(FREDERICTON, NB) Justine Comeau, of the women’s curling team, and Tyler Boland, of the men’s hockey team, were recognized Tuesday as the UNB Reds female and male Athletes of the Year, for the 2019-2020 season.
The awards were presented, during a day-long celebration, on two of the Reds social media platforms, Tuesday. The on-line event was held due to the cancellation of UNB’s annual awards gala, part of the response to the current pandemic.
Comeau becomes the first curler to earn the Colin B. Mackay Shield, as the Reds female Athlete of the Year.
“This is a huge honour and surprise,” said Comeau, who guided the Reds to a silver medal at the 2020 U SPORTS Women’s Curling Championship, in Portage la Prairie, Manitoba, earning 1st Team All-Canadian honours in the process. “Being the first curler to receive this award is an incredible feeling and, hopefully, a sign of things to come for UNB Curling.”
“I want to thank my teammates Erica, Keira, and Meghan for helping me look good by sweeping my rocks end to end, and for being great friends. I also want to thank my coach and Dad, Tim, for all the time and dedication he’s shown throughout the years. This would not have been possible without him.”
Boland was awarded the James Downey Shield, as the Reds male Athlete of the Year.
He led the country in scoring, with 20 goals and 28 assists, leading the Reds to their 13th consecutive Atlantic University Sport regular season title. In the AUS playoffs, Boland added three goals and five assists as the Reds went 5-1, winning their third straight Atlantic conference championship.
The third-year forward was named a 1st Team AUS All-Star and 1st Team All-Canadian.
“This award is a huge honour for me, as here at UNB we have one of the best athletic programs in the country,” said Boland, the fifth member of the men’s hockey team to win the award in the past six years. “It’s very special, when you look back at the great athletes that have won this award before, and all the great athletes we have at our school. I am honoured, grateful, and extremely proud to be able to compete for UNB and wear the Reds colours.”
“I’d also like to thank my teammates, coaches, support staff, and our fans, for the support they’ve shown me and our team this past season,” Boland added.
Boland’s teammate Samuel Harvey was named UNB’s male Rookie of the Year.
Harvey was 14-2 in his first season in the Reds net, posting a 1.87 goals against average, second only to teammate Rylan Parenteau in the AUS. Harvey and Parenteau combined to register the best team goals against average in the country.
Harvey went 4-1 during the AUS playoffs, posting a 1.21 goals against average.
He was named to the AUS and U SPORTS All-Rookie Teams.
“I’m really proud to win this award,” said Harvey. “The first thing that comes to my mind, is the help of my teammates throughout the year. They made me feel comfortable as a rookie right away, and they played outstandingly in front of me. I’d also like to thanks my coaches, who had trust in me.”
“I’m honored that UNB has selected me as male rookie of the year, and I’m looking forward to more exciting moments next year with the team,” said Harvey.
Marley Van Den Oetelaar, of the Reds women’s hockey team, is female Rookie of the Year.
The first-year defender played in 27 regular season games, recording one goal and three assists, and posting a plus-4 plus/minus rating. In five playoff games, Van Den Oetelaar added a goal and an assist, as the Reds advanced to the AUS semi-finals.
She was named to the AUS All-Rookie Team.
“I’m very proud and honoured to receive this award. I am very thankful and excited that I have been chosen,” said Van Den Oetelaar. “This award means that our women’s hockey program continues to improve and be successful. I have great teammates that help make my accomplishments easier to achieve and a supportive coaching staff. I know we’ve all committed to working hard and developing together.”
Mikaela Dodig, of the women’s basketball team, was named winner of the Garnet Copeland Award, presented to the Reds top all-round student-athlete, taking into consideration the individual’s excellence as a student and citizen in the community, while participating in a varsity sport.
The fourth-year guard was named winner of the AUS Student-Athlete Community Service Award in women’s basketball, for extensive volunteer efforts, which include founding and co-chairing what was to be the first Women In Sport conference to be held at UNB, initiating the ‘She Is Active’ program with the Reds, being a member of the Student-Athlete Mental Health Initiative, and a volunteer at the Fredericton Community Kitchen.
In the classroom, Dodig holds a 4.1 grade point average, and has maintained Academic All-Canadian status since her arrival at UNB.
On the court, she started all 20 regular season games for the Reds, averaging 14.6 points and more than three assists per game, earning 2nd Team AUS All-Star honours.
“To me, being a student-athlete is more than just competing in your sport, it is also about giving back to your community and working hard in the classroom,” said Dodig. “It takes hard work and good time management to be a student-athlete, but at UNB, it's easy to enjoy basketball, school and being involved in the community. I’m extremely honoured to be this year’s recipient of this award.”
The Dean’s Award for UNB Coach of the Year was presented to Chris Belof, of the women’s and men’s cross country and track and field teams.
Belof, in his third season as leader of the Reds teams, guided the UNB men to the bronze medal in the team competition at the 2019 AUS Cross Country Championships, and the Reds women to a 5th place finish.
At the 2020 AUS Track and Field Championships, Belof led the UNB men to a 2nd place finish in the team competition and the women to 4th.
Three Reds student-athletes qualified for the U SPORTS Championships, all three placing in the top 10 in their events.
“It’s a huge honour, not only for me but our entire program,” said Belof. “This is truly a humbling moment for me as head coach because there are so many assistant coaches, therapy staff, alumni, donors and friends of the program that contribute so much to make our program what it is each year. This recognition really highlights the team effort that is put in season after season from a very passionate and driven group of people. It’s humbling to be listed with the previous winners and be a part of such an outstanding Reds athletics culture.”
“Most importantly, this award speaks volumes to the culture and energy that our athletes bring to practice, day in and day out. They make each day enjoyable, and for that I'm extremely thankful,” he added.
Eric Meng, a graduating member of the Reds men’s swimming team, is the winner of the Brunswickan Academic Achievement Award.
The fourth year biology student was named winner of the AUS Men’s Swimming Student-Athlete Community Service Award for work that included being the co-founder of the UNB International Swim Program, an initiative to teach water safety skills to new immigrants to the Fredericton area, his peer mentor work in UNB’s Faculty of Science, and his service on numerous committees and councils.
Meng is a three-time Academic All-Canadian, and on pace to add a fourth year, and boasts a 4.3 cumulative grade point average.
“Winning the Brunswickan Award is a testament to my amazing friends, family, teammates, coaches, and the Reds administrative staff,” said Meng. “Their support has been the cornerstone of balancing the heavy workload that I know all of our UNB student-athletes face every day. Swimmers have, arguably, the busiest training schedule of any sport. Winning this award says more about the culture of academic excellence within the swim team than it does about me.”
Brad Good, who just completed his 7th season as an assistant coach with the men’s hockey team, was named the recipient of the prestigious James Born Award.
Good has been part of the Reds coaching staff since 2013, and has helped UNB win three national championships in that time.
"It’s exciting to be named winner of the James Born Award and join a list of well-respected winners of the past,” said Good. “I’m fortunate to be part of a well-oiled machine in our men's hockey program. My coaching contributions are a small part of a much larger group of players, coaches, trainers, and staff that all work together towards a collective goal. We want our players to succeed in the classroom and on the ice, and I love that everyone does their daily part to build towards our team goal of winning championships each season.”
“Our coaching staff has a great dynamic and I'd like to thank them,” added Good. “I've learned a lot working with them and look forward to continued success. I'd also like to thank my wife, Leah, for all her support and putting up with many late game nights and weekend road trips.”
TEAM AWARDS
SPORT ROOKIE RED & BLACK AWARD MVP
W Basketball Jolianne Guay Bailey Black Mikaela Dodig
M Basketball Marcus Masters Ibrahima Doumbouya Chris Spurrell
W Cross Country - Lynette Manuel Hannah Cormier
M Cross Country Jeremy Neuffer Ian Verschoor Isaac Cull
W Curling Erica Cluff Keira McLaughlin Justine Comeau
M Curling Parker MacFayden Alex Gallant Connor Good
W Hockey Marley Van Den Oetelaar Hanna Matchett Ashley Stratton
M Hockey Samuel Harvey Rylan Parenteau Tyler Boland
W Soccer Cynthia Smith Brynn Nash Sylvie Fecteau
M Soccer - Nick Ellingwood Off. Ben Gorringe
Def. Evan Barker
W Swimming Lauren Goodine Bea Lougheed Leah Smal
M Swimming - Michael Walz Erik Staeben
W Track & Field Tavia Salkey Erin McCavour Victoria LeBlanc
M Track & Field Ben Perrott Braden Harrison Jarod Manuel
W Volleyball Katelyn Chapman Robyn Anderson Victoria Eadle
M Volleyball Thomas Vickers Johnathan Curry Connor McConnell
M Wrestling Jonathan Morrison - -