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Shae Demale (left), a forward for Huskies Women's Hockey, and Andrew Peverill (right), from Huskies Cross Country / Track & Field, were named the Huskies Athletes of the Year at the 2021-22 Award's Banquet on April 4, 2022.
Shae Demale (left), a forward for Huskies Women's Hockey, and Andrew Peverill (right), from Huskies Cross Country / Track & Field, were named the Huskies Athletes of the Year at the 2021-22 Award's Banquet on April 4, 2022.
Posted: Apr 06, 2022

2021-22 Huskies Award Night: Demale, Peverill named Athletes of the Year

Saint Mary's Department of Athletics and Recreation is proud to celebrate the outstanding accomplishments of the many student-athletes and teams during the 2021-22 season.

On April 4, 2022, the Huskies Athletic Award Banquet returned to an in-person ceremony for the first time since 2019. While the ceremony was split into Fall Sports awards and Winter Sports awards, it was great to see so many student-athletes, coaches, managers, volunteers, and special guests come together to celebrate a great seasons of Saint Mary's Athletics. This season, Saint Mary's celebrated eight U SPORTS All-Canadian/All-Rookie Team selections, 23 AUS All-Star/All-Rookie selections, and five AUS Major Award Winners.

Women's Hockey forward Shae Demale and Men's Cross Country/Track & Field Athlete Andrew Peverill, headlined the awards taking the male and female Athletes of the Year. Below is a complete listing of all major award winners and team MVP's:

ATHLETE OF THE YEAR (F)

Shae Demale, Women's Hockey

Women's Hockey forward Shae Demale, a third year from Red Deer, AB, has been named the 2021-22 Huskies Female Athlete of the Year.

Demale had a season to remember, being named AUS Most Valuable Player, and a U SPORTS First Team All-Canadian. She led the country in scoring with 25 points, goals with 13, and top five in assists with 12, powerplay goals with 4 and shots with 86, and helped power the Huskies to a 16-4-1 regular season record, and the #1 U SPORTS ranking for two weeks in November.

ATHLETE OF THE YEAR (M)

Andrew Peverill, Men's Cross Country/Track & Field

Andrew Peverill, a fourth year runner from Sackville, N.S., has been named the 2021-22 Huskies Male Athlete of the Year.

During the Cross Country season, Peverill was named AUS Cross Country Runner of the Year. He won the gold medal at the AUS Championship for his second consecutive title, and also finished first at the Acadia Invitational Meet and the St. FX Invitational Meet. He also finished fourth in the AUS/RSEQ Interlock Meet, the highest finisher from the AUS, and competed at the U SPORTS Cross Country Championship in Quebec City, finishing 20th.

In Track & Field, Peverill won silver medals at the AUS Championships in both the 1000m and 1500m, setting a new Saint Mary's record in the 1500m. He also anchored the 4x400 and 4x800 relay teams to Bronze medals, and competed at the U SPORTS National Championships in the 1000m and 1500m, finishing 9th and 13th in the nation respectively.

PRESIDENT'S AWARD (F)

Clara Gascoigne, Women's Basketball

Women's Basketball guard Clara Gascoigne, a second year from Dartmouth, N.S., has been named the 2021-22 Huskies Female President's Award winner.

Gascoigne had an outstanding season on the court, leading the Huskies in rebounding, steals and blocks, and finishing top ten in the conference in many categories including minutes played, and scoring. She was named an AUS Second Team All-Star and put on a show at the AUS Championship, being named a Tournament All-Star.

Off the court, Gascoigne excelled in the classroom with a GPA of 4.22. She is already a leader for a young Huskies team, and also is a role model in her community and assists in coaching with Huskies Summer Camps.

PRESIDENT'S AWARD (M)

Matthew Welsh, Men's Hockey

Men's Hockey goaltender Matthew Welsh, a first year from Halifax, N.S. has been named the 2021-22 Huskies Male President's Award winner.

On the ice, Welsh started 18 games for the Huskies this season, and led the AUS in minutes played and total saves.

Off the ice, Welsh is dedicated to improving his community and won the AUS Godfrey Award for Student-Athlete Community Service. He is a player ambassador for Hockey Gives Blood, an organization that promotes the need for blood, plasma and stem cell donation in partnership with Canadian Blood Services. As part of this volunteer role, he helps to organize blood drives and raises awareness of the organization and its mission. In 2020 he was given the Dayna Brons Honorary Award for an individual in the hockey community who exhibits outstanding dedication towards patients who rely on blood and stem cell products in Canada.

Welsh also continues to foster a strong relationship with the Children's Wish Foundation, taking time to tour young cancer survivors around his team's facilities. Saint Mary's head coach Tyler Naugler calls him "an exceptional role model for all youth he has come in contact with."

A commerce student aiming to pursue an MBA, Welsh has been named to the Dean's List and is an Academic All-Canadian, with a GPA of 3.79. 

ROOKIE OF THE YEAR (F)

Kara MacLean, Women's Hockey

Women's Hockey forward Kara MacLean, a first year from Antigonish, N.S., has been named the 2021-22 Huskies Female Rookie of the Year.

A highly recruited player, MacLean exceeded expectations and was named to the AUS All-Rookie Team. In 20 games this season, she tied for second on the Huskies and second among all AUS first year players with 17 points, and tied for the league lead in game winning goals with five. 

ROOKIE OF THE YEAR (M)

Justin MacPherson, Men's Hockey

Men's Hockey defenceman Justin MacPherson, a first year from Newmarket, ON, has been named the 2021-22 Huskies Male Rookie of the Year. 

MacPherson made an immediate impact on both ends of the ice this season. He led all AUS defencemen in goals with 5, assists with 16 and points with 21, and was named a U SPORTS Second Team All-Canadian, AUS First Team All-Star, and to both the U SPORTS and AUS All-Rookie Teams. He was also named MVP of the Huskies Men's Hockey team.

UNSUNG HERO – JOHN JONES MEMORIAL AWARD

Renee Cleveland, Volleyball

Women's Volleyball libero Renee Cleveland, a fourth year from Saint-Martin, N.S. has been named the 2021-22 John Jones Memorial Award winner for Female Unsung Hero.

Cleveland was a leader for a Huskies team that was ranked in the U SPORTS Top 10 for most of the year and made it to the AUS Championship Final. Cleveland appeared in every match for the Huskies, and finished third in the conference in digs with 215. Her consistency and dedication was appreciated by her coaches and teammates, as was her willingness to sacrifice her body to keep the play alive!

Adam Dunsworth, Men's Soccer

Men's Soccer defenceman Adam Dunsworth, a third year from Halifax, N.S. has been named the 2021-22 John Jones Memorial Award winner for Male Unsung Hero.

Dunsworth started all 12 games for the Huskies and scored two goals, including one at the U SPORTS Nationals. He was a solid presence on the Huskies backline and a veteran leader who was a key factor in leading the team to their best season in 10 years, reaching the AUS final and qualifying for nationals.

VERN CREIGHTON AWARD, MANAGER OF THE YEAR

Mike Fines, Men's & Women's Hockey 

Mike Fines, equipment manager for the Huskies men's and women's hockey teams, won the 2021-22 Vern Creighton Award for Huskies Manager of the Year.

Fines is recognized as one of the most dedicated, hardest working members of the Huskies family, ensuring all is ready for both teams at home and on the road. On top of his team organization, he's the biggest fan and supporter of Huskies hockey. 

VOLUNTEER OF THE YEAR – ROBERT G. HAYES AWARD

Janice Cougle, Women's Rugby

The 2021-22 Robert G. Hayes Award for Volunteer of the Year went to Janice Cougle, assistant coach with Huskies Rugby. Janice consistently displays great commitment to the sport of rugby, and is involved as a coach, official and organizer. We're very lucky to have her as part of our Huskies family!

STUDENT THERAPISTS – DR. DAVID PETRIE AWARD

Jessica Reddin (Fall 2021) 

From working solo with the women's soccer team to aiding the men's hockey team, Jessica has shown exceptional determination and confidence. Jessica shows great leadership skills, and also coaches National Development Canoe and Kayak Athletes.

Yasmean Milleti (Winter 2022)  

Completing her second year with the women's volleyball team, Yasmean shows exceptional dedication to her work and the athletes she works with. Yasmean has become a leader in the program and improved her skills, a testament to all of her hard work. Congratulations Yasmean!

Team Awards:

Rugby:
Rookie of the Year: Lauren Maye
Most Valuable Player: Elish Redshaw

Football:
Rookie of the Year: Kyle Wilson
Most Valuable Player: Justin Julien

Women's Soccer:
Rookie of the Year: Virginia Boone
Most Valuable Player: Kamryn Brimicombe

Men's Soccer:
Rookie of the Year: Sean Freeman
Most Valuable Player: Cian Tousignant O'Siadhail

Women's Cross Country:
Rookie of the Year: Gracie Avery
Most Valuable Athlete: Gael Cameron

Men's Cross Country:
Rookie of the Year: Rory McGarvey
Most Valuable Athlete: Andrew Peverill

Women's Track & Field:
Rookie of the Year: Lily Wylie
Most Valuable Athlete: Emily Batt

Men's Track & Field:
Rookie of the Year: Dante Isadore
Most Valuable Athlete: Andrew Peverill

Women's Volleyball:
Rookie of the Year: Nada Hassanin
Most Valuable Player: Megan Bruhm

Men's Basketball:
Rookie of the Year: Jayrell Diggs
Most Valuable Player: Nikita Kasongo

Women's Basketball:
Rookie of the Year: Jade Curwin
Most Valuable Player: Clara Gascoigne

Men's Hockey:
Rookie of the Year: Justin MacPherson
Most Valuable Player: Justin MacPherson

Women's Hockey:
Rookie of the Year: Kara MacLean
Most Valuable Player: Shae Demale