOR A LEAGUE.

This year’s winner led the Avalon East Senior Hockey League in scoring with 17 goals and 26 assist for 43 points and led his team to a first-place finish.

THE GUS SOPER MEMORIAL AWARD FOR THE MVP GOES TO KRIS HODGE OF YOUR BAKER FLOORING CONCEPTION BAY BLUES.