The proud parents of Aaron Kakepetum (Geordi and Lynda) shared the following news story with me. I want to congratulate Aaron on all the work he does to achieve this level of excellence and thank him for being such a strong ambassador for all Nishnawbe Aski Nation youth. It is through individual efforts demonstrated by NAN youth like Aaron that the First Nations are being recognized and honoured.
The following article can be found on-line at
in the Bozeman Chronicle.
Icedogs' Kakepetum named Defenseman of the Year
03/22/02
By Chronicle Staff
Bozeman Icedogs' Aaron Kakepetum earned Defenseman of the Year and All-America West Hockey League first-team honors for the 2001-2002 season Thursday, as selected by league coaches.
Kakepetum is a Balmertown, Ontario, native who has dual citizenship in Canada and America. He currently leads all AWHL defensemen in scoring with 10 goals an 26 assists.
"All areas of his game are constantly improving, and now he's more of an offensive threat," Icedogs coach John LaFontaine said in a press release.
Icedogs center Troy Brummett also earned co-Rookie of the Year honors, and Bozeman goalie Joe Tuset was named to the all-AWHL second-team.
Brummett is a Oregon, Ohio, native and currently leads the Icedogs in scoring and is tied as the tenth top scorer in the AWHL with 32 goals and 25 assists.
Tuset, a native of Eagan, Minn., has started most of the year for Bozeman and led the league as the top-ranked goaltender for most of the season. Tuset, who signed with Northern Michigan earlier this season, is currently ranked second with a 2.48 goals against average, 893 saves and a .910 save percentage.
Fernie, British Columbia, Ghostriders forward Conner Hughes was named the league’s Most Valuable Player and to the All-AWHL first team. He is third in league scoring with 40 goals and 72 points in 44 games.
Other multiple award winners, besides Kakepetum and Hughes, are Helena Bighorns goaltender Mike Dowers (Goaltender of the Year/All-AWHL First Team) and first-year Billings Bulls defenseman Brooks Turnquist (co-Rookie of the Year/All-AWHL Second Team).
Here are the 2001-02 AWHL award winners:
Individual awards
Most Valuable Player: Conner Hughes, Fernie, B.C.
Goaltender of the Year: Mike Dowers, Helena
Defenseman of the Year: Aaron Kakepetum, Bozeman
Organization of the Year: Fairbanks, Alaska, Ice Dogs
co-Coach of the Year: Brian Meisner, Butte/Rob Proffitt, Fairbanks
co-Rookie of the Year: Troy Brummett, Bozeman/Brooks Turnquist, Billings
All-AWHL first team
Goalie - Mike Dowers, Helena
Defense - Robbie Bina, Bismarck
Defense - Aaron Kakepetum, Bozeman
Forward - Lou Garritan, Billings
Forward - Conner Hughes, Fernie, B.C.
Forward - John Sullivan, Billings
All-AWHL Second Team
Goalie - Joe Tuset, Bozeman
Defense - Jake Postnikoff, Fernie, B.C.
Defense - Brooks Turnquist, Billings
Forward - Justin Hauge, Fairbanks, Alaska
Forward - Brett Roat, Butte
Forward - Jeremy Robinson, Fernie. B.C