March 16, 2004

The Minnesota Junior Hockey League announced today its individual postseason awards and All-MJHL First and Second teams for the 2003-04 season, as selected by MJHL coaches and general managers.

Minnesota Ice Hawks forward Brad Wiechmann was named the league's Most Valuable Player, Offensive Player of the Year and to the All-MJHL First Team. The 5-foot-11, 165-pounder from Austin, Minn., ran away with the league scoring title, posting 35 goals for 78 points in 39 regular-season games, helping the Ice Hawks to a second-place finish in the standings.

Other multiple award winners include: Dubuque ThunderBirds goaltender Chris Gardeski (Goaltender of the Year/All-MJHL First Team) and Minnesota Owls defenseman Dominic Morris (Defensive Player of the Year/All-MJHL First Team).

ThunderBirds coach Josh Hauge was named Coach of the Year, while Ice Hawks GM Mike Fatis and St. Paul Lakers GM Scott Ludwig were named co-General Manager of the Year. The regular-season champion ThunderBirds were named Organization of the Year.

“The league congratulates the award winners for their outstanding efforts this season,” said MJHL commissioner Bob Breu. “The bar has again been raised as it relates to talent and operations.”