CARROT RIVER — The Carrot River Outback Thunder played some of their best hockey of the 2017-18 campaign in the post-season.
After going 16-16-8 in the regular season to finish fifth in the Bob Dybvig Division, the Outback Thunder made it to the Prairie Junior Hockey League’s divisional semifinals. They beat the Saskatoon Westleys in a Survivor Series and then battled the top-seeded Saskatoon Quakers before losing 4-2. Hometown veteran goalie Kolton Holmen stood out during the playoff. His and the team’s post-season success were among the season’s highlights that were celebrated at the team’s annual awards night April 28 at the local arena.
“Being a 20-year-old and on the team for as long as he has been, the job to start in playoffs was his,” said Trevor Logan, Carrot River’s head coach. “Despite a few off nights where the team was able to pick him up, once he got rolling he kept us in games every night and gave us a chance to win. You need your goalie to do that in playoffs especially against a high-powered team like the Quakers. Kolton was able to make the big saves most games when we needed him to keep us in a game or kill a penalty.”
Holmen greatly enjoyed his team’s playoff run. The best part?
“I think just having success even though we were considered to be the underdog,” said 20-year-old goalie. “I don’t think the regular season standings really reflected our team but we showed up in playoffs and had two really good series. The intensity and speed really picked up in the playoffs and it was good hockey to be a part of.”
The Playoff MVP award was one of three honours Holmen received. He also won the Top Goalie and Community Service awards for the second straight seasons.
Austin Linnen of Raymore was named the team’s Most Valuable Player. He and Birch Hills’ Kyle Njaa tied for the Top Scorer award with 46 points. Njaa led the Outback Thunder with 24 goals. Linnen had a team-high 27 assists in 40 games.
“Austin has barely missed a game in two years and has contributed on the scoresheet as much as anyone in those two years,” Logan said. “He has also come a long ways in playing a better two-way game and played on our penalty kill regularly. He just seems to make an impact just about every night, even if offensively he was struggling a bit.”
The 19-year-old forward said it mean a lot to be named MVP.
“It felt good to be recognized from the coaches,” Linnen said. “I felt very honoured to receive this award as there are many other deserving teammates who could’ve easily received it.”
Defenceman Travis Pfeil of Naicam was selected as the Rookie of the Year. He had eight points in 35 games. Fellow defenman Tysen Rachkewich of Rose Valley was the Most Improved Player. Blue liner Ethan Rheaume was the Best Defenceman. The St. Brieux product had 19 points in 36 games.
The Outback Thunder’s two 21-year-old players – Layne Cay and Nick Peterson – were the recipients of the Coaches Award. Cay, a defenceman from Kinistino, played parts of four seasons for the Outback Thunder. Peterson, who’s from Nipawin, suited up for parts of five seasons and was the team captain the last two years.
“Neither were ever real vocal guys in the room or on the bench, but what you do get from both is guys that will fight through injuries to stay playing, blocking shots with any part of their body, and just pure grit and hard work every night,” Logan said. “When your older guys play that way the rest usually follow and they don’t need to say a bunch. Their work ethic and commitment to the team will be tough to replace.”
The 21-year-olds enjoyed playing for the Outback Thunder.
“There are lots of memories you make playing four years of junior hockey - the best ones would be all the lifelong friends I have made and their families, the road trips on the bus, and the ones from Kinistino with the boys in the truck,” Cay said. “Stepping on the ice to ‘Hells Bells’ and just being a part of a group that is way bigger than yourself. The last few years being an older guy on the team I liked to try and be a role model for the young guys and make them proud to have me as a leader. And just being able to play the game I love so much it was some of the best times of my life.”
At the awards night, Cay was presented with a clock in honour of playing more than 100 games for the Outback Thunder. Equipment manager Jamie Cragg received a clock in recognition of his dedication to the team. A moment of silence was held for the 16 lives lost in the Humboldt Broncos bus crash. Among those who passed away was Carrot River’s Glen Doerksen. The bus driver was a former Outback Thunder board member and was a linesman in the team’s early days.
