Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League

PLAYERS OF THE WEEK (Feb 25)

By Mike Stackhouse

CANALTA HOTELS SJHL PLAYER OF THE WEEK: Carson Albrecht, Melfort Mustangs
1998 F Carson Albrecht (Martensville SK) scored three goals and five assists in three games played last week to move back into second place in the overall league scoring race.  Albrecht began the week with 2-goals and 2-assists in a victory over Melville. He set up a goal in an overtime win over Humboldt on Friday. Saturday, he contributed a goal and two assists in the second period of a win over Kindersley.  Albrecht, who recently committed to the North Dakota Fighting Hawks for this Fall, now has 33-goals and 51-assists in 52-games on the year. Runner-up: Chantz Petruic, Yorkton.

SJHL DEFENSEMAN OF THE WEEK: Walker Cote, Nipawin Hawks
1998 D Walker Cote (Falher AB) contributed a goal and three assists in two games played last week.  His biggest output was on Saturday against Yorkton when he chipped in with three assists in a 5-2 win.  The previous night, he scored his team’s only goal in a 2-1 loss to Kindersley. Cote has been a solid addition down the stretch for the Hawks, with 3-goals and 7-assists in 13-games played.  Runner-up: Boedy Donald, Melfort.

SASKTEL SJHL GOALTENDER OF THE WEEK: Justen Close, Kindersley Klippers
1998 G Justen Close (Kindersley SK) didn’t suffer from an NCAA scholarship hangover this week.  In fact, he was as good as ever, leading his team to 3 wins and a 1.67-GAA and .955-SPCT. He stopped 34-of-35 against Humboldt last Monday and then made 39-saves in a 2-1 win over Nipawin on Friday.  He finished the week with 34-stops against the Broncos to beat them for the second time in seven days. Close, who’s committed to the Minnesota Golden Gophers, may have cemented the Goaltender Of The Year Award with this standout week.  He’s 24-10-1-and-2 with a 2.13-GAA and .930-SPCT. Runner-up: Matt Lukacs, Notre Dame.

DIRECTWEST SJHL ROOKIE OF THE WEEK:  Jarrett Penner, Notre Dame Hounds
2000 F Jarrett Penner (Saskatoon SK) has been red hot in the second half of the season and he capped another great week by scoring 1-goal and 4-assists on Sunday in a 6-5 shootout loss to the Battlefords North Stars.  Penner also hit the scoresheet in two other games, scoring against La Ronge on Saturday, and setting up one against Estevan on Tuesday. Penner, who didn’t have eye popping offensive numbers in AAA Midget, is projecting to be one of the better players in the SJHL next year and has 21-goals and 19-assists in 53-games.  Runner-up: Austin Becker, Battlefords.