TORONTO – The Canadian Junior Hockey League announced Wednesday the names of the five players that have been selected finalists for its Top Rookie Award in the 2022-23 campaign.
Each of the finalists were determined through a voting process completed by the CJHL’s nine-member leagues, for their respective efforts during the course of the regular season.
The following are the five nominees for CJHL Top Rookie honours, which are listed alphabetically, by league:
Hudson Malinoski, (F) Brooks Bandits (AJHL): Malinoski finished 11th overall in the AJHL Scoring Race and was 3rd amongst rookies with 69 points. … The 18-year-old forward from Saskatoon, Sask., was a finalist for the AJHL Rookie of the Year Award. … He is committed to attend Providence College on NCAA Division I scholarship. … Was a finalist for the AJHL Rookie of the Year Award and was rated 78th on the NHL Central Scouting mid-term Rankings.
With files from Charla Flett, Executive Director (AJHL)
Luke Posthumous, (F) Nepean Raiders (CCHL): The 18-year-old forward from Nepean, Ont., and Northeastern University NCAA Division I commit finished tops among all CCHL rookie skaters in goals (19), assists (29) and points (48) in 54 games played. … He twice earned CCHL Rookie of the Month honours during the season.
With files from Sean Marcellus, Director of Operations (CCHL)
Carter Cormier, (F) Selkirk Steelers (MJHL): Cormier broke on to the scene in the MJHL this season in a big way and finished second in rookie scoring with 19 goals and 33 assists in 45 games. … He finished this season as the only rookie to score more than a point per game (1.16) … For his performance this season, Cormier was named the Kim Davis Award winner as the MJHL’s Rookie of the Year and was voted an MJHL Rookie Team All-Star. … This season, Cormier was named an MJHL star of the week twice and was named the MJHL’s rookie of the month in November, January and February. … In January, Cormier was selected to play for Team MJHL at the MJHL-SJHL Showcase.
With files from Eric Swar, Director, Marketing & Partnerships (MJHL)
Riley Patterson, (F) North York Rangers (OJHL): Young Riley Patterson of the North York Rangers was named its Warrior South-East Conference Player-of-the-Month for November after he tallied 16 points during 10 games, which was quite an accomplishment for one of the youngest players in the 21-team OJHL. … The 17-year-old from Burlington, Ont., led the Rangers in scoring this season with 30 goals and 43 assists in 52 games. The six-foot forward also provided four game-winning goals and five more while his club was shorthanded. … The youngest player on a very youthful North York roster is a prospect for the 2024 NHL Draft. Patterson committed early this season to the NCAA Division 1 Michigan State Spartans in Lansing, Mich., for 2024.
With files from Jim Mason, Director of Communications (OJHL)
Riley Ashe, (F) Melfort Mustangs (SJHL): The 2022-23 rookie class in the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League was outstanding, and earning DirectWest Rookie of the Year honours in the SJHL was 17-year-old Riley Ashe of the Melfort Mustangs. … The first-year forward from Warman, Sask., was elevated to a major role in his rookie campaign in the league, consistently being in Melfort’s top six. … Ashe finished the year with eight goals and 30 assists. … He is currently committed to the University of Omaha-Nebraska on NCAA Division I scholaship.
With files from Jeromy Corrigan, Director of Media (SJHL)
Earning honourable mention status for the CJHL Top Rookie Award in 2022-23 were as follows:
Maxime Gervais, (F) Panthères de St-Jérôme (LHJAAAQ); Ben Mercer, (F) Pictou County Weeks Crushers (MHL); Kyloe Ellis, (D) Greater Sudbury Cubs (NOJHL) and Max Leduc, (F) Kam River Fighting Walleye (SIJHL).