After helping the Valley West Hawks to their best-ever finish, a pair of local defencemen are hoping to make the jump to the next level, the Western Hockey League, when the hockey season begins.

Both Kyle Burroughs and Kyle Becker were named to the B.C. Major Midget Hockey League鈥檚 all-star team, it was announced earlier this month.

They were joined on the list by their goaltender, Cloverdale Minor Hockey product Steven Myland.

Myland led the league in goals against average, with an eye-popping 1.94 GAA.

And Burroughs and Becker, both products of the 91原创 Minor Hockey Association system, were a big reason the Hawks allowed the fewest goals against in the league last season.

But the two defencemen did more than just anchor the team鈥檚 blue-line, they were key cogs in the offensive attack.

Becker led the league鈥檚 defencemen with 13 goals, while Burroughs was second in points among blue-liners with 36 (11 goals, 25 assists).

The 17-year-old was in his second season with the Hawks and he said having the green light from his coaches made the world of difference in his play.

鈥淚 was encouraged to make my plays,鈥� he explained. 鈥淗aving the coaches鈥� confidence is huge, knowing they have your back.鈥�

He also credited his teammates for making it both a fun and successful season.

Both players are training for their respective WHL camps, Burroughs with the Regina Pats, and Becker with the Medicine Hat Tigers.

鈥淛ust working out every day, plus doing some running at the track,鈥� Burroughs said about his preparations for hopefully landing a spot on the Pats鈥� blue-line as a 16-year-old.

He is working out with Impact Hockey Development.

Becker is training with TnT Hockey Performance Training.

鈥淚t has been some of the best training I have done,鈥� he said.

He is just getting back to training after surgery on a cracked bone in his wrist earlier this month.

Burroughs said he gained confidence from his outstanding season with the Hawks, which he hopes to carry forward as he looks to make the jump from major midget to major junior.

鈥淭he season gave me confidence and let me know I could play at a high level,鈥� he said.

He described his feelings as a mix of excitement and nervousness going into the 2011/12 season.

鈥淏ut I am sure once I get there (training camp), the nerves will disappear.鈥�

In addition to the all-star selection, Burroughs was invited by BC Hockey for next week鈥檚 (July 24-27) male U17 provincial camp in Salmon Arm. He is one of 41 players selected to attend.

Three other local hockey players have also been invited: defenceman Jordan Klimek of 91原创, and Aldergrove鈥檚 Shea Theodore and Brandon Potomak. Potomak is a forward and Theodore a defenceman.

Klimek played for the Hawks, while Theodore was on MML鈥檚 Fraser Valley Bruins and Potomak played for the Pursuit of Excellence Hockey Academy in Kelowna.

The players are looking to land a spot on Team Pacific, a mix of B.C. and Alberta hockey players.

鈥⑩赌⑩赌⑩赌⑩赌�

The Hawks finished third in the league, at 24-8-8, and qualified for the post-season for the first time. The team won their first series before losing in the league鈥檚 semifinals.

The team鈥檚 best-ever season did not go unrecognized as co-coaches Ryan Weber and Rob Rogers were named the joint winners of the league鈥檚 coach of the year award.