Most Improved - Perpetual Trophy provided by the McDowell Family
This award is voted on by the coaches and presented to the player who over the season has demonstrated the work ethic and commitment required to succeed.
Andrew McDowell started his playing career with the Blackhawks in 1979, coming from the Ringwood Rangers organisation as a goalie, progressing through the juniors to be the A grade goalie in the 1984 Premier team where he wore the famous number 35 jersey.
After a break and with his sons showing enough interest and joined the club as juniors. Andrew put the skates on again and as well as the occasional turn between the pipes he played a little of “out” hockey with the summer league Chiefs and then in the first incarnation of the IHV Senior “C” league, playing in their premiership team in 2006. Andrew became a team manger, committee man and eventually President of the club, through one of its most successful times. He progressed to be the IHV President and has overseen many great initiatives. Andrew was also team manager of the 2006 A grade premiership team.
With Andrew, came his younger brother Simon, affectionately known as “Noid” who also played between the pipes but later decided to turn his hand to defence, playing through the senior grades and acquitting himself well in the A grade. Long retired, Noid is putting the foil on again with the Chiefs in the summer league sporting his in-famous number 29.
With Andrew and Simon came two of the best hockey parents the club has seen in Neil and Marion. Devoted to the Hawks, they did everything as junior parents. Always seen at the rink supporting their boys, Neil was the team manager of the 1984 A grade premiership team and it was a very sad day for the club when he passed away in 2011.
- 1986 Richard Keyser
- 1987 Jamie Adams
- 1988 Richard Szabo
- 1989 Craig Luke
- 1990 Tim Grandy
- 1991 Ron Klajnblat
- 1992 ??
- 1993 ??
- 1994 ??
- 1995 ??
- 1996 ??
- 1997 ??
- 1998 Darren Croft
- 1999 Darren Croft & Angus Campbell
- 2000 Mark Smith
- 2001 David Kucera
- 2002 Ben Dalton
- 2003 David Kucera
- 2004 Erin Geraghty
- 2005 Shane Hardy
- 2006 Dahlen Phillips
- 2007 Chris Pippo
- 2008 Jack McCoy
- 2009 Not Awarded
- 2010 Jim Han
- 2011 Nick Trusewucz
- 2012 Brok Eastwood
- 2013 Paul Lazzarotto
- 2014 Niko French
- 2015 Jack McCoy
- 2016 Jack McCoy
