Joseph Young, Goaltender, Weyburn Red Wings
After starting the season in the Prairie Junior Hockey League with the Pilot Butte Storm, Joseph Young made the jump to the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League’s Weyburn Red Wings a month into the regular schedule and once he settled in with his new club the 18-year-old netminder became the backbone to the Red Wings.
His 8-17-0-1 record certainly isn’t indicative of the season the Regina product enjoyed as the Red Wings struggled all season to find the opposition’s net. In fact, of the eight victories Young recorded four were shutouts, which up until the final weekend was the highest number in the league. His .924 save percentage was the second best in the league among active netminders and his .833 save percentage in shootout attempts topped the league by a large margin.
Prior to embarking on his junior career Young spent three seasons with the Battlefords Stars of the Saskatchewan Midget AAA Hockey League where he appeared in nearly 70 games over that span.
With two years of junior eligibility remaining, Young is a major building block for the Red Wings and if the team can muster any more offence to support him then Young’s future appears to be very bright.
Michael Neumeier, Defence, Kindersley Klippers
2003 D Michael Neumeier (Kerrobert SK) was one of a select few 2003 born players to suit up in the SJHL on a regular basis this season, which means he’s still an underage junior player next year too.
Neumeier got the eyes of evaluators as he was chosen to participate in the SJHL-MJHL Showcase in Regina back in January and he became a stalwart for a rebuilding Kindersley Klippers team upon arriving after playing 9 games at the Midget AAA level for the Notre Dame Hounds this year.
He had 1-goal and 9-assists in 38-games played.
Jackson Bohan, Defense, Humboldt Broncos
Humboldt defenseman Jackson Bohan is named to the SJHL’s All-Rookie team for 2019-2020, after putting up 29-points (5g-24a) in 49-games.
The 18-year-old from Cranbrook, BC was 2nd in points among Bronco defensemen, just a point back of Doug Scott and led all SJHL rookie defensemen in scoring, finishing a point ahead of his teammate Cody Hough.
Bohan is just one of a large crop of 2001 players, or younger, eligible to come back to what should be a strong Humboldt team in 2020-2021.
Griffin Asham-Moroz, Forward, Estevan Bruins
The Estevan Bruins’ future appears to be in good hands.
The team’s roster is dotted with numerous first-year players as the Bruins slowly build towards hosting the 2022 Centennial Cup presented by Tim Horton’s and none enjoyed a better freshman season than 18-year-old forward Griffin Asham-Moroz.
Like the rest of the team, when a light schedule had the Bruins getting in limited game action to start the season, Asham-Moroz was slow out of the gate, but he finished his rookie campaign strong with points in nine of the final 10 games to help the Bruins secure the No. 6 seed for the playoffs.
The West St. Paul, Man., product completed his first season of junior hockey with an impressive 18 goals and 29 assists to sit in the top four in team scoring and his totals were third best amongst first-year players for the entire league.
Asham-Moroz was used in every situation as four of his goals were game-winning tallies, two were power-play markers and he even had a couple of shootout attempts. With 54 minutes of penalties he also added a bit of grit to the line-up.
Asham-Moroz made the jump to the junior level after a strong final midget campaign when he averaged more than a point per game for the Winnipeg Thrashers of the Manitoba Midget AAA Hockey League. In 47 games with the Thrashers a year ago, Asham-Moroz registered 49 points, including 25 goals.
His production was even more impressive over the two seasons prior to the year with the Thrashers as Asham-Moroz posted 88 points in 46 games with Garden City.
With a year of junior hockey under his belt, Asham-Moroz will be looked upon for even bigger things and it certainly looks like he is ready to do just that.
Tristan Lemyre, Forward, Flin Flon Bombers
Tristan Lemyre F (Mirabel PQ) took the SJHL by storm in his rookie season and came away with the league’s Rookie Of The Year award despite missing 14 games during the early going due to injury.
Lemyre led all first year players in points with 62 thanks to a 30 goal campaign (he also had 32 assists).
Lemyre played in the SJHL-MJHL Showcase and has made an NCAA commitment to the University of Denver.
Karter McNarland, Forward, Humboldt Broncos
16-year-olds in the SJHL are rare, much less 16-year-olds who put up close to a point-per-game.
Saskatoon product Karter McNarland racked up 50 points (10g-40a) in 57-games and was a regular on the powerplay as a 2003-born player.
McNarland was second only to SJHL Rookie Of The Year Tristan Lemyre (Flin Flon) when it came to rookie scoring leaders this season, and his was fourth among Broncos in points, and suited up in the SJHL-MJHL Showcase in January.
