The North American Hockey League (NAHL) announced today its All-Division teams and honors for the 2015-16 season. The divisional teams and honors represent the four divisions in the NAHL: Central, East, Midwest and South Divisions, as voted upon and selected by the league’s 22 head coaches. The awards are based on performance during the 2015-16 regular season. Three Rebels players, head coach Joe Coombs and the organization were East Division winners.
The All-East Division team included forward Ryan Cusin, defenseman Kristofers Bindulis and goaltender Darion Hanson. Bindulis also was named the East Division’s Most Valuable Player and Defensemen of the Year. Hanson was named East Division goalie of the year while head coach Joe Coombs was name Coach of the Year. The team was selected as organization of the year.
Bindulis, arguably the best player in the entire league, had a superb season. The left-hand shooting defenseman had 46 points on the year, which was fourth most on the team. He had 10 goals and 36 assists (tied for first on the team). He had a +13 +/- ratio. Early in the year he committed to Lake Superior State. He also received the Rebels MVP and best defenseman of the year awards.
Cusin, with whom the Rebels received in a trade at the beginning of the season, had a total of 50 points as a Rebel (55 in all). He had 14 goals and 36 assists (tied with Bindulis for most on the team). He had a +17 +/- ratio. The Westland, MI native played in the NAHL’s Top Prospects Tournament in January, and he was co-award winner as the Rebels forward of the year.
The awards keep coming for the Rebel netminder. Hanson was just named to the NAHL’s All-Rookie first team and the East Division rookie team. The East Bethel, MN native, who just committed to Union College, had a 21-11-0 record during the regular season. He had a 2.28 goals against average and .914 save percentage with three shutouts. He also played in the NAHL’s Top Prospects Tournament in January, and he won the Rebels’ Rookie of the Year award during Fan Appreciation Night.
Coombs guided the Rebels to the inaugural East Division championship with a 35-21-4 record. He was the assistant head coach for the East Division in the league’s Top Prospects Tournament. The Brantford, ON native, who recently had his contract extended, has a 95-54-21 record during the past three years.
