The Clippers wrapped up their 2024-25 season with an awards ceremony. The team thanked billets and fans, honoured their graduating players and recognized outstanding individual performances. (Gary Dorland)

By Dan Marshall

Saying Goodbye

Awards celebration puts a cap on Clippers 2024-25 season

Apr 17, 2025 | 10:17 AM

NANAIMO — The Clippers concluded their 2024-25 season with their annual awards ceremony.

The team took time to acknowledge their fans and volunteers, say goodbye to graduation players and hand out 13 different awards.

Coach Colin Birkas said it was a year like no other with player movement due to new NCAA eligibility rules.

“It was challenging but we stuck together. I have to thank our leaders and our players for staying committed to the cause.”

The Clippers veteran leadership group was well represented with awards including the Coaches Award going to captain Connor DeTurris.

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Cole Lonsdale was named as the team MVP, Dylan Kinch was Most Exciting and Luke Lavery was picked as the Most Popular Player.

Goalie Chazz Nixon earned the Scholastic Award for Academic Achievement.

First year Clippers were also recognized with Nathan Larioza winning the Most Improved Player and Tanner Bruender taking home the Best Two Way Player.

The Top Defenceman trophy was shared by Julian Brown and Garin Ludwig who both won other awards as well.

Ludwig was the team’s Unsung Hero and Brown was voted as the Most Inspirational.

Anthony Biakabutuka was given Rookie of the Year honours after leading the club in rookie scoring this past season.

Rounding out the awards were the Leading Scorer shared by Dylan Kinch and Cole Lonsdale and the Volunteer of the Year which was split between James Richards and Jordan Maheux.

Most of the Clippers are eligible to return next season but 20-year-olds DeTurris, Lonsdale, Kinch, Nixon, Lavery and James Johnson have now graduated from the BCHL.

There was a short video tribute to those players and each was given one of their game jerseys.

Birkas shared his optimism for the direction of the team for the 2025-26 campaign, noting Nanaimo had one of the best records in the entire BCHL from January to March.

Two former Clippers made headlines with had an impressive end to their NCAA season.

Tim Washe and Robby Drazner helped Western Michigan University to a win in the NCAA Frozen Four tournament.

Washe went on to sign a one year entry level contract with the Anaheim Ducks on Apr. 14.

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