Wednesday, February 29, 2012

SJHL REGULAR SEASON AWARD WINNERS

Press Release

Tuesday, February 28, 2012

SJHL PLAYER OF THE YEAR
Jesse Ross, Weyburn Red Wings
1991 F Jesse Ross (Regina SK) was the integral figure on the league’s best line all season long with Keegan Bruce and Coltyn Sanderson. Ross ended up leading the league in scoring with 46-goals and 35-assists in 56-games. His play was a big reason why the Red Wings were able to spend the majority of the season in first place in the Sherwood Conference.
Runner-up: Blake Tatchell, Battlefords

SJHL MOST VALUABLE PLAYER
Blake Tatchell, Battlefords North Stars
1991 F Blake Tatchell (North Battleford SK) finished second in the SJHL scoring race with 42-goals and 44-assists. He also finished 31-points ahead of the next highest scoring player on his team. In addition, the Stars were pretty much guaranteed a win whenever Tatchell recorded two points or more. His hockey career will continue next Fall at Alaska-Anchorage (NCAA Div I).
Runner-up: Andrew Johnston, Humboldt

SJHL DEFENSEMAN OF THE YEAR
Carson Grolla, Notre Dame Hounds
1992 D Carson Grolla (Trail BC) is the envy of a lot of Junior ‘A’ defensemen. He skates well, shoots the puck hard, plays a smart game in his own end, makes a good first pass, and has a real competitive edge. Grolla finished the season with 16-goals and 25-assists in 57-games. He also led the team in penalty minutes with 121.
Runner-up: Woody Klassen, Battlefords.

SJHL TOP GOALTENDER
Davis Jones, Nipawin Hawks
1992 G Davis Jones (St. Albert AB) backstopped a Hawks team that finished with the fourth best record in the league despite a great deal of turnover from last year’s squad. He finished second in the league in goals against average (2.42) and third in save percentage (.920), all the while finishing second in minutes played and tied for first in wins.
Runner-up: Alex Rajote, La Ronge & Mitch Kilgore, Weyburn

SJHL ROOKIE OF THE YEAR
Devin Buffalo, Flin Flon Bombers & Brandon Millin, Notre Dame Hounds
1993 G Devin Buffalo (Wetaskiwin AB) accomplished a rare feat in that he was a rookie out-of-province netminder, who was able to step into a number one role with an SJHL team that spent the majority of the year contending for a top spot in the standings. Buffalo, with a young team in front of him, had a 3.36-GAA and a .909 SPCT.
1992 F Brandon Millin (Port Moody BC) played on the number one line for the Hounds in his first Junior ‘A’ season. He fired 21-goals and 22-assists to finish second on the team in scoring and tied for second in league scoring amongst rookies.

SJHL COACH OF THE YEAR
Doug Johnson, Nipawin Hawks
The Nipawin Hawks were the most improved team in the standings from 2010-11 to 2011-12. Johnson was the architect of the surge as he moved players in and out of the line-up until he found the perfect mix to coach. The Hawks were extremely tough to play at the start of the season, and after a rough 25 game spell at midseason, they got back on track after Christmas and went into the playoffs as a team known for its work ethic and desire to play hard for their boss.
Runner-up: Kevin Hasselberg, Battlefords

SJHL SCORING CHAMPION
Jesse Ross, Weyburn Red Wings
1991 F Jesse Ross (Regina SK) enjoyed a tremendous coming out party in 2011-12, leading the league in points with 91 and goals with 46. His 46 goals was one shy of the number of points he had in 2010-11.
Runners-up: Blake Tatchell, Battlefords; Ian McNulty, Melville.

LOWEST GOALS AGAINST AVERAGE
Matt Hrynkiw, Humboldt Broncos
1992 G Matt Hrynkiw (Saskatoon SK) got off to a hot start, had a bit of an early season slump, and then caught fire after December as he finished with four shutouts and a 2.28-GAA. He also posted a .921-SPCT.
Runner-up: Davis Jones, Nipawin Haks



(Nathan can be reached at fourniern@students.nescom.edu)

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