SGEU MVP of the Week: William Leonard, Yorkton Terriers
Usually, Leonard is the trigger man on that top Yorkton unit, but he played provider with a three-assist game against a tough Nipawin team last weekend. The Quebec native has been a perfect fit as a Top 6 forward in the SJHL since he got here, and has blossomed to a massive degree this whole campaign. The Terriers are in a real dogfight for second, but could even jump higher should Flin Flon slip, and it’s hard to see Yorkton not doing their part with the way Leonard and co. are playing.
Week Stats: 3 GP, 1 G, 5 A, 6 PTS
Bourgault Forward of the Week: Dayton Tailfeathers, La Ronge Ice Wolves
Tailfeathers has quietly been an elite performer in the second half of the season and has taken the leadership role of the wildly young Ice Wolves very seriously. A two-goal game in a tough Yorkton barn followed up a two-assist night in Melville this past week as the Wolves were busy. Tailfeathers could be a massive piece for La Ronge next year, after he jumped up from 11 points as a rookie last year to 30 this campaign, with a big frame and shot to match.
Week Stats: 4 GP, 3 G, 2 A, 5 PTS
SuperU Defenceman of the Week: Gavin Bartha, Yorkton Terriers
There is no doubt: Bartha is loving life in Orange. He was strong since coming from the MJHL at the trade deadline, but has lit the league on fire in February, and now has multi-point games in six of his last eight contests as a blue liner. There are some premium pairings in our league, but Bartha on the right and Tommy Ries on the left are right at the top.
Week Stats: 3 GP, 1 G, 5 A, 6 PTS
SaskTel Goalie of the Week: Kason Kobelka, Melfort Mustangs
Rookie of the year awards more often than not go to point scorers, but there is certainly a ‘Kase’-on for Kobelka this year. The Mustangs’ rookie is now second in goals against average among qualified goaltenders and has won 11 straight starts. He was stellar against Weyburn, and in Flin Flon this week, two of the top teams in the league, and the question of whether he or more veteran goaltender Madden Mulawka would get Game 1 of the playoffs remains open.
Week Stats: 2-0-0-0, 1.96 GAA, .934 SV%
SaskMilk Rookie of the Week: Nathan Kam, Estevan Bruins
Estevan’s goaltending has been outstanding all year long, and Kam’s play really makes it no wonder the Kelowna Rockets of the WHL are so high on him. A big win over Melville this past week was critical for the Bruins’ playoff positioning, and a solid 28-save performance in that contest speaks volumes to his ability to come up clutch. Kam has been a .900 save percentage-plus in eight of his last 10 starts…a recipe for success.
Week Stats: 1-0-0-0, 2.00 GAA, .933 SV%
Canterra Seeds Saskatchewan Player of the Week: Cash Lanigan, Yorkton Terriers (from Regina, Sask)
Cash could easily have been MVP, forward or rookie of the week too, so consider him a co-winner of all three of those if you want. Tied for the rookie lead in points, the rugged 2008 birth year had goals in all three of Yorkton’s games this week, and has seven points in a mini four-game point streak. Much is made of the Terriers’ top line, but the unit of Lanigan on the left with Aiden Vallance in the middle and Vinay Junek has been brilliant as well.
Week Stats: 3 GP, 3 G, 3 A, 6 PTS
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