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Princeton University Athletics
Bonar '14 Named SPHL Most Valuable Player of 2016-17
April 21, 2017 | Men's Ice Hockey
HUNTERSVILLE, N.C. (4/21/17) - Former Princeton goaltender Sean Bonar '14 was named the Southern Professional Hockey League (SPHL) Most Valuable Player it was announced by the league on Thursday. The announcement comes just two days after he was announced as the SPHL Goaltender of the Year.
The SPHL Most Valuable Player award is presented annually to the player selected to be the most valuable to his team as determined in a vote of league coaches, general managers and media representatives.
Bonar is just the third goaltender to receive the league's MVP honor. He is the first FireAntz goalie to be named Goalie of the Year in the SPHL since the inaugural season in 2004-05.
This season he set league records in wins with 32 and minutes played with 2956:17. He led the league in save percentage with a .927 with 1,296 saves and four shutouts. He had five shootout wins and was second in the league in goals against average with a 2.07. In addition, Bonar is now the SPHL record holder in lowest career goals against average at 2.03.
"First and foremost, Sean Bonar is an animal," FireAntz coach Jeff Bes said. "To play all those minutes, put up all those wins, to come to practice every day and practice as hard as he does, he's a true inspiration and one of the leaders of our hockey club. Sean set himself up to move up levels. He put himself in a fantastic position wherever he wants to go. He definitely deserves to be there."
Since graduating Princeton in 2014 with a degree in mechanical & aerospace engineering, the four-time ECAC All-Academic has spent time in both the ECHL and the SPHL.
"Helping your team and being a part of a good team, all those things sometimes get you recognition for doing what you can individually," Bonar said. "It's pretty great. I'm definitely happy with that."