Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League

PLAYERS OF THE WEEK (Oct 29)

By Mike Stackhouse

***Photo courtesy Richard Petersen***

CANALTA HOTELS SJHL PLAYER OF THE WEEK:  Declan Hobbs, Nipawin Hawks
1998 G Declan Hobbs (Saskatoon SK) posted back to back shutouts in starts against Estevan and Melville this past week and he now has four shutouts in eleven starts on the year.  On Tuesday, Hobbs made 39-saves in a 2-0 victory over Estevan. He made 16 of those saves in the third period. On Friday, he stopped 24 shots in a 2-0 decision over Melville, on the road.  Overall, Hobbs sits at 7-and-4 with a 1.83-GAA and .944-SPCT. Runner-up: Marshall Wilton, Notre Dame.

SJHL DEFENSEMAN OF THE WEEK:  Kayle Tosh, Melfort Mustangs
1998 D Kayle Tosh (Beausejour MB) took advantage of a three game homestand to record three straight games in which he collected two assists in every contest.  On Tuesday, Tosh had both helpers in the third period of a 6-5 win against Weyburn. He had an assist on the overtime winner Friday night against Humboldt as the Mustangs emerged 3-2 victors.  He set up two of his team’s four goals on Saturday against Estevan. Tosh leads all SJHL blueliners in scoring with 2-goals and 18-assists in 15-games this year. Runner-up: Isaac Jackson, Flin Flon.

SASKTEL SJHL GOALTENDER OF THE WEEK:  Justen Close, Kindersley Klippers
1998 G Justen Close (Kindersley Klippers) continued his hot play this past week by recording wins over Battlefords on Wednesday and Notre Dame on Saturday.  Close has been a thorn in the side of the North Stars this year and he led the Klippers to a 3-2 shootout win over them, stopping 21-shots. He made 16-saves and then recorded another shootout victory over Notre Dame on Saturday.  Close hasn’t lost since September 29th (6-0-and-1) and is 9-2-and-1 with a 1.96-GAA and .930-SPCT. He’s been beaten for more than two goals in a game just twice. Runner-up: Andrew Henderson, Notre Dame.

DIRECTWEST SJHL ROOKIE OF THE WEEK:  Vincent Nardone, Flin Flon Bombers
2000 F Vincent Nardone (Rosemere PQ) scored three goals in two Flin Flon wins this past week, notching the game winner in both instances.  Nardone’s single tally against Estevan on Wednesday was also a powerplay goals. He scored twice in a win over Weyburn on Saturday, with one coming on the powerplay.  He is up to 10-goals and 4-assists in 18-games on the year. Runner-up: Adam Dmyterko, Battlefords.