Cape Breton Screaming Eagles

Vincent was recognized as the top coach in the league with the Ron Lapointe Trophy, Slaney took home the Marcel Robert Trophy as the top scholastic player in the league, while Roy was handed the RDS Cup as rookie of the year.

Vincent, who has served as head coach for the past nine seasons, became the teamâ??s general manager as well seven seasons ago. This season, the Screaming Eagles surprised critics by finishing fourth in the Eastern Division standings with a 40-24-3-3 record in what was believed by many to be a rebuilding season for the rookie-laden team.

“In so many ways, it’s a compliment to the amazing season we’ve had,” said Vincent, who thanked his coaching staff for their efforts. “My name is on it, but it should be shared by everyone in the office that have been supporting me over the years and especially the players.”

As head coach, Vincent has a 312-272-35 regular season record. In the playoffs, he has a 35-42 mark which includes the teamâ??s opening-round 4-2 series victory over the Lewiston Maineiacs this season. He reached the league semifinal on two occasions, most recently a 2006-07 Game 7 loss to the Val-d’Or Foreurs.

Vincent added he has goals and aspirations for the future in terms of a professional coaching job and the award would be a nice addition to his resume, but he wasn’t thinking about that at the moment with his team currently in the middle of a playoff run.

Slaney, of Upper Island Cove, N.L., finished the regular season with 26 goals and 29 assists for 55 points in 64 games this season, good enough for fifth in team scoring. He is enrolled in the business administration program at Cape Breton University.

He was the fourth-straight member of the Screaming Eagles to be a finalist for the award. The only other Screaming Eagle to take home the trophy was Guillaume Demers in 2004-05.

As his team’s candidate for the award, Slaney received a $400 bursary and as one of the five finalists, he received an additional $400 grant. As winner, Slaney received a $500 grant and the Guy Lafleur student-athlete bursary worth $6,000.

“I owe a lot to (outgoing education co-ordinator) George Baillie and the organization with all their help and hard work,” said Slaney, who has early aspirations to become an engineer if hockey doesnâ??t work out. “Cape Breton takes great pride in the education system they have, so Iâ??m happy I can win it for them and prove to the rest of the league that we do have the best organization for school.”

Roy, meanwhile, finished the regular season with a 27-15-0 record, a 2.87 goals-against average and a .896 save percentage. His 27 wins is the most among any rookie goaltender in the league.

The native of Amqui, Que. set a pair of league rookie goaltending records in a 4-0 win over the P.E.I. Rocket at the Charlottetown Civic Centre, Feb. 22. He made 20 stops for the shutout, his fourth of the season, which set a new league rookie record.

Also, his 24th win in the game broke the previous record for a 16-year-old rookie goaltender of 23 set last season by Peter Delmas of the Maineiacs.

“The guys on the team helped me out all season long,” said Roy. “It doesnâ??t change anything for me. Itâ??s an honour, but I have to put it behind me and focus on my second playoff round.”

Roy is the second Screaming Eagles player to receive the honour. Fellow netminder Ondrej Pavelec took home the trophy in 2005-06. Monday, Roy was named to the league’s all-rookie team. Roy also took home the Raymond Lagace Trophy for top defensive rookie, March 21, an award also won by Pavelec in 2005-06.