VANCOUVER — Since 1997, the B.C. Lions have enjoyed an unbroken string of success when it comes to individual player awards in the Canadian Football League.

At least one tuxedoed Lion has been there every year for the trophy-giving during Grey Cup week.

That long stretch ended today when not a single Lion was named as a CFL West Division most outstanding player nominee.

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Lions right tackle Jovan Olafioye, the league’s most outstanding lineman in 2012, lost out to Saskatchewan guard Brendon LaBatte, the nominee from the West this year.

As well, B.C. linebacker Adam Bighill was passed over in favour of Calgary Stampeders’ defensive end Charles Hughes (who had a league-leading 18 sacks) in the defensive player of the year category.

Both Olafioye and Bighill were considered to have the best chance of maintaining the Lions’ continual stretch of individual player awards.

Stampeder running back Jon Cornish could be the first Canadian player to win the league’s most outstanding player award since Tony Gabriel in 1978. He was the West’s choice in both the MOP and most outstanding Canadian player categories and stands a good chance of winning both. Gabriel and Russ Jackson, a three-time winner, are the only Canadian-born players to have been named most outstanding player in league history.

Toronto quarterback Ricky Ray, the East Division’s MOP candidate, had an outstanding year as well (he set a league record for passing efficiency) but missed six games with a shoulder injury.

With the exception of the lineman category (LaBatte), the division-leading Stampeders dominated the nominations from the West. In addition to Cornish and Hughes, Calgary kicker Rene Paredes was the choice as special teams player of the year. He set a league record for field goal proficiency, breaking the previous mark established by the Lions’ Paul McCallum in 2011. In addition, Stampeder centre Brett Jones is up for the rookie of the year award against Hamilton Tiger-Cats running back C.J. Gable.

Jones, from the University of Regina Rams, is seeking to become the first Canadian-born player to win the rookie award since Jason Clermont, a first-year Lion in 2002 who also played his college ball with the Rams.

Selections were made by CFL coaches and 77 voting members of the Football Reporters of Canada (FRC) in six categories.

This year's Nominees:

CATEGORY

TOP PLAYER

Jon Cornish (CGY)

Ricky Ray (TOR)

DEFENSIVE PLAYER

Charleston Hughes (CGY)

Chip Cox (MTL)

CANADIAN PLAYER

Jon Cornish (CGY)

Henoc Muamba (WPG)

SPECIAL TEAMS

Rene Paredes (CGY)

Marc Beswick (HAM)

ROOKIE

Brett Jones (CGY)

C.J. Gable (HAM)

OFFENSIVE LINEMAN

Brendon LaBatte (SSK)

Jeff Keeping (TO)