Parsons has now claimed three straight CHL M.V.P. awards, claiming both regular season and playoff M.V.P. honors last season while leading the RiverKings to their first ever Ray Miron President's Cup as CHL champions. Currently the Boston native leads the CHL with 55 goals and 101 points, and has already surpassed his 2001/2002 totals of 54 goals and 94 points. Parsons also holds a nine point lead in the scoring race, making him a clear favorite to also win the Joe Burton (Scoring Champion) Trophy, recently renamed in honor of Oklahoma City Blazers forward Joe Burton, who is retiring after this season and currently holds or shares 19 significant CHL records.

"It is an impressive accomplishment for Don," RiverKings head coach Doug Shedden said. "It is very well deserved. We would not be in the playoff hunt without him. We have been together the last seven seasons and he just seems to get better with age."

"It is quite an honor," said Parsons. "To be selected as the CHL MVP again is very special. I am excited to share this award with my teammates and my coaches because it is a reflection of their work as well. Right now I am focused on trying to help the `Kings win another title, but after the season it will be fun to look back on this."

Parsons also was a strong candidate to earn the 2002/2003 CHL Man of the Year award for outstanding community service, and was recently named Just Hockey Magazine's Minor League Player of the Year. The award is presented by Inthecrease.com, and takes into account the player's on-ice performance coupled with his involvement in the community. Parsons and the RiverKings will try to capture a playoff berth this weekend, playing the New Mexico Scorpions, Indianapolis Ice and Austin Ice Bats to conclude their regular season.

Also receiving recognition as CHL M.V.P. finalists were goaltenders Matt Barnes of the Austin Ice Bats and Shawn Silver of the Indianapolis Ice, as well as forwards Todd Marcellus of the Tulsa Oilers, and Eric Schneider of the Laredo Bucks.