The Nipawin Hawks held their awards banquet on Saturday at the Legion. (Image Credit: Clark Stork/northeastNOW Staff)

By Clark Stork

Hawks hardware

Hawks celebrate season with awards banquet

Mar 17, 2026 | 10:10 AM

The Nipawin Hawks wrapped up their most successful regular season since the 2019-20 Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League (SJHL) year on Friday with an 8-2 win over the Mustangs.

On Saturday at the Nipawin Legion, the team held their awards banquet to highlight the seasons from some of the Hawks.

Mason Karakochuk and Eric Hoiness headlined the event each taking home multiple honours.

Hoiness, 21, was the teams’ top scorer, second star (accumulated throughout the year), and a co-winner of the most valuable player award with goaltender Gage Roberts. Karakochuk was the teams’ third star, voted fan favourite and the top forward.

The list of award winners are below.

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Unsung Hero

Left to right; Jack Janzen and Shayne Pickering

3rd Star

Left to Right; Greg Tourand and Mason Karakochuk

2nd Star

Left to Right; Greg Tourand and Eric Hoiness

1st Star

Left to Right; Greg Haluke and Gage Roberts

Top Scorer

Left to right; Shayne Pickering and Eric Hoiness

Clark J. Froelich Community Service Award

Left to right; Tad Kozun and Finley Radloff

Joel ‘Goobs” Verklan For the Love of the Game Award

Left to right; Van Taylor and Emma Galloway

Fan Favourite

Left to right; Nathan Scott and Mason Karakochuk

Rookie of the Year

Left to right; Mike Pfeifer and Sean Shiels

Top Forward

Left to right; Nathan Scott and Mason Karakochuk

Top Defenseman

Left to right; Mike Pfeifer and Raydr Wallington

Most Valuable Player(s)

Left to right; Rob Wallington, Gage Roberts, and Eric Hoiness

The Hawks will start the playoffs on Friday against Weyburn. Faceoff is 7 p.m. at the Centennial Arena. Game two is Saturday before the series shifts to the Whitecap Resources Centre in Weyburn on Tuesday and Wednesday.