Kiley Fender is the Winnipeg High School Hockey League's Defenseman of the Year.

"It was a pretty cool experience," said the Steinbach Regional Secondary School blueliner. "Going to the ceremony and going on stage and finding out I won the award - it was pretty cool."

Fender recorded three goals and 19 assists in 21 regular season games with the Sabres and was thrilled to receive the Bruce Diduck Family Top Defenseman award.

"It's really special because it shows all the work that I put in throughout the year and it paid off in the end."

Fender adds he thoroughly enjoyed playing hockey for the SRSS in his grade 12 year after spending the previous two seasons with the City AAA Midget Hockey League's Eastman Selects.

"We had a lot of fun," said Fender. "You get some chemistry and bonding together. We went down to Chicago this year. It was just a fun experience being with the guys. I didn't expect it to be that fast. I was actually pretty shocked how fast it was."

Sabres head coach Lawney Penner said Fender was a worthy recipient of the award.

"Kiley is a great skater who can defend against the top offensive players in the league. He sees the ice well and make a great first pass breaking out of our zone. On top of all his great skills he is a fierce competitor who expects the most out of himself."

SRSS captain Colton Unger received the Travis Price Award.

That award was given to one player from each team in the Winnipeg High School Hockey League and was voted on by that team.

The Travis Price Award went to the player who leads, motivates and encourages his teammates.