SJHL ANNOUNCES SCHOLARSHIP AND AWARD WINNERS

Press Release

The Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League is proud to announce some scholarship and award winners that had previously not been announced. The SJHL would like to congratulate the following people for their accomplishments both on and off the ice.

GRAHAM CHRISTIE MEMORIAL AWARD (LEADERSHIP AND DEDICATION)

This year’s recipient of the Graham Christie Award is Melville Millionaires forward Lucas Froese. The 1992 born forward from Grunthal, Manitoba had 43 points in 47 games last season and is expected to play a big role for the Millionaires in the 2011-12 season both on and off the ice as a leader to not only his team, but his community.



ROGER NEILSON AWARD (FAIR PLAY AND DEDICATION TO THE GAME)

Joel Danyluk of the Estevan Bruins is the winner of the Roger Neilson award. This 20 year old goalie from Yorkton has a full understanding of what a community means to a hockey club. He works very hard to ensure that children who attended Bruin games received autograph's, souvenirs and the attention that they need to keep them coming back to the games. Joel was constantly involved in the community through school visits, helping out with minor hockey, volunteering at community events and making sure that this community knows that the Estevan Bruins Hockey Club as a whole depends on the community for support.

This award is voted on by the twelve coaches and team chaplains of SJHL teams, and it goes to the player who best displays fair play and dedication to the game of hockey. These attributes are both on and off the ice. The winner also has to show a commitment to the team chaplain program. This award is also known as the Hockey Ministries International Award.

BILL SHINSKE AWARD (BUILDER)

Joan Iluk posthumously captures the Bill Shinske Award as the Builder of the Year. Joan and her long time husband Ernie have been staples around the Melville Millionaires for years making sure that several tasks were done both on and off the ice to ensure the viability of the organization. Without her contributions, the Millionaires would not be in the position they are today.

WAYNE KARTUSCH SCHOLARSHIP

Notre Dame Hounds forward Trevor Milner is the winner of this year’s Wayne Kartusch scholarship named after the longtime president of the SJHL. After completing his junior “A” career with the Hounds, Milner is moving on to play with Simon Fraser University in the 2011-12 season.

SJHL SCHOLARSHIPS

The SJHL would like to recognize both Weyburn Red Wings defenceman Tanner McCall and Battlefords Stars forward Tony Oak as winners of this year’s SJHL scholarship. Both men will be continuing their education as McCall is enrolled at the University of Regina for the next academic year while Oak will attend school at Simon Fraser University along with playing for the hockey program.

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