CALGARY – For the first time since 1997, the University of Calgary Dinos have placed three players on the Canada West men's hockey all-star team.

Goaltender Dustin Butler, defenceman Cory Pritz, and forward Reid Jorgensen all landed on the conference's first all-star team as Canada West announced its 2010-11 awards and all-stars Thursday morning.

Second-year Dinos bench boss Mark Howell was named the Canada West coach of the year, while the goaltending tandem of Butler and Kris Lazaruk brought home the Adam Kryczka Memorial Trophy, signifying the team with the best goals-against average in the conference.

All six of the conference's first team all-stars will compete in this weekend's Canada West championship series when the Dinos head north to face the Alberta Golden Bears. Both teams have already earned berths in the CIS University Cup March 24-27 in Fredericton, Alta.

The three all-stars marks Calgary's most significant haul since four players landed on the first all-star team in 1997. Jorgensen, who made the first team in 2011 after earning a spot on the second team in 2010, finished tied for the Canada West lead with 17 goals on the season while Pritz led all Canada West defencemen in scoring with his five-goal, 13-assist season.

Third-year netminder Butler had a career year, leading the conference in both goals-against average (2.12) and save percentage (.926).

Leading them all was Howell, who was named the Canada West Coach of the Year after leading his team to its best finish in 15 seasons.

After the Dinos missed the playoffs in 2009, Howell took over and has reeled off back-to-back post-season appearances, a second-place finish this season, and home ice advantage. Calgary defeated Saskatchewan in the semi-final last weekend to advance to the Canada West Final for the first time since 1996 and earn the program's first University Cup appearance since 2000.

Including this season's 17-8-3 finish, Howell has racked up a 30-17-9 record in his first two seasons and will lead the Dinos against the University of Alberta Golden Bears – the team he played for in the early 1990s – in this weekend's conference championship series.

“In just two short years, Mark has re-established the University of Calgary as one of the premier hockey programs in Western Canada,” said Wayne Giles, dean of kinesiology at the University of Calgary. “His dedication and tireless work have led to success and a trip to the University Cup, and we congratulate him on this well-deserved honour.”

2010-11 CANADA WEST MEN'S HOCKEY AWARDS & ALL-STARS

Most Valuable Player: Derek Ryan, Alberta
Dave 'Sweeny' Shriner Trophy (scoring champion): Derek Ryan, Alberta
Mervyn 'Red' Dutton Trophy (outstanding defenceman): Kyle Fecho, Alberta
University of Alberta Hockey Alumni Trophy (outstanding freshman): Jeremy Schappert, Manitoba
UBC Hockey Alumni Trophy (sportsmanship & ability): Sean Ringrose, Alberta
Randy Gregg Award (athletics, academics, and citizenship): Eric Hunter, Alberta
Coach of the Year: Mark Howell, Calgary
Adam Kryczka Memorial Trophy (best team GAA): Dustin Butler and Kris Lazaruk, Calgary
Fair Play Trophy (fewest team penalty minutes): Alberta Golden Bears

First Team
G Dustin Butler, Calgary
D Kyle Fecho, Alberta
D Cory Pritz, Calgary
F Chad Klassen, Alberta
F Derek Ryan, Alberta
F Reid Jorgensen, Calgary

Second Team
G Steve Christie, Manitoba
D Dane Crowley, Manitoba
D Jeremy Schappert, Manitoba
F Blair Macaulay, Manitoba
F Kyle Ross, Saskatchewan
F Andrew Bailey, Saskatchewan

-UC-