YORKTON, SK — It was a night full of applause, laughter and great food Friday as the Yorkton Kinsmen Maulers held its annual awards night.
The 2026 edition was held at the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, complete with a traditional Ukrainian supper, entertainment from Conway Kootenay, and celebrating the 2025-26 edition of the team.
After words from both general manager Jeremy Palanuik and Head Coach Josh Garbutt, awards were given to a handful of Kinsmen Maulers. Take a look at our photos below, along with more on each player who took home an award.
All Kinsmen Mauler graduating players for the 2025-26 season (L-R): Tye Semenchuk, Carson Ekstrom, Austin Root, Keaton Thompson, Cole Ivey, Brodyn Pladson, Ryland McConnell, Meric Poncelet, Broden Wotherspoon. (Missing, Boston Melnyk and Landon Wegleitner).
Keaton Thompson awarded the Al Harrison Memorial Award as the Top Scorer.
Both Broden Wotherspoon and Raif Henrion were given the “Heart of Gold,” Brady Grasdal Memorial Award.
Most Improved Player was awarded to Raif Henrion.
Rookie of the Year went to Dylan Veroba.
Veroba was also named the team’s top defenceman.
Keaton Thompson and Broden Pladson shared the top forward award.
The Reg Kachonoski Memorial Award for Top Goaltender went to Cole Ivey.
Carson Ekstrom was named the Scoop Memorial Award recipient for Most Dedicated.
Ekstrom was also named “Mr. Versatility.”
Ty Rusnak was named most sportsmanlike.
Rusnak also took home the Josh Campbell Memorial Award for “Mr. Hustle.”
Theo Cleland earned the 2025-26 YRHS Scholastic Award.
Broden Wotherspoon was awarded the Andre Parker Memorial Award as the team’s “Unsung Hero.”
Tye Semenchuk was awarded the 2025-26 Graham Garrett Memorial Award, “Coaches Choice.”
Boston Melnyk was presented with the Joel Dennis Memorial Award. Melnyk was in the La Ronge Ice Wolves’ lineup Friday, with Grandma Melnyk accepting the award on Boston’s behalf.
Becky Dutchak was named the 2025-26 Volunteer of the Year.
And the final award of the evening, Cole Ivey was named the 2025-26 MVP of the Yorkton Kinsmen Maulers.
Congratulations to all award recipients and everyone involved in making the night a success. Conway Kootenay was the entertainer for the evening, providing laughs all around!
ABOUT THE YORKTON KINSMEN MAULERS: The Yorkton Kinsmen Maulers are a U18 AAA Hockey Club playing out of the Saskatchewan Male AAA Hockey League (SMAAAHL). The club was founded in 1983 and formed a partnership with the Kinsmen Club of Yorkton in 2024 with a three year naming rights agreement.
FOR MEDIA INFORMATION OR QUESTIONS, PLEASE CONTACT: Jeremy Palanuik, General Manager and Associate Coach | (306) 527-3435 | gm@maulers.ca
