Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League

PLAYERS OF THE WEEK (Nov 12)

By Mike Stackhouse

Photo – Courtesy Marla Possberg

CANALTA HOTELS SJHL PLAYER OF THE WEEK:  Michael Clarke, Humboldt Broncos
1998 F Michael Clarke (Calgary AB) paced the Broncos with 4-goals and 4-assists in 3-games played this past week as Humboldt emerged victorious in all three contests to assume first place in the Global Ag Risk Solutions Division.  Clarke’s biggest game was on Friday night as he dropped a hat trick and five points on the Yorkton Terriers in a 6-3 win on home ice. Earlier in the week, he scored the overtime winner and set up another in a win over Notre Dame. He had an assist on Sunday as they eked out a one goal win over Estevan.  Clarke is amongst the league leaders for the season in scoring with 12-goals and 19-assists in 23-games. Runner-up: Braydon Buziak, Battlefords.

SJHL DEFENSEMAN OF THE WEEK:  Jake Heerspink, Estevan Bruins
1998 D Jake Heerspink (Regina SK) picked up one goal and four assists in four games played this past week and the Estevan Bruins moved back into first place in the Viterra Division.  Heerspink’s goal came on Saturday in a one goal loss to Kindersley, but he found the scoresheet in all four games the Bruins played this past week. He had two assists in Tuesday’s win over Yorkton and also had helpers in Battlefords on Friday and on Sunday in Humboldt.  The offensive minded rearguard has points in his last eight games and eleven of his last fourteen. For the year, he has 5-goals and 13-assists in 22-games. Runner-up: Josh Patrician, Humboldt.

SASKTEL SJHL GOALTENDER OF THE WEEK:  Hunter Arps, Melfort Mustangs
1999 G Hunter Arps (Melfort SK) backstopped the Mustangs to a pair of wins this past week in what may have been his best week as a Junior ‘A’ netminder.  Arps held the fort Thursday night for a 3-2 win over Kindersley as he made 19-saves in the third period as Kindersley held a 21-5 shots advantage. He had 37-saves on the night.  On Saturday, he blocked 25-of-26 to defeat the Nipawin Hawks. Arps is now 8-3-and-1 with a 2.90-GAA and .905-SPCT. Runner-up: Jake Anthony, Estevan.

DIRECTWEST SJHL ROOKIE OF THE WEEK:  Tristan Shewchuk, Melville Millionaires
2001 F Tristan Shewchuk (Saskatoon SK) is seizing an opportunity to emerge as one of Melville’s top offensive players as he’s picked up points in three straight games and had two goals and one assist in two weekend games as the Mils earned a split on a road trip in Kindersley and Battlefords.  Shewchuk got a helper in a 2-1 win over the Klippers and then scored twice in the third period of a 7-4 loss to the North Stars. Shewchuk has 4-goals and 2-assists in his last 6-games and, overall, he’s up to 5-goals and 3-assists in 17-games. Runner-up: Vincent Nardone, Flin Flon.