SHERWOOD DIVISION NOMINEE FOR RBC PLAYER OF THE YEAR
Alec Malo, Flin Flon Bombers
1999 F Alec Malo (Laval PQ) was a player looked to by the Bombers to pick up the offensive slack left behind by a mass exodus of graduating players from last year’s roster and Malo did not disappoint. The former QMJHLer with Gatineau was a playmaking stud in the QJAAAHL last season and he continued to put his talent on display in his only SJHL campaign by leading the league in assists and jostling with teammate Cole Rafuse for second place in the SJHL scoring parade wire to wire this year. An explosive force, Malo has had 13 games in which he scored three points or more in a single game and even though his scoring totals are assist heavy, Malo does have a hat trick and a four goal game under his belt as well, proving he can dent the twine with the best of them. As of press time, Malo had 21-goals and 64-assists in 51-games.
SHERWOOD DIVISION NOMINEE FOR SGEU MOST VALUABLE PLAYER
Cole Rafuse, Flin Flon Bombers
1999 F Cole Rafuse (Kentville NS) is the only player in recent memory to suit up in the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League after having won a Memorial Cup at the major junior level, which Rafuse did in 2018 in Regina. Rafuse had 31-points in 66-games with the former champion Acadie Bathurst Titan as a 19-year-old, but he finishes his Junior ‘A’ career as a lethal weapon for the Bombers, where he accounted for 36-goals and 48-assists in 53-games as of February 20th. Rafuse is also a major part of a Flin Flon powerplay that has dominated all year long with 14-goals and 21-assists while enjoying the man advantage. He’s had two five-point games, three hat tricks, and 11 games of three points or more.
SHERWOOD DIVISION NOMINEE FOR MAYFAIR DIAGNOSTICS DEFENCEMAN OF THE YEAR
Alex Rondeau, Melfort Mustangs
1999 D Alex Rondeau (Drummondville PQ) has built on a promising first year with the Mustangs by anchoring their blueline as a 20-year-old and offering excellent offensive play combined with a stand-out effort defensively as well as an excellent character in the dressing room and other intangibles that help make those around him better. Rondeau was so well thought of by Head Coach Trevor Blevins that he was actually traded away in the offseason due to a future considerations deal made last year and the Mustangs opted to re-acquire him so that he wasn’t lost off their roster. Rondeau also isn’t afraid to mix it up in a physical way and is the total package in all facets. At the time of this writing, he had 10-goals and 24-assists, good for 8th overall amongst SJHL defensemen scoring.
SHERWOOD DIVISION NOMINEE FOR SASKTEL GOALTENDER OF THE YEAR
Liam McGarva, La Ronge Ice Wolves
2000 G Liam McGarva (Fort Saskatchewan AB) parlayed a huge season in the KIJHL with Revelstoke, where the Grizzlies won the league title and McGarva was a stingy component of that team; into a starting gig and a workhorse role with the La Ronge Ice Wolves as he was a major reason why the Ice Wolves were able to push towards the top of the standings. McGarva (on February 20th) was tied for the league lead in wins, third in minutes played, and second in shutouts. The month of November was especially good for McGarva and the Ice Wolves as he went 8-1-0-and-1 with a 1.82-GAA and .947-SPCT and that is, likely, the difference between the Ice Wolves being in the running for the 3 seed instead of a lower playoff spot. Overall, he finished the season with a 3.22-GAA and .915 SPCT.
SHERWOOD DIVISION NOMINEE FOR DIRECTWEST ROOKIE OF THE YEAR
Tristan Lemyre, Flin Flon Bombers
2001 F Tristan Lemyre (Mirabel PQ) has, simply, been one of the most dominating offensive 18-year-old rookies in the SJHL in recent memory. Lemyre battled an injury that caused him to miss the entire month of October, yet he has still managed to put a wide distance between himself and other first year players as far as scoring statistics are concerned. Lemyre (as of February 20th) has 29-goals and 31-assists in 41-games, which marks a 13-point lead over the second highest scoring rookie despite the fact he missed 12-games. Furthermore, Lemyre is the second highest scoring player in the entire league since December 1st (behind only Chantz Petruic) and the NCAA has taken notice as Lemyre accepted a scholarship to the University of Denver last month.
