The Canadian ice hockey import provided the most compelling of cases.

His 44 goals and 91 points (47 assists) set new records for the Australian Ice Hockey League and helped deliver the North Stars the minor premiership.

Wudrick was the obvious choice for MVP once fellow import Luke Moffatt (33 goals, 32 assists) signed with Italian Serie A club Gherdeina in July.

But for North Stars coach Andrew Petrie, the 2008 Los Angeles Kings draftee's efforts beyond the rink underlined his quality.

"He's one of the most humble and sincere people I've met, not just in hockey, but my entire life," Petrie said.

"The guy had every right to come over here with that athlete's air of arrogance, but he's never for a second in any practice or game displayed any arrogance whatsoever.

"For all his goal-scoring feats, he's a genuine team guy."

Wudrick looms as the North Stars' main man as they strive to break a seven-year Goodall Cup drought in this weekend's AIHL play-offs in Melbourne.

The North Stars face the Canberra Brave in a semi-final on Saturday and, if successful, will face the winner of Melbourne Ice and Perth Thunder in Sunday's decider.

Robert Starke was awarded the most dedicated player for his efforts in taking over the club captaincy after stalwart Ray Sheffield retired on the eve of the season.

 ‘‘He stepped into the captaincy role reluctantly because he didn’t want to follow Ray, but really he was the only one for the job and he’s done a tremendous job,’’ Petrie said.

Former Sydney Ice Dogs captain Robert Malloy received the coach’s award for his first season at Newcastle due to his versatility, and goal tender Dayne Davis won best defence man.

Home-grown North Stars Matt Lindsay and Jayson Chalker were awarded the best Australian player and most improved respectively.

Petrie described the 70-kilogram Lindsay as the most ‘‘underrated player in the AIHL’’, while Chalker enjoyed the success of taking a more aggressive approach onto the ice.