CALGARY – In a season of incredible success by the University of Calgary Dinos, two student-athletes stood above all the rest.

Goaltender Kelsey Roberts from women's hockey and forward Brett Layton from men's basketball are the 2019-20 Dr. Dennis Kadatz UCalgary Athletes of the Year.

The duo was honoured as part of the ongoing digital celebrations for the 53rd Annual Night of the Dino.

Dr. Kadatz, the first football coach and athletic director at UCalgary, was a pioneer and laid the foundation for the success the Dinos have enjoyed over more than half a century of competition. He passed away at age 80 in June 2019, with Roberts and Layton the first student-athletes to receive his namesake athlete of the year awards since his death.

Layton and Roberts now move forward as the Dinos' nominees for the Lieutenant Governor Athletic Awards, which honour the U SPORTS male and female athletes of the year.

2019-20 DR. DENNIS KADATZ ATHLETES OF THE YEAR

KELSEY ROBERTS | Hockey | 4th Year | Goaltender | Faculty of Arts | Kitimat, B.C.
Roberts backstopped an incredible turnaround season for the Dinos women's hockey team. Playing more than 1,500 minutes on the year, she recorded an incredible 1.33 goals-against average and a .948 save percentage, leading Canada West with 16 wins and adding four shutouts as the Dinos improved by 13 wins and earned the second seed into the playoffs. Roberts became the first Dinos goalie to earn conference player-of-the-year honours, adding first team All-Canadian status to her resume as well.

She beat out a list of outstanding female nominees, including Danica Ludlow (swimming), Kasselle Menin (rugby), Amy Mikuska (soccer), and Osereme Omosun (track and field). She joins a pair of superstars as the third women's hockey player in history to be named UCalgary's top female athlete after Iya Gavrilova (2014-15) and Hayley Wickenheiser (2011-12).

"The University of Calgary has an abundance of elite-level athletes who take great pride in their sports, and I'm honoured that I was chosen among these female athletes for this award," said Roberts. "I would like to thank my teammates and my coaches for an amazing season, this would not have been possible without them."

BRETT LAYTON | Basketball | 4th Year | Forward | Faculty of Law | Calgary, Alta.
Layton had a season for the ages in 2019-20, setting multiple Canada West records and leading the nation with 299 rebounds. His year was highlighted by the first 40-point, 20-rebound game in conference history, along with a 27-rebound contest to end the year, and he became the first Dino since Richard Bohne in 1996 to be named the national player of the year in men's basketball – all while pursuing his education in law school.

Layton was up against Matt Alfaro (hockey), Eric Lutz (track and field), Jake Ruschkowski (soccer), and Adam Sinagra (football) for the award. He adds his name to a long list of basketball stars to earn the honour, including the Dinos' two previous national MVPs on the hardcourt: Richard Bohne (1994-95, 1995-96) and Karl Tilleman (1980-81, 1982-83).

"I'm really surprised and honoured to win because of the other athletes that were nominated, and I think each one of them is deserving of it," said Layton. "I'd like to congratulate them on their successful seasons.

"An award like this is a reflection of my coaches and teammates more than anything. Everyone put a lot into this season that helped us be successful as a team and made me look a lot better than I am. I love being around our coaches and my teammates, and I'm grateful to be a part of the program."

-UC-