SGEU MVP OF THE WEEK: Steven Kesslering, Battlefords North Stars
The North Stars’ offense may be as talent rich as any in the SJHL. One of those driving factors that frustrate opposing coaches on any given night is 2002-born forward Steve Kesslering.
The North Stars picked up two consecutive wins this week with Kesslering all over the scoresheet. The Viceroy, SK product scored his 5th goal of the year and added an assist in a 4-1 win over the Melfort Mustangs on Wednesday. Kesslering followed that up with a three-point night on Saturday, picking up a trio of primary assists in a 10-3 victory over La Ronge on Saturday.
The third-year North Star is currently tied for second in the SJHL scoring race with 16 points through 11 games.
Weekly Stats: (2gp, 1g-4a-5pts, 0PIMS)
Runner Up: Nathan Gagne, Flin Flon Bombers
RBC FORWARD OF THE WEEK: Ben Tkatchuk, Melfort Mustangs
The Melfort Mustangs had a busy week. After suffering a 4-1 loss to the North Stars on Wednesday, they went on a southern Saskatchewan swing and picked up back-to-back victories, 5-4 over the Estevan Bruins on Friday, followed by a 5-0 shutout against Weyburn on Saturday. Captain Ben Tkachuk picked up points in all three games.
Melfort currently has the best record in the SJHL (9-2-0-1) and a big reason night in and night out goes to the all-around ability of Ben Tkatchuk.
Weekly Stats: (3gp, 1g-3a-4pts, 0PIMS)
Runner Up: Nolan Doell, La Ronge Ice Wolves
MAYFAIR DIAGNOSTICS SJHL DEFENCEMAN OF THE WEEK: Brayden Koch, Melfort Mustangs
Brayden Koch made his Mustang debut over the weekend and didn’t take long to impress.
2002-born Lloydminster product collected two assists in a pivotal 5-4 win over the Bruins, before scoring his first career SJHL goal on Saturday, while maintaining strong defending in a 5-0 win over the Red Wings.
Weekly Stats (2gp, 1g-2a-3pts, 2PIMS)
Runner Up: Cole Vardy, Flin Flon Bombers
SASKTEL SJHL GOALTENDER OF THE WEEK: Austin Elliot, Notre Dame Hounds
The long time Notre Dame alumni returned to his stomping grounds at Athol Murray College from Saskatoon Blades camp in the WHL and has immediately shored up the crease for the Hounds.
In his first year of Junior-A hockey, the 2004-born netminder hasn’t looked one bit out of his element.
Elliot has an unblemished 4-0-0 record in the early going of the season with a 2.15 GAA and a .936 SV%, the latter of which sits as second best in the SJHL.
This past week he backstopped the Hounds to back-to-back victories on consecutive days, stopping 40 of 41 in a 2-1 win over Humboldt, before turning aside 27 of 28 the following day in a 5-1 win over the Kindersley Klippers.
Weekly Stats: (2-0-0-0, 68/70, 1.00 GAA, .971 SV%)
Runner up: Cal Shell, Flin Flon Bombers
DIRECTWEST SJHL ROOKIE OF THE WEEK: Colby Bear, Battlefords North Stars.
Rookie Colby Bear is having quite the scoring start to his SJHL tenure.
The Peguis, MB native has scored in all but one game he’s suited up for and is currently on a league-leading four-game goal streak with five goals throughout that span.
This week he scored one goal against the Melfort Mustangs on Wednesday and tucked home a pair of goals on Saturday vs La Ronge.
Bear is up to 5 goals on the year in just his 5th game.
Weekly Stats: (2gp, 3g-0a-3p 0PIMS)
Runner up: Zach Cain, Melville Millionaires
