Titan wrap up 2022-23 season with annual Awards Banquet

BATHURST, N.B. – The Acadie-Bathurst Titan celebrated its 2022-23 award winners Sunday night at Danny’s Hotel & Suites in Beresford. The annual end of the year awards banquet highlighted the achievements of Titan players, staff and volunteers throughout the 2022-23 season. Overall, seven players took home awards.

Defenceman Ty Higgins was named the Humanitarian Personality of the Year, for his level of commitment to the local community. Throughout the course of the season, he attended various school visits, much to the delight of young hockey fans, and is currently a Player Ambassador with Hockey Gives Blood. He also volunteered his time at spaghetti suppers, happily serving up a delicious dish of pasta for a good cause. And, of course, he is always ready to talk and interact with Titan fans, much to their delight.

Never one to shy away from battling for the puck or blocking a shot, forward Joseph Henneberry received the Most Courageous Player award. Henneberry’s heart, drive and character in the face of adversity are integral parts of his game. He finished the season with 18 goals and 18 assists for 36 points in 58 games.

Next on the list of winners is Emile Perron, who took home the Most Improved Player award. A mature person who takes his schooling and hockey seriously, the defenceman from Gatineau, Quebec registered nine assists in 66 games this season, earning more ice time and more than doubling his goal and two assists from his rookie 2021-22 season with Cape Breton. He has shown through discipline and hard work that he is willing to bring his game to the next level.

Prince Edward Island’s Harry Clements received the Most Underestimated Player award Sunday night. The gritty, physical blueliner was one of the top defenceman all season for the Titan, and is already showing signs of being a leader both on and off the ice. Well respected by his teammates and coaching staff, Clements had four goals and 13 assists to finish the 2022-23 year with 17 points in 66 games.

Fellow Prince Edward Island native Donovan Arsenault picked up the Fan Favourite Award, receiving the most votes from the Titan fans. The 18-year-old forward came to Bathurst in a trade with the Gatineau Olympiques in January and finished the season with 21 goals and 17 assists for 38 points in 66 games.

Mylene Ouellet-Leblanc was named the Volunteer of the Year for her tireless work and dedication in promoting and supporting the Acadie-Bathurst Titan within the community. Ouellet-Leblanc puts all her heart, time and energy into making anything she does a success. The team’s Content & Media Relations Coordinator Bryer MacPherson, won the Employee of the Year. Whether he is working on a new graphic for the website or meticulously keeping the team’s social media pages fresh and engaging, his knowledge of the Titan is unparalleled and his work ethic is unquestionable.

Ben Allison, Cole Larkin and Joshua Fleming took home the most hardware Sunday night in front of teammates, fans and the community.

Larkin, a gritty defenceman who led his team on and off the ice, was named the Student of the Year and the Defensive Player of the Year. The captain’s character and drive speak for itself. Larkin is in his second year studying at Acadia University and maintains a high GPA, with grades ranging between ‘B+’ to ‘A+’. Throughout the course of his five seasons competing in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League, he played a total of 283 games, and tallied 90 points.

Fleming was named the Rookie of the Year and the Stars Cup winner. His quiet confidence, self-awareness and uncanny ability to focus on the task at hand is unquestionable. He understands the job that needs to be done, and will execute it with precision and humility. Never one to shy away from a challenge, or to earn his place on the roster, Fleming finished the season with an 11-21-3-1 record in 38 games with a 3.55 goals against average and 0.903 save percentage. For the Stars Cup, he won two first star, two second star and six third star selections, to finish his rookie season with 16 points.

Lastly, Allison was named the 2023 Offensive Player of the Year and the Most Valuable Player. The skilled forward continuously improved his game every year since joining the organization during the 2019-20 season. Allison lead the Titan in points this year, to finish his 20-year-old season with career highs. He registered 32 goals and 42 assists for 74 points in 66 games.

Thank you to our wonderful community and fans for another incredible season of major junior hockey! We will see you back at the K.C. Irving Regional Centre this fall when the puck drops on the 2023-24 season. GO TITAN GO!