True value
Di Perna, Mascherin triple winners at Rangers year-end awards
KITCHENER — Dylan Di Perna was an important player all season.
But his true value really came out in the playoffs when the overage defenceman raised his game to a new level for the Kitchener Rangers.
The 20-year-old tied forward Adam Mascherin by picking up a team-high three awards — best performer in the playoffs, best offensive defenceman and top humanitarian — at the club’s year-end awards ceremony Monday night at the Aud.
Di Perna was the last veteran blueliner standing when the Rangers were eliminated by the Owen Sound Attack in five games in the Ontario Hockey League’s Western Conference quarter-finals this past Friday.
Injuries to fellow experienced rearguards Frank Hora, Andrew Burns, Doug Blaisdell and Connor Hall meant Kitchener had to lean on the Woodbridge native more than usual in the postseason.
“Dylan raised his game about three or four levels (in the playoffs),” said McKee. “I thought he was a man against kids on the ice. He probably had more hits in the series than our whole team combined.
“He just brought it every night. If he plays like that all the time, he is going to be a good pro. I can guarantee there were players on the other team that did not want to be on the ice against him.”
Di Perna led all Rangers blueliners with nine goals, 29 assists and 38 points this past season and was a staple around Waterloo Region on many of the team’s community outings.
Mascherin was named the team’s most valuable player after he collected 100 points during his third season in the league. The 18-year-old became the first Ranger to reach the century mark in six years.
The Florida Panthers prospect also won the Jim Reilly Trophy as the team’s leading scorer and took the three-star award that goes to the player with the most three-star selections after home games.
“We had a young forward group and Mascherin continued to be our offensive motor,” said McKee.
“Without him on our team this year, our power play and offensive production wouldn’t have been the same. He was really valuable on the offensive side of things for us.”
Hora, who watched the season end on the sidelines with a concussion, won the award for best defensive ability, while fellow overager Darby Llewellyn was honoured for outstanding team effort.
Rugged winger Jake Henderson got the nod as the fan favourite with the most popular player award, and forward Jonathan Yantsis was voted best dressed by fans during an inseason contest sponsored by a local menswear shop.
Joseph Garreffa was chosen as the most improved player after a breakout season that saw him go from three goals and 13 points as a rookie to 25 goals and 60 points during his sophomore campaign.
Greg Meireles beat several strong candidates for rookie of the year by posting 17 goals and 25 assists, which was tops among the club’s freshmen. Rangers goal-scoring leader Connor Bunnaman was deemed the team’s most gentlemanly player.