Deniset in fine form
Bison star earns prestigious nomination
Vuthana Suon Staff
In the four years that he has played for the Bison men’s hockey team, Paul Deniset has garnered a laundry list of awards and accolades, including team MVP, top-eight Academic All-Canadian and Canada West MVP. Most recently, he was honoured with a nomination for the Manitoba Male Athlete of the Year.
The physical education student was one of a handful of athletes nominated for the prestigious award, which recognizes the impact Deniset has had on the Bison team.
“It’s a huge honour for me. A lot of the past winners were really big names, and to be in their company is just tremendous,” said Deniset.
Exemplifying the notion of a student-athlete, Deniset is extremely proud to be named one of the top-eight Academic All-Canadians in Canadian Interuniversity Sport (CIS).
“I think it’s definitely one of my bigger awards,” said a humble Deniset. “It shows balance, and I take pride in everything I do, whether it’s hockey or it’s school.”
After spending four years in the Western Hockey League, most recently with the Prince Albert Raiders in 2001-02, Deniset decided to go back to school for an education, and to suit up for the Bisons. Four years, and many awards later, Deniset is poised to enter a new phase of his life, one that he hopes will involve playing professional hockey in Europe.
“I’ve got a few options that I’m looking at; nothing really concrete yet,” said Deniset. “I’d like to play in countries like Germany or Switzerland, but it’s all a little up in the air right now.”
Before even considering such possibilities, however, Deniset, co-captain of this year’s Bison squad, is looking forward to the Canada West playoffs. Last year’s Bison team went all the way to the CIS University Cup – marking the team’s first appearance in the elusive national championship tournament since they won it all in 1964-65 – before falling to the eventual champions, Alberta.
Although he was sidelined with injuries for much of the first half of the season, Deniset has returned to form over the last few weeks and hopes to contribute even more to help the Bisons achieve playoff success. This contribution is in the form of both his excellent two-way play and the leadership and experience that comes with being a fourth-year player.
Bison head coach Mike Sirant had no shortage of compliments for the star player when asked what Deniset brings to the team both on and off the ice.
“Paul is a very determined and dedicated athlete who fought through injuries earlier in the season and has been outstanding for us so far . . . he’s our offensive catalyst,” said Sirant. “We’re just so proud that he was nominated for the Manitoba male athlete of the year.”
With a player of Deniset’s calibre on the team, Sirant is able to show prospective recruits that excellence can be achieved by playing for the U of M. Rather than going the minor pro hockey route, the recruits can come back to school and see how much they can achieve by playing university hockey. They can continue their hockey development and come out with a degree in the process.
Sirant is deeply aware of the impact that Deniset’s graduation will have on the team.
“It’s going to be a huge hole in our lineup to fill for next year,” said Sirant. “We don’t see really see one person stepping up and filling that hole, and it’s going to have to be shared by a few players.”
“We’ll miss his leadership in our hockey program.”
