Here is a roundup of items from around the SJHL.
The Canadian Junior Hockey League has announced their nominees for Top Defenceman and Top Goaltender honours and SJHL players are on both lists.
Flin Flon Bombers' Josh Roach was nominated in the defenceman category after finishing ninth in league scoring with 13 goals and 41 assists in 42 games.
Other defencemen nominated are Tanner Butler, Dauphin Kings, MJHL (60 GP, 7 G, 51 A, 58 PTS), Josh Healey, Sherwood Park Crusaders, AJHL (53 GP, 10 G, 13 A, 23 PTS), Patrick McCarron, St. Michael's Buzzers, OJHL (52 GP, 9 G, 49 A, 58 PTS) and Troy Stecher, Penticton Vees, BCHL (52 GP, 8 G, 39 A, 47 PTS).
In the goaltending category, Humboldt Broncos' Matt Hrynkiw was nominated after a season when he earned SJHL Goaltender of the Year honours for his 27 wins, six shutouts and a league-leading 1.83 goals against average.He also led the SJHL in save percentage and shutouts.
Other nominees are Paul Jr. Bourbeau, Collège Français de Longueuil, LHJAAAQ (39 GP, 30 W, 6L, 4 SO, .910 SV%, 2.42 GAA), Gordy Defiel, Minnesota Wilderness, SIJHL (28 GP, 25 W, 1 L, 2 SOL, 8 SO, 1.39 GAA, .945 SV%), Charlie Finn, Kingston Voyageurs, OJHL (39 GP, 25 W, 10 L, 4 SOL, 8 SO, 2.15 GAA, .941 SV%), and Michael Santiguida, Surrey Eagles, BCHL (42 GP, 29 W, 10 L, 3 T, 2 SO, 2.28 GAA, .933 SV%)
Winners will be announced the week of May 6.
In other league news, a trade was announced involving the Melfort Mustangs this week.
The Mustangs acquire forward Dexter Bricker as well as the CJHL rights to forward Teal Sobkowicz. This completes a Jan. 10 deal that sent defenceman Carter Berg to Nipawin. The Mustangs had acquired defenceman David Heath immediately in that trade.
Last year Bricker scored eight goals and notched seven assists in the league, while Sobkowicz played for the Prince Albert Mintos in midget AAA hockey.
Finally the search continued for new coaches and general managers in La Ronge, Estevan and Weyburn.
According to the SJHL's website, the teams are all reporting they have been flooded with interest in the positions and are beginning the process of narrowing down the field of candidates. La Ronge has reportedly narrowed down their choice to four candidates and Estevan expects to begin interviewing their shortlisted candidates in May.
As for Weyburn, their interviews are done and an announcement is expected this week.
The vacancies came about following the departures of Dwight McMillan (Weyburn), Keith Cassidy (Estevan) and Bob Beatty (La Ronge) this past season.
