PEORIA — The defending SPHL champion Peoria Rivermen will start chasing the President’s Cup next week.
But on Tuesday they joined the Rivermen Captain’s Booster Club for their annual spring banquet in which they celebrated a great season with food, fellowship and three timeless trophies that represent the heart of the 43-year pro hockey franchise.
The dinner, desserts and drinks at Raber Packing (3000 W. Farmington Rd, West Peoria) were followed by the team’s awards ceremony.
Rivermen captain Alec Baer was named to the Mark Olson Trophy, which represents dedication to the sport and the community.
Veteran winger Jordan Ernst was named to the Pete BardezBanian Award, which is awarded by the booster club to its most popular player.
And the Bruce Saurs Leadership Award — chosen by coach Jean-Guy Trudel — went to Zach Wilkie, the SPHL’s top defenseman.
The late Saurs was the longtime owner of the Rivermen, and saved the franchise when he bought it nearly 40 years ago. Olson and the late BardezBanian were pioneers and advocates for the game’s origins in central Illinois.
All three hold a place of honor in the Rivermen Hall of Fame.
“It’s a great opportunity to have this night with our booster club, with our team owner (Bart Rogers), with our players, all together,” Trudel said. “We’re celebrating another great season together. It seems like the support, the fanbase, continues to grow in the community, what a fanbase we have.”
Counting on the crowds
Indeed, Rivermen attendance during its title defense season is averaging 4,323 per game, fourth-highest in the 10-team league, with a season-ending game coming on Saturday.
That attendance is Peoria’s highest of its SPHL era, which began in 2013-14. It has increased three straight years and has grown 58% from the 2021-22 season.
“We appreciate such great support, because this has been the toughest season I’ve ever had,” said Trudel, who has burned through a 43-year franchise single-season record 60 players while trying to plug roster holes from injuries and call-ups. “Some really unfortunate things have happened to this hockey team. But I feel so lucky to have these guys.
“We have an entirely different defense group and maybe three or four forwards left from opening night, but no matter who joins us they seem to buy in carry on and win games. These guys have been terrific.”
The end of the stretch run
The Rivermen head into the final weekend of the season with a game at Quad City on Friday, then a rematch on Saturday in Carver Arena.
The SPHL deadline to submit final 20-man rosters follows at 2 p.m. central time on Sunday.
Peoria has two key players on injured reserve — forward Mike McChesney and Wilkie.
But under new SPHL roster rules, they will not count on the final 20-man roster. They can remain on injured reserve and be added during postseason if they are cleared to play, and in turn Peoria would have to remove two players to make room.
The same goes for any players Peoria has on call-up to the ECHL. Those players can come down and join the Rivermen playoff run at any time, but each man added requires someone on the current roster to be removed.
“We can’t wait to get started in the playoffs,” Trudel said. “It’s a community event for us. We play hockey because we love it. But you have to have someone to share it with.
“That’s what makes it special.”
River Readings
Rivermen winger Mike Gelatt received a one-game suspension from the SPHL for his major boarding penalty in Sunday’s game at Evansville. He’ll miss Friday’s game at Quad City. … The Rivermen signed forward Zachary Purcell on Tuesday. The 5-foot-9, 165-pounder played the last two seasons at NCAA Div.-III SUNY-Geneseo. He had 17 goals and 12 assists in 29 games this season, and will make his pro debut with Peoria. … The Rivermen also will sign NCAA Div.-III Utica University defenseman Brian Scoville, as soon as on Wednesday. He played one season at NCAA Div-I Alabama-Huntsville, then spent the last four games at D-III Utica University, which was Utica College before its formal name change in 2022. Scoville had 18 goals and 72 assists there in 119 games. He’ll make his pro debut with the Rivermen, who are searching for a defenseman with power play assets. In his ’23-24 season, he was a first-team All-American, UCHC Defensive Player of the Year and UCHC Player of the Year. The 6-3, 216-pounder played two seasons of junior hockey with the Langley Rivermen, who at one time were believed to be in trademark infringement of the Rivermen logo and name.
Rivermen hockey Pete BardezBanian Award
Named for Rivermen Hall of Fame, builders inductee, Pete BardezBanian, and awarded annually during the franchise’s IHL, ECHL, AHL and SPHL eras by the Captains’ Booster Club to the team’s Most Popular Player.
- 1983 — Brad Kempthorne, c.
- 1984 — Jerry August, d.
- 1985 — Bob “The Hammer” Fleming, w.
- 1986 — Bob “The Hammer” Fleming, w.
- 1987 — John Vecchiarelli, c.
- 1988 — Grant Rezansoff, c.
- 1989 — Darrell May, g.
- 1990 — Richard Pion, w.
- 1991 — Richard Pion, w.
- 1992 — Richard Pion, w.
- 1993 — Richard Pion, w.
- 1994 — Geoff Sarjeant, g.
- 1995 — Parris Duffus, g.
- 1996 — Ron Hoover, c.
- 1997 — Dustin McArthur, w.
- 1998 — Jean-Guy Trudel, w and Marcel Kuris, g.
- 1999 — Joe Rybar, c.
- 2000 — Luke Gruden, d.
- 2001 — Tyler Willis, c.
- 2002 — Ryan Finnerty, c.
- 2003 — Duane Derksen, g.
- 2004 — Ken Goetz, w.
- 2005 — Alfie Michaud, g.
- 2006 — Colin Hemingway, w.
- 2007 — Cam Keith, w.
- 2008 — Jean-Guy Trudel, w.
- 2009 — Eric Neilson, w.
- 2010 — Derek Armstrong, c.
- 2011 — Jake Allen, g.
- 2012 — Kyle Hagel, w.
- 2013 — Mike McKenna, g.
- 2014 — Taylor Larsen, w.
- 2015 — Matt Summers, w.
- 2016 — Matt Summer, w.
- 2017 — Ben Oskroba, d.
- 2018 — Mike Economos, w.
- 2019 — Austin Vieth, w.
- 2020 — Skyler Smutek, d.
- 2021 — no season/pandemic.
- 2022 — Zach Wilkie, d.
- 2023 — Zach Wilkie, d.
- 2024 — Tristan Trudel, w.
- 2025 — Jordan Ernst, w-d.
Rivermen hockey Mark Olson Trophy
Named for Rivermen Hall of Fame, builders inductee, Mark Olson, and awarded annually during the franchise’s IHL, ECHL, AHL and SPHL eras by the Captains’ Booster Club to the player who demonstrates devotion to the team, the sport and the community.
- 1986 — Bob “The Hammer” Fleming, w.
- 1987 — Mike Posavad, d.
- 1988 — Dave Thomlinson, w.
- 1989 — Darrell May, g.
- 1990 — Richard Pion, w.
- 1991 — Dave Thomlinson, w.
- 1992 — Richard Pion, w.
- 1993 — Ron Hoover, c.
- 1994 — Michel Mongeau, c.
- 1995 — Rene Chapdelaine, d.
- 1996 — Ron Hoover, c.
- 1997 — Butch Kaebel, w.
- 1998 — Jean-Guy Trudel, w.
- 1999 — Joe Rybar, c.
- 2000 — Duane Derksen, g.
- 2001 — Blaine Fitzpatrick, w.
- 2002 — Phil Osaer, g.
- 2003 — Duane Derksen, g and Randy Rowe, w.
- 2004 — Marty Johnson, c.
- 2005 — Randy Rowe, w.
- 2006 — Charles Linglet, w.
- 2007 — Charles Linglet, w.
- 2008 — Aaron MacKenzie, d.
- 2009 — Trent Whitfield, c.
- 2010 — Chris Porter, w.
- 2011 — David Spina, w.
- 2012 — Kyle Hagel, w.
- 2013 — Mike McKenna, g.
- 2014 — Cole Ruwe, d.
- 2015 — Cole Ruwe, d.
- 2016 — Mark Corbett, d.
- 2017 — Ben Oskroba, d.
- 2018 — Alec Hagaman, w.
- 2019 — Ben Oskroba, d, and Mike Gurtler, w.
- 2020 — Robin Hoglund, w, and Drake Hunter, w.
- 2021 — no season/pandemic.
- 2022 — Alec Hagaman, w.
- 2023 — Nick Neville, d.
- 2024 — Joe Drapluk, c.
- 2025 — Alec Baer, c.
Rivermen hockey Bruce Saurs Leadership Award
In memorial to late longtime Rivermen owner Bruce Saurs, the annual honor is given to the player who shows commitment to the game and leadership on and off the ice, and contributing to efforts to grow hockey in central Illinois.
- 2015 — Cole Ruwe, d.
- 2016 — Ben Oskroba, d.
- 2017 — Dan Bremner, lw, and Ben Oskroba, d.
- 2018 — Mike Economos, w, and Will Smith, c.
- 2019 — Ben Oskroba, d.
- 2020 — Eric Levine, g.
- 2021 — no season/pandemic.
- 2022 — Eric Levine, g.
- 2023 — Ben Assad, c.
- 2024 — Jordan Ernst, w-d.
- 2025 — Zach Wilkie, d.
Source: Dave Eminian, Journal Star archives, Peoria Rivermen archives.
Dave Eminian is the Journal Star sports columnist, and covers Bradley men’s basketball, the Rivermen and Chiefs. He writes the Cleve In The Eve sports column for pjstar.com. He can be reached at 686-3206 or [email protected]. Follow him on X.com @icetimecleve.
This article originally appeared on Journal Star: Peoria Rivermen annual awards banquet held by team booster club
PEORIA — The defending SPHL champion Peoria Rivermen will start chasing the President’s Cup next week.
But on Tuesday they joined the Rivermen Captain’s Booster Club for their annual spring banquet in which they celebrated a great season with food, fellowship and three timeless trophies that represent the heart of the 43-year pro hockey franchise.
The dinner, desserts and drinks at Raber Packing (3000 W. Farmington Rd, West Peoria) were followed by the team’s awards ceremony.
Rivermen captain Alec Baer was named to the Mark Olson Trophy, which represents dedication to the sport and the community.
Veteran winger Jordan Ernst was named to the Pete BardezBanian Award, which is awarded by the booster club to its most popular player.
And the Bruce Saurs Leadership Award — chosen by coach Jean-Guy Trudel — went to Zach Wilkie, the SPHL’s top defenseman.
The late Saurs was the longtime owner of the Rivermen, and saved the franchise when he bought it nearly 40 years ago. Olson and the late BardezBanian were pioneers and advocates for the game’s origins in central Illinois.
All three hold a place of honor in the Rivermen Hall of Fame.
“It’s a great opportunity to have this night with our booster club, with our team owner (Bart Rogers), with our players, all together,” Trudel said. “We’re celebrating another great season together. It seems like the support, the fanbase, continues to grow in the community, what a fanbase we have.”
Counting on the crowds
Indeed, Rivermen attendance during its title defense season is averaging 4,323 per game, fourth-highest in the 10-team league, with a season-ending game coming on Saturday.
That attendance is Peoria’s highest of its SPHL era, which began in 2013-14. It has increased three straight years and has grown 58% from the 2021-22 season.
“We appreciate such great support, because this has been the toughest season I’ve ever had,” said Trudel, who has burned through a 43-year franchise single-season record 60 players while trying to plug roster holes from injuries and call-ups. “Some really unfortunate things have happened to this hockey team. But I feel so lucky to have these guys.
“We have an entirely different defense group and maybe three or four forwards left from opening night, but no matter who joins us they seem to buy in carry on and win games. These guys have been terrific.”
The end of the stretch run
The Rivermen head into the final weekend of the season with a game at Quad City on Friday, then a rematch on Saturday in Carver Arena.
The SPHL deadline to submit final 20-man rosters follows at 2 p.m. central time on Sunday.
Peoria has two key players on injured reserve — forward Mike McChesney and Wilkie.
But under new SPHL roster rules, they will not count on the final 20-man roster. They can remain on injured reserve and be added during postseason if they are cleared to play, and in turn Peoria would have to remove two players to make room.
The same goes for any players Peoria has on call-up to the ECHL. Those players can come down and join the Rivermen playoff run at any time, but each man added requires someone on the current roster to be removed.
“We can’t wait to get started in the playoffs,” Trudel said. “It’s a community event for us. We play hockey because we love it. But you have to have someone to share it with.
“That’s what makes it special.”
River Readings
Rivermen winger Mike Gelatt received a one-game suspension from the SPHL for his major boarding penalty in Sunday’s game at Evansville. He’ll miss Friday’s game at Quad City. … The Rivermen signed forward Zachary Purcell on Tuesday. The 5-foot-9, 165-pounder played the last two seasons at NCAA Div.-III SUNY-Geneseo. He had 17 goals and 12 assists in 29 games this season, and will make his pro debut with Peoria. … The Rivermen also will sign NCAA Div.-III Utica University defenseman Brian Scoville, as soon as on Wednesday. He played one season at NCAA Div-I Alabama-Huntsville, then spent the last four games at D-III Utica University, which was Utica College before its formal name change in 2022. Scoville had 18 goals and 72 assists there in 119 games. He’ll make his pro debut with the Rivermen, who are searching for a defenseman with power play assets. In his ’23-24 season, he was a first-team All-American, UCHC Defensive Player of the Year and UCHC Player of the Year. The 6-3, 216-pounder played two seasons of junior hockey with the Langley Rivermen, who at one time were believed to be in trademark infringement of the Rivermen logo and name.
Rivermen hockey Pete BardezBanian Award
Named for Rivermen Hall of Fame, builders inductee, Pete BardezBanian, and awarded annually during the franchise’s IHL, ECHL, AHL and SPHL eras by the Captains’ Booster Club to the team’s Most Popular Player.
- 1983 — Brad Kempthorne, c.
- 1984 — Jerry August, d.
- 1985 — Bob “The Hammer” Fleming, w.
- 1986 — Bob “The Hammer” Fleming, w.
- 1987 — John Vecchiarelli, c.
- 1988 — Grant Rezansoff, c.
- 1989 — Darrell May, g.
- 1990 — Richard Pion, w.
- 1991 — Richard Pion, w.
- 1992 — Richard Pion, w.
- 1993 — Richard Pion, w.
- 1994 — Geoff Sarjeant, g.
- 1995 — Parris Duffus, g.
- 1996 — Ron Hoover, c.
- 1997 — Dustin McArthur, w.
- 1998 — Jean-Guy Trudel, w and Marcel Kuris, g.
- 1999 — Joe Rybar, c.
- 2000 — Luke Gruden, d.
- 2001 — Tyler Willis, c.
- 2002 — Ryan Finnerty, c.
- 2003 — Duane Derksen, g.
- 2004 — Ken Goetz, w.
- 2005 — Alfie Michaud, g.
- 2006 — Colin Hemingway, w.
- 2007 — Cam Keith, w.
- 2008 — Jean-Guy Trudel, w.
- 2009 — Eric Neilson, w.
- 2010 — Derek Armstrong, c.
- 2011 — Jake Allen, g.
- 2012 — Kyle Hagel, w.
- 2013 — Mike McKenna, g.
- 2014 — Taylor Larsen, w.
- 2015 — Matt Summers, w.
- 2016 — Matt Summer, w.
- 2017 — Ben Oskroba, d.
- 2018 — Mike Economos, w.
- 2019 — Austin Vieth, w.
- 2020 — Skyler Smutek, d.
- 2021 — no season/pandemic.
- 2022 — Zach Wilkie, d.
- 2023 — Zach Wilkie, d.
- 2024 — Tristan Trudel, w.
- 2025 — Jordan Ernst, w-d.
Rivermen hockey Mark Olson Trophy
Named for Rivermen Hall of Fame, builders inductee, Mark Olson, and awarded annually during the franchise’s IHL, ECHL, AHL and SPHL eras by the Captains’ Booster Club to the player who demonstrates devotion to the team, the sport and the community.
- 1986 — Bob “The Hammer” Fleming, w.
- 1987 — Mike Posavad, d.
- 1988 — Dave Thomlinson, w.
- 1989 — Darrell May, g.
- 1990 — Richard Pion, w.
- 1991 — Dave Thomlinson, w.
- 1992 — Richard Pion, w.
- 1993 — Ron Hoover, c.
- 1994 — Michel Mongeau, c.
- 1995 — Rene Chapdelaine, d.
- 1996 — Ron Hoover, c.
- 1997 — Butch Kaebel, w.
- 1998 — Jean-Guy Trudel, w.
- 1999 — Joe Rybar, c.
- 2000 — Duane Derksen, g.
- 2001 — Blaine Fitzpatrick, w.
- 2002 — Phil Osaer, g.
- 2003 — Duane Derksen, g and Randy Rowe, w.
- 2004 — Marty Johnson, c.
- 2005 — Randy Rowe, w.
- 2006 — Charles Linglet, w.
- 2007 — Charles Linglet, w.
- 2008 — Aaron MacKenzie, d.
- 2009 — Trent Whitfield, c.
- 2010 — Chris Porter, w.
- 2011 — David Spina, w.
- 2012 — Kyle Hagel, w.
- 2013 — Mike McKenna, g.
- 2014 — Cole Ruwe, d.
- 2015 — Cole Ruwe, d.
- 2016 — Mark Corbett, d.
- 2017 — Ben Oskroba, d.
- 2018 — Alec Hagaman, w.
- 2019 — Ben Oskroba, d, and Mike Gurtler, w.
- 2020 — Robin Hoglund, w, and Drake Hunter, w.
- 2021 — no season/pandemic.
- 2022 — Alec Hagaman, w.
- 2023 — Nick Neville, d.
- 2024 — Joe Drapluk, c.
- 2025 — Alec Baer, c.
Rivermen hockey Bruce Saurs Leadership Award
In memorial to late longtime Rivermen owner Bruce Saurs, the annual honor is given to the player who shows commitment to the game and leadership on and off the ice, and contributing to efforts to grow hockey in central Illinois.
- 2015 — Cole Ruwe, d.
- 2016 — Ben Oskroba, d.
- 2017 — Dan Bremner, lw, and Ben Oskroba, d.
- 2018 — Mike Economos, w, and Will Smith, c.
- 2019 — Ben Oskroba, d.
- 2020 — Eric Levine, g.
- 2021 — no season/pandemic.
- 2022 — Eric Levine, g.
- 2023 — Ben Assad, c.
- 2024 — Jordan Ernst, w-d.
- 2025 — Zach Wilkie, d.
Source: Dave Eminian, Journal Star archives, Peoria Rivermen archives.
Dave Eminian is the Journal Star sports columnist, and covers Bradley men’s basketball, the Rivermen and Chiefs. He writes the Cleve In The Eve sports column for pjstar.com. He can be reached at 686-3206 or [email protected]. Follow him on X.com @icetimecleve.
This article originally appeared on Journal Star: Peoria Rivermen annual awards banquet held by team booster club
