John Stiefelmeyer of the Western Ontario Mustangs was named the Moser recipient. The 6-6 senior forward from Niagara Falls, averaged 18.9 ppg and 8 rpg, while leading the Mustangs to a 14-2 regular season title. The award shocked many as Stiefelmeyer wasn’t selected the OUA’s player of the year. “He had a worse year this season than last,” said one coach. “I was surprised,” said Guelph’s Tim Darling. Stiefelmeyer earned All-Canadian status for the third time.
U.B.C.’s Bruce Enns won his second Aberdeen award. The move shocked Canada West coaches, as Enns wasn’t selected the league’s coach of the year. In his fifth year at the Thunderbirds helm, the former University of Winnipeg coach led U.B.C. to second place in Canada West play with a 15-5 record
Manitoba guard Eric Bridgeland was awarded the Mullins as national rookie of the year. The 6.3 guard averaged 15.9 ppg in GPAC play. “Eric has made an immediate impact on our program,” said Bisons coach Rick Suffield. “His work ethic is contagious.” Averaging 32-34 minutes of playing time per game, Bridgeland was a unanimous choice as GPAC rookie of the year and was also selected as a GPAC second-team all-star.
Joining Stiefelmeyer as 1st team All-Canadians were: Sean Chursinoff (Alberta); J.D. Jackson (U.B.C.); Tim Mau (Guelph); and Joey Vickery (Brandon). …………………………………………………… Alberta coach Don Horwood was outraged that Chursinoff wasn’t named the Moser recipient. “Chursinoff got cheated. He is the best player in the country and he wasn’t voted the best player in the country. Not enough people saw Chursinoff play, that’s obvious. Other coaches have already been telling me.” With no television coverage, Chursinoff wasn’t seen by coaches across the country, particularly the 18 of 35 coaches from the OUA. Saskatchewan coach Steve Roth was equally surprised. “You have to get here as an All-Canadian first, it seems.” Chursinoff dismissed the controversy. “I’m just happy to be a candidate. Being an All-Canadian is something I’ll tell my kids about.” Chursinoff averaged 24.2 ppg and 3.3 apg, while leading Canada West in assists with 115. …………………………………………………… Jackson was selected a first-team all-Canadian for the second consecutive season. Jackson, who set a Canada West single-game scoring record with 51 points on Dec. 2 against Saskatchewan, led UBC in scoring with 724 points in 33 games for a game average of 21.9 and was third on the team in rebounding with 183. He was selected unanimously by the Canada West coaches to the 1989-90 conference all-star team. …………………………………………………… Vickery topped the GPAC in scoring with 21.5 ppg while leading the Bobcats to their four-consecutive title. The 5-10 guard also set a league record for treys. “I can’t really say it (all-Canadian) was a goal, but is something that I hoped would happen,” said Vickery, who was a second-team selection in 1987, while toiling for Winnipeg. “Those things just take care of themselves. If you get noticed, more power to you. I don’t really worry about it that much,” added the Winnipeg Westwood graduate. “People never believed in me, just a select few,” Vickery said. “I certainly believed in myself. These
awards can show that small people can play the game too.”
The 2nd team selections were: Brian Masikewich (Calgary); Spencer McKay (Victoria); Eric Hammond (Guelph); Wade Smith (St. FX); and Peter Gordon (U.P.E.I.). …………………………………………………… Masikewich, a graduate of Edmonton St. Joseph’s High. ……………………………………………………