PEORIA — The defending SPHL champion Peoria Rivermen will start chasing the President's Cup next week.
But on Tuesday they joined the Rivermen Captain's Booster Club for their annual spring banquet in which they celebrated a great season with food, fellowship and three timeless trophies that represent the heart of the 43-year pro hockey franchise.
The dinner, desserts and drinks at Raber Packing (3000 W. Farmington Rd, West Peoria) were followed by the team's awards ceremony.
Rivermen captain Alec Baer was named to the Mark Olson Trophy, which represents dedication to the sport and the community.
Veteran winger Jordan Ernst was named to the Pete BardezBanian Award, which is awarded by the booster club to its most popular player.
And the Bruce Saurs Leadership Award — chosen by coach Jean-Guy Trudel — went to Zach Wilkie, the SPHL's top defenseman.
The late Saurs was the longtime owner of the Rivermen, and saved the franchise when he bought it nearly 40 years ago. Olson and the late BardezBanian were pioneers and advocates for the game's origins in central Illinois.
All three hold a place of honor in the Rivermen Hall of Fame.
"It's a great opportunity to have this night with our booster club, with our team owner (Bart Rogers), with our players, all together," Trudel said. "We're celebrating another great season together. It seems like the support, the fanbase, continues to grow in the community, what a fanbase we have."
Counting on the crowds
Indeed, Rivermen attendance during its title defense season is averaging 4,323 per game, fourth-highest in the 10-team league, with a season-ending game coming on Saturday.
That attendance is Peoria's highest of its SPHL era, which began in 2013-14. It has increased three straight years and has grown 58% from the 2021-22 season.
"We appreciate such great support, because this has been the toughest season I've ever had," said Trudel, who has burned through a 43-year franchise single-season record 60 players while trying to plug roster holes from injuries and call-ups. "Some really unfortunate things have happened to this hockey team. But I feel so lucky to have these guys.
"We have an entirely different defense group and maybe three or four forwards left from opening night, but no matter who joins us they seem to buy in carry on and win games. These guys have been ...
