The Innovex Estevan Bears have announced the final team award recipients for the 2025-26 season, highlighted by a shared honour for the most valuable player in the playoffs.
PLAYOFF MVP – Boston Schmidt
Boston Schmidt was the consistent engine for the Bears offensively in the 2026 playoffs. Schmidt co-led the team in scoring with 13 points in 8 games, alongside captain Gunner Moore (2G, 11A). However, Schmidt not only led the team with 9 goals, but Schmidt scored a goal in each and every game the Bears played. Though the Bears did not make the league final, Schmidt still finished tied for 2nd in playoff goals and just one goal behind Regina’s Malaki Martin. Schmidt, and Moore, both finished tied for 5th in points in the 2026 SMAAAHL playoffs.
PLAYOFF MVP – Evan Hutcheon
Evan Hutcheon carried over his stellar goaltending from the regular season into the playoffs, guiding the Bears to their first ever playoff series victory in the 5-game quarterfinal over Swift Current. After a slow start to the series, Hutcheon came up huge when it counted most facing elimination. Hutcheon surrendered only two goals in each of Game 4 and Game 5 on a combined 77 shots, lifting the Bears past Swift Current in back-to-back wins and into the semi-final round. Hutcheon did not play in Game 1 of the semi’s against the Regina Pat Canadians, but got the start in both Game 2 and Game 3 before the Bears were swept by the eventual league champions.
Scholarship Award – Rhys Petersmeyer
Rounding out the team awards was the announcement of graduating forward Rhys Petersmeyer (Regina, SK) receiving the Innovex Estevan Bears Scholarship Award. This award, sponsored by the Lee Family, is given annually to one member of the Bears.
