SGEU MVP of the Week: Leo Seitz, Humboldt Broncos
When a big trade happens, it is often followed by a period of adjustment. Nobody told Leo. He has nine points in five games in Bronco green, and after this weekend, he has three multi-point games in a row. The piece de resistance was a two-goal, three-point night in Melfort, a tough place to put up numbers.
Week Stats: 2GP – 3G, 2A – 5 PTS, 3-point night @ Melfort
SaskLotteries Forward of the Week: Tristin Ziola, Melfort Mustangs
Melfort didn’t need a signature win this year, as they are off to a solid start, but they might have pulled that off anyway Friday night in Flin Flon. Ziola was key in Friday’s win at the Whitney Forum with a goal and two assists, and his line with Luke Dekay and Dru Mushumanski has arguably been the league’s most dangerous unit so far this season.
Week Stats: 2GP – 2G, 3A – 5 PTS, 3-point night @ Flin Flon
SuperU Defenceman of the Week: Keil Schmalz, Melville Millionaires
Schmalz has long been one of Doug Johnson’s favourites, and while dynamism has always been there, the gaudy numbers have not. Sunday was a breakout night for Schmalz, as he scored twice in the third period in Kindersley to lead the Mils to a sweep over the Klippers. The Mils took five of six points from a three-game-in-three-days road trip this weekend, and Keil was key in all three zones.
Week Stats: 3GP – 2G, 1A – 3 PTS, 2G + GWG @ Kindersley
SaskTel Goalie of the Week: Nate Stevens, Weyburn Red Wings
September was slow for Stevens, but October has been red hot. Four wins in a row, four games with a .913-plus save percentage, and the emphasis was fully on him this past weekend with Weyburn’s 1B Ethan Berard away with the Brandon Wheat Kings. The dynamic of a returning goalie with a talented rookie isn’t always easy for a veteran, but he’s clearly handled it well.
Week Stats: 2GP, 2-0-0, 1.61 GAA, .941 SV%, 2GA or fewer last 4 GP
SaskMilk Rookie of the Week: Jaggar John, Warman Wolverines
John’s parent Western Hockey League team has been excited about him for a long time, and his short time with the Wolverines so far has shown why. The dynamic, shifty forward had a three-point night in Saturday’s big win over the Battlefords and dominated with the puck on his stick. Offence was a problem for the Wolverines a year ago, but with John and others in tow, it really isn’t this time around.
Week Stats: 2GP – 2G, 2A – 4 PTS, 3-pt night vs. Battlefords
Canterra Seeds Saskatchewan Player of the Week: Mason Karakochuk, Nipawin Hawks (from Saskatoon, Sask)
Karakochuk has been an elite player in the league for two full seasons now, so in his fourth full year in Nipawin, we need to upgrade elite to dominant. A rare night on Oct. 10 in Warman when he didn’t hit the scoresheet was made up for by a four-point night in Friday’s romp over the Yorkton Terriers.
Week Stats: 1GP – 2G, 2A – 4 PTS, 4-point night vs. Yorkton
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