By Ian Holmes

Bucs’ rookie recognized by VIJHL as Nanaimo downs Generals 4-2

Feb 16, 2017 | 10:31 PM

NANAIMO — League hardware was handed out at the Nanaimo Ice Centre as the Buccaneers (30-15-0-1) cruised toward the playoffs with a 4-2 victory over the Oceanside Generals (11-33-1-2) Thursday night.

Dawson Heathcote had a night to remember as the Nanaimo product was named the VIJHL Rookie of the Year and the league’s Most Sportsmanlike Player.

The 17-year-old didn’t let a pre-game awards ceremony get to his head – he scored twice, added a sensational assist and was named the game’s first star.

“It’s amazing to be selected out of all of these great players, just to be the Rookie of the Year out of this league, it’s a surreal moment, surreal moment for sure,” said Heathcote.

The Nanaimo Minor Hockey graduate and Medicine Hat Tigers (WHL) prospect leads the Bucs in points (21.33.54) and is tied for fifth in league scoring. He’s second among league rookies for points and has an astounding 13 goals and 26 points in 14 games since the calendar flipped to 2017.

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Heathcote said his game has come a long way since the start of the season.

“It’s been great, I’ve learned a lot. Dan’s (head coach Dan Lemmon) been great,” Heathcote said. “All areas of my game have gotten better, especially the d-zone, so hopefully I can bring that to the next level next year and be an impact player.”

That next level for Heathcote is hopefully cracking the Tigers lineup on a full-time basis. The former North Island Silvertip (BCMML) played one regular season game in the WHL as an affiliate player last season.

“I think I just need to get a little bit faster so I can get my spots to score at the next level,” Heathcote said.

Bucs’ coach Dan Lemmon said Heathcote has had a spectacular season and has steadily improved in all facets of his game.

“He’s an exceptional talent,” said Lemmon. “It’s well-earned for Rookie of the Year, well-earned for Most Sportsmanlike Player, he plays the game hard, but he plays the game fair. He’s a great representative to get awards for the Buccaneers.”

Meantime, Jake Calverley, a stalwart on the Bucs’ blueline, did not play after suffering a serious cut on his arm during Wednesday night’s practice. He was hospitalized and seen heavily bandaged at the game Thursday.

The Buccaneers are in Saanich to face the Braves on Friday night, before Nanaimo closes out the regular season on Monday night versus the Campbell River Storm at 7 p.m.

Nanaimo hosts the Comox Valley Glacier Kings in game one of the the first round of the playoffs in a best of seven series which begins Thursday night, Feb. 23 at 7:15 p.m.

A feature article on Lemmon, who has been named the league’s Coach of the Year, will be available Friday afternoon on NanaimoNewsNOW.