SJHL Award Winners Announced!

- Courtesy of sjhl.ca

SJHL PLAYER OF THE YEAR


Winner: Jordie Johnston, La Ronge Ice Wolves (58-35-53-88)

Johnston is finishing up his third and final SJHL season with the Ice Wolves, having been a point per game performer for each of the last two. Coming up just shy of an SJHL scoring championship, Johnston is one of the SJHL’s most dangerous offensive performers as he has followed up a year in which he had 63-points in 53-games with one that has seen him compile 88-points in 58-games. La Ronge’s team captain, Johnston has excellent character that often has him as the comic relief in the dressing room when the chips are down, yet he also knows when to get serious and can be one of the most gritty players on the ice. Head Coach Bob Beatty says Johnston is a nightly competitor, who has an edge to his game. He plays in all situations and unlike other high scorers, his play without the puck is also exceptional. If you are searching for a player that demands the team come first, it is Jordie Johnston. Johnston is expected to play in the NCAA with Ferris State this upcoming Fall.


Runners-up: Ilia Ejov, Melfort Mustangs; AJ Whiffen, Weyburn Red Wings.

MOST VALUABLE PLAYER


Winner: Ilia Ejov, Melfort Mustangs (28-8-2-2, 4SO, 2.01, .925)

If there was ever a player that arrived in the SJHL and immediately turned around his team’s fortunes, it might be Ejov. When the Mustangs secured his Junior ‘A’ rights, they were 5-and-8 and on the brink of languishing in the 4th and 5th spot in the Itech Conference. As soon as Ejov took over the crease, the Mustangs embarked on a streak of 17 straight games in which they picked up a point. Since
arriving, Ejov has appeared in 40 of 44 games, seldom showing signs of fatigue. He has racked up a 27-7-2-and-2 record with a 2.01-GAA and a .925-SPCT. Ejov also has four shutouts. He joined Humboldt’s Taylor Nelson in establishing a new SJHL single season GAA mark at 2.01, breaking the old mark held by former Weyburn goalie Russell Monette (2.25). Ejov’s future aspirations likely lie in the minor pro ranks or the CIS. He played 91-games in the QMJHL in the two years leading up to his tenure in Melfort.

Runners-up: Jordie Johnston, La Ronge Ice Wolves; AJ Whiffen, Weyburn Red Wings.

SJHL DEFENSEMAN OF THE YEAR:

Winner: Blair Toms, Nipawin Hawks (58-8-21-29)

Toms, a 1987 born product from Redvers, continues to excel and improve with each passing game. Toms is an ice time eater, recently being clocked at almost 36:30 in one particular 60-minute game. Toms is the first on the ice for powerplay time, first out on the penalty kill, always assigned to shut down opposing teams in the final minute of a close game, leads the Hawks in blocked shots, and is the top +/- player on the team. Toms gets high praise from Head Coach Dave Hyrsky, who marveled at the respect his captain has from the rest of the dressing room. Hyrsky, who has considerable experience coaching men, calls Toms the best captain he’s ever had. A dedicated athlete who hits the gym as early as 7:30 in the morning, Toms has pro potential and a couple of NCAA schools scouting him for possible enrollment in the Fall of 2008. In three SJHL seasons, Toms has never missed a game.

Runners-up: Kyle Haines, Weyburn Red Wings; Kealin Wong, Estevan Bruins.

SJHL ROOKIE OF THE YEAR

Winner: AJ Whiffen, Weyburn Red Wings (26-7-2-4, 6SO, 2.34, .931)



It’s not often that rookie goaltenders step into the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League and dominate the way Whiffen has this year. All he’s done is tie Terry Denike and Taylor Nelson for the single season shutout record with six. He also has posted a league best save percentage of .932. On a Red Wing team that is rich in tradition, Whiffen is the first ever rookie Red Wing netminder to be handed a starting assignment pretty much from the beginning of the regular season right through to the end, all the while playing on a team that should be a Credential Cup contender. General Manager Ron Rumball credits Whiffen’s abundance of success to his veteran mentality. A hard worker with an unflappable personality, Whiffen didn’t even turn 18 until November 30th. Although he has two more years of junior eligibility, Whiffen is surely drawing NCAA interest already.

Runners-up: Rylan Schwartz, Notre Dame Hounds; Tommy Brown, Melfort Mustangs.

WILLIAM SHINSKE AWARD (Builder Of The Year)


Winner: Dwight McMillan, Weyburn Red Wings

McMillan has been associated with the Red Wings for 35-years and recently won his 1000th career regular season game. McMillan’s tenure has resulted in the Red Wings becoming a model franchise, not only in the SJHL, but in the CJAHL as a whole. McMillan has a tremendous amount of respect amongst his peers and currently serves as the SJHL Coach’s Advocate. His opinions and ideas carry a great deal of weight around the league boardroom and his longevity and tremendous amount of success has helped punctuate the SJHL’s place on the hockey map. He has also represented the SJHL on a national level in each of the last two years at the World Junior ‘A’ Challenge. He has promoted countless players on to various careers, not only in hockey but in all walks of life.

KRESSE KRUGER MANTYKA AWARD (Hockey & Academic Excellence)


Winner: Preston Shupe, Weyburn Red Wings

Shupe’s on-ice skills are evident to, even, the casual SJHL fan. He was Weyburn’s Rookie Of The Year in 2006-07 and played in the CJAHL Prospects Game. He was named to the Sherwood Conference All-Star Team and wears a letter with the Wings, further showing what his leadership means to the club. Off the ice, Shupe attained a 95% average in high school and received the Weyburn Comprehensive School Douglas Medal for academics and was named one of the Greystone Scholar--U of S academic awards. He scored 1690 on his SAT and is focused on pursuing a career in hockey at the university level.

GRAHAM CHRISTIE MEMORIAL AWARD (Leadership)


Winner: Russell Nielsen, Humboldt Broncos

Nielsen is a four year Bronco, who has a natural ability to compete at a high level and showcases a ‘win at all costs’ mentality/approach. This year’s captain of the Broncos; Nielsen led by example through playing despite injuries and not relenting in practice with a tremendous work ethic. Named to the SJHL All-Star Game, Nielsen was also an SJHL 2nd Team All-Star this season. A tireless worker, who can usually be found in the gym when not at the rink, Nielsen maintains a job, school, and numerous volunteer hours for the Broncos.


MEDIA OF THE YEAR: Troy Kramm, Weyburn This Week

A native of Milestone SK, Kramm does numerous articles each week—often accompanied by photos. He seldom misses a home game and attends numerous road games as well. The Red Wing website has been overhauled recently and Kramm deserves a lot of the credit for its new, highly interesting content. In fact, other junior teams have contacted Troy about specialty services for their websites. Troy is also the official webmaster, co-writer, and founder of the Weyburn Red Wing Blog. Troy goes about his tasks with high quality, high efficiency, and a great deal of enthusiasm. He also had an article on Wing Head Coach Dwight McMillan appear in the SJHL All-Star Game Program.


SJHL 1ST TEAM ALL-STARS

Goal - Ilia Ejov - Melfort Mustangs

Defense - Blair Toms, Nipawin Hawks
Defense - Kyle Haines, Weyburn Red Wings

Center - Jordie Johnston, La Ronge Ice Wolves
Right wing - Ryan Sawka, Kindersley Klippers
Left wing - Brett Leedahl, Kindersley Klippers

SJHL 2ND TEAM ALL-STARS

Goal - Taylor Nelson, Humboldt Broncos

Defense - Kealin Wong, Estevan Bruins
Defense - Russell Nielsen, Humboldt Broncos

Center - Jordan Schindel, Humboldt Broncos
Right wing - Reid MacLeod, Flin Flon Bombers
Left wing - Torrie Dyck, Nipawin Hawks

SJHL ALL ROOKIE TEAM

Goal - AJ Whiffen, Weyburn Red Wings

Defense - Tommy Brown, Melfort Mustangs
Defense - Jesse Lebreton, Battlefords North Stars

Center - Brody Haygarth, Estevan Bruins
Right Wing - Travis Janke, Notre Dame Hounds
Left wing - Rylan Schwartz, Notre Dame Hounds

SJHL Coach of the Year will be announced on Friday.

At this time I would like to take the opportunity to congratulate all winners and nominees and in particular those people involved with the Weyburn Red Wings organization - Dwight McMillan, AJ Whiffen, Kyle Haines, Preston Shupe and Troy Kramm - Congrats to you all on well deserved honors.

I would like to personally thank Troy for all his hard work with the Red Wings website, this blog and his top notch coverage in Weyburn This Week. (no he did not pay me to say this Ha Ha).

- Brad M.