REGULAR SEASON ELITE MVP:  Greg Olson, Dinkytown Dukes

The Dukes’ center fullback Olson was a dominating force again this year and was a huge factor in the Dukes winning another regular season title and a place in the Championship Final. He could not play in the World Championships in Sweden this year, but provided invaluable assistance to Team USA in preparing for the tournament in practices and exhibition games. 

ELITE PLAYOFF MVP:  Kirby Horgan, Tonka Bay Bombers

Bomber fullback Horgan was stellar in all five of the Bomber’s playoff games and was a big reason the Bombers were able to stop the Mojo and Dukes high powered offense.

ELITE SCORING CHAMPION – Jon Keseley , Dinkytown Dukes

Jon Keseley, Dukes  – 37 goals

Mikael Lickteig, Tonka Bay Bombers - 27 goals

Lucas Whalen, Dukes   17 goals

Keseley won his amazing ninth straight USA Elite scoring title with 37 goals. The Bombers Mikael Licktieg had a great season and made a strong challenge, but fell short with 27 goals.

ELITE GOALTENDER OF THE YEAR – Eric Kraska, Dinkytown Dukes

After an all-world performance last year that included the epic win over Team Norway, Kraska returned to play another stellar season and led the Dukes to the regular season title this year. He recently announced his retirement from outdoor bandy, and if it holds, it is safe to say we have been fortunate to have witnessed the best USA keeper of all time perform for over the last decade. Congrats Kras on your fantastic bandy career (and your recent wedding)!

ELITE MANAGER OF THE YEAR – Chris Halden, Tonka Bay Bombers

As legend would have it, the Bomber squad you see today was one phone call away from folding. But Halden decided to press on, and completely rebuilt the team in four years with the addition of several new players who fell in love with the sport and quickly improved. These new young guns included Rossman, Licktieg, Dwyer, Greiner, Gaarder, the Williams brothers and Murray who were successfully blended with a few older veterans to form a team that was finally good enough to go all the way and win the 2019 Gunnar Cup.  

ROOKIE OF THE YEAR -  Jordy Murray, Tonka Bay Bombers

The former Wisconsin Badger Murray made an immediate impact with the Bombers, scoring in his first game. His clutch hat trick vs the Dukes in Game #2 of the Elite Finals was the lift the Bombers a needed to get back into the series and eventually win the Gunnar Cup.  It cemented a great first season in the USA Bandy League and the Rookie of the Year award.

REFEREE OF THE YEAR – Kevin Bowen

The amazing KB did it all again. Head of Referees, traveling to both Sweden and Russia for FIB referee duty at two major tournaments, and refereeing the vast majority of the USA Bandy league games. Thank you for your service Kevin!

DIVISION 1 PLAYOFF MVP- Chris Halden, EIBC

Halden scored a high pressure penalty shot goal in the OT shootout with Tsunami Ice in the semi-finals, and then did it again with the season on the line against the Saints in the D-1 Championship Final when he calmly stepped up and buried his OT penalty shot to give EIBC the D-1 Championship. For his clutch shooting, Haldo earned the Playoff MVP Award.

DIVISION ONE SCORING CHAMPION – Kyle Smythe, Saints

Kyle Smyth, Saints 18 goals

And Schupp, Tsunami Ice 13 goals

Amy Stech, USAW -12 goals

The Saints’ Smyth had a banner year, outscoring defending champion Andy “Bandy Andy” Schupp of Tsunami Ice who had won four straight D-1 scoring titles. Congrats Kyle on your first Golden Stick Award!