After another season that saw the Kenai River Brown Bears nearly break through with a playoff series win, the North American Hockey League postseason awards have begun to be handed out, a few of them bearing the names of Kenai River players.
Bears forward Alec Butcher was named to the 2013-14 All-NAHL Team, becoming the first Brown Bears player in franchise history to receive that honor. Butcher led the league in scoring with 66 points (24 goals, 42 assists), and is committed to playing at Division I Sacred Heart University next year.
Butcher was also named to the Midwest All-Division team, the first time he has accrued that honor and represents the sixth player in franchise history to be named to the postseason All-Division team. The Bears have had a player on the All-Division team each year since 2008-09.
Also garnering attention was forward Nathan Colwell, who was selected in the United States Hockey League draft by the Dubuque (Iowa) Fighting Saints in the fifth round (84th overall). Dubuque is also the home of former Bears head coach Oliver David, who is now an assistant coach with the Fighting Saints.
Colwell finished the 2013-14 season — his first in the NAHL — with 21 points (9 goals, 12 assists).
The remainder of the end-of-season awards will be announced later this week.
