RBC SJHL PLAYER OF THE WEEK: Connor McGrath, Humboldt Broncos
Humboldt’s 2003-born forward Connor McGrath leads the league in points after the first weekend with two goals and seven points after two wins over the Notre Dame Hounds. McGrath, of LeRoy, SK, clicked on a line with Logan Kurki and Braiden Koran, as the unit combined for 17 points in the two victories. The former leading scorer of the Moose Jaw Warriors 18U was acquired by the Broncos in the off-season in a trade with the Weyburn Red Wings, and Humboldt coach Scott Barney was impressed post-game with his vision, and shooting abilities. Runner-up: Andrew Schaab, Nipawin Hawks.
MAYFAIR DIAGNOSTICS SJHL DEFENCEMAN OF THE WEEK: Evan Bortis, Nipawin Hawks
Nipawin’s 2002-born defender Evan Bortis scored a goal in both of his club’s wins vs. the La Ronge Ice Wolves this past weekend and added an assist to conclude the season’s first weekend among the scoring leaders of SJHL blue liners. Bortis, a native of Saskatoon, enters his third year as a key leader on Nipawin’s talented defence-corps, and made that statement quickly by scoring his club’s first goal of the season on the power play Friday night in La Ronge. Runner-up: Nicksha Eric, Humboldt Broncos
SASKTEL SJHL GOALTENDER OF THE WEEK: Boston Bilous, Estevan Bruins
Estevan’s 2001-born No. 1 goaltender Boston Bilous earned the honour by backstopping the Centennial Cup hosts to two one-goal wins over the Yorkton Terriers in the season-opening weekend. It’s early, but his .923 save percentage is tops in the league among netminders who played both games this past weekend, and it is that sort of clutch goaltending the Bruins will need when Canada’s Junior A best come to Estevan for the National Championship next May. A native of Langley, BC, Bilous joined the Bruins in the off-season from the Moose Jaw Warriors, where he concluded a 97-game Western Hockey League career split between the Warriors, Prince Albert Raiders, and Edmonton Oil Kings. Runner-up: Rayce Ramsay, Humboldt Broncos.
DIRECTWEST SJHL ROOKIE OF THE WEEK: Phil Laberge, Nipawin Hawks
An unknown to many in the league heading into the campaign, Hawks’ head coach Doug Johnson inserted the late 2002-born Laberge onto his top line with captain Andrew Schaab and Joel Mabin, and the move paid instant results. The Blainville, QC native Laberge posted a goal and seven points in the two games, posting four points in his club’s Game 1 win over the Ice Wolves, and three in the second. Laberge came to Nipawin this off-season out of the eastern Canada prep school hockey loup, and the NPU Rebels in Ile-Perrot, QC. Runner-up: Holden Doell, Battlefords North Stars.
