Photo: Twitter: @TheHersheyBears

The Hershey Bears announced their annual player awards for the 2022-23 season on Saturday night, just prior to their regular season finale against the Lehigh Valley Phantoms. Capitals prospects Ethen Frank, Dylan McIlrath, Riley Sutter, Gabriel Carlsson and Hunter Shepard were among those that received an award.

KENNY SMITH MEMORIAL PLAYER OF THE GAME AWARD – The award is given to the player with the most ‘stars of the game’ selections over the course of the season. For the 2022-23 season, Mike Sgarbossa took home top honors. Sgarbossa led all Bears with 58 points this season.

This season’s recipient of the Kenny Smith Memorial Player of the Game Award is Mike Sgarbossa! pic.twitter.com/mdXsXIwf5W

— X – Hershey Bears (@TheHersheyBears) April 15, 2023

AMERICAN SPECIALTY AHL MAN OF THE YEAR – The award is given to the Bears player for his outstanding contributions to the Hershey community during the season. The Bears named Mason Morelli as this year’s award winner.

This season’s Hershey Bears selection as the IOA / American Specialty AHL Man of the Year is Mason Morelli! pic.twitter.com/ojk7CrxLTM

— X – Hershey Bears (@TheHersheyBears) April 15, 2023

JACK GINGRICH AWARD FOR BEARS ROOKIE OF THE YEAR – For the 2022-23 season, the Bears selected Ethen Frank as their Rookie Of The Year. Frank scored 30 goals and recorded 19 assists for 49 points and was selected to the AHL All Rookie Team. He was also selected for the 2023 AHL All-Star Game and won the Fastest Skater competition at the event.

This season’s recipient of the Jack Gingrich Award for Bears rookie of the year is Ethen Frank! pic.twitter.com/L3mWEnKUK1

— X – Hershey Bears (@TheHersheyBears) April 15, 2023

MILTON GARLAND MEMORIAL AWARD FOR BEST DEFENSEMAN – For the 2022-23 season, the Bears selected Dylan McIlrath as their best defenseman. McIlrath had no goals but 13 assists and was the Captain of this year’s Bears team.

This season’s recipient of the Milton Garland Memorial Award for Best Defenseman is Dylan McIlrath! pic.twitter.com/uxNfoEj5Z9

— X – Hershey Bears (@TheHersheyBears) April 15, 2023

DAN SERNOFFSKY MEMORIAL AWARD FOR MOST IMPROVED PLAYER – For the 2022-23 season, the Bears selected Riley Sutter as their most improved player. After an injury-plagued start to his professional career, Sutter finally had a healthy season. In 69 games, he scored five goals and recorded seven assists for 12 points. But it was his defense, checking and work at the faceoff dot that showed noticeable improvement this season.

This season’s recipient of the Dan Sernoffsky Memorial Award for Most Improved Player is Riley Sutter! pic.twitter.com/FG5k0yP7Kv

— X – Hershey Bears (@TheHersheyBears) April 15, 2023

JOHN TAVARES/STEVE AUMMER AWARD – This award is given to the player with the best Plus/Minus for the season. For the 2022-23 season, Gabriel Carlsson led the team with a +22.

This season’s recipient of the John Travers/Steve Summers Award for the team lead in plus/minus is Gabriel Carlsson! pic.twitter.com/aWETdbKx3S

— X – Hershey Bears (@TheHersheyBears) April 15, 2023

ARLENE TIGHE AWARD FOR BEARS UNSUNG HERO – For the 2022-23 season, this season’s recipient, recognizing the Bears unsung hero, is Mason Morelli.

This season’s recipient of the Arlene Tighe Award, recognizing the Bears unsung hero, is Mason Morelli! pic.twitter.com/5KhgtykHUh

— X – Hershey Bears (@TheHersheyBears) April 15, 2023

PNC TEAM MVP AWARD – For the 2022-23 season, Hunter Shepard was named the Bears Most Valuable Player. Shepard amassed a record of 20-8-5, with a 2.08 GAA (second in the AHL) and a save percentage of .916 (7th in the AHL).

This season’s PNC Team MVP Award recipient is Hunter Shepard! pic.twitter.com/drD9qFiwh3

— X – Hershey Bears (@TheHersheyBears) April 15, 2023

TheBears ended up beating the Phantoms 6-4 Saturday night at the Giant Center in Hershey. The victory gives the Bears a 44-19-5-4 (97 points) record for the 2022-23 season. They now have a first round bye in the AHL postseason with the second round expected to start at the end of April.

By Diane Doyle