Ryland Pashovitz was named the SJHL's Rookie of the Year on March 24. The 18-year-old Saskatoon native burst onto the scene this year, posting an 18-8-3 record with five shutouts.
Pashovitz also recorded what is believed to be an SJHL record 1.60 goals-against-average to go with a .947 save percentage.
"We're proud of him," Broncos head coach Dean Brockman said. "He's a quality kid who got exactly what he deserved. We're really excited for him."
Pashovitz was reached less than an hour after the announcement and said he'd been receiving a bundle of text messages from family and friends. Winning the award was a matter of believing in himself and getting support from the rest of the team.
"I had confidence coming into the season, but the team helped a lot and the guys always supported me," Pashovitz said. "Dean [Brockman] helped me with my confidence throughout the year as well."
With the awards being announced in the middle of a playoff run, Pashovitz didn't have much time to reflect.
"I'm focusing on Yorkton right now," he said. "The goal is to win the entire league. The rookie of the year is another bonus."
The Humboldt Broncos were already without home-ice advantage against the Yorkton Terriers, but that disadvantage got worse when the team learned it will be playing in Warman for a potential Game 6, scheduled for April 6. The Elgar Petersen Arena will be hosting the Humboldt Sports and Leisure Show that night and the Broncos had to scramble to book the Legends Centre in Warman to make up for it.
It could have been worse. The original schedule for the series would have seen the Broncos play two games in Warman, but Game 4 was moved back a day (from April 3 to 2) and will now be played in Humboldt.
Here is the series schedule:
Game 1: March 28, Yorkton, 7:30
Game 2: March 30, Humboldt, 6:00
Game 3: April 1, Yorkton, 7:30
Game 4: April 2, Humboldt, 7:00
Game 5: April 4, Yorkton, 7:30*
Game 6: April 6, Warman, 7:30*
Game 7: April 8, Yorkton, 7:30*
* If necessary
