With the SJHL and Saskatchewan Midget AAA Hockey League being out of action for the Christmas break it is time to hand out silverware and grades around the SJHL at what is considered the de facto midseason in the league, even if it is technically a couple of weeks late.
Grades
Yorkton Terriers (20-7-2-3): A+: The Terriers remain the best team in the SJHL even if they are technically behind Humboldt/Kindersley at the break. With goaltender Kale Thomson surprising everyone by turning into one of the league's best goalies and bringing in 2012/13 Rookie of the Year Brett Boehm, the Terriers are once again title favourites.
Melville Millionaires (20-8-2-2): A: Melville have came out of nowhere to challenge the Yorkton Terriers in the Viterra Division and have a nine point cushion for second behind the Terriers, which after building for last season and losing the majority of their star players deserves a ton of praise.
Estevan Bruins (15-13-2-3): C+: Despite having a new building in the Spectra Place, the Bruins can never seem to find their footing as a contender. They always seem to have the Terriers number so perhaps they are counting on a first round upset.
Weyburn Red Wings (12-17-2-2): C+: Moving on from legendary coach Dwight McMillan the Red Wings were expected to rebuild, no shame in where they are right now.
Humboldt Broncos (22-9-1-3) A+: Like the Terriers, the Broncos didn't just go all in on one run to the finals, they have steady success in Humboldt and are tied with Kindersley for the Kramer Division lead despite losing out on Alex Forsberg and Matt Hrynkiw in addition to Coyotes prospect Adam Antkowiak.
Kindersley Klippers (22-10-3-1): A+: Another A+ grade is deserving for the Klippers, who are the most surprising team in the league at the break, having more points than the Terriers (Kindersley played four more games).
Battlefords North Stars (18-16-0-2): B: Battlefords thought they would be battling it out with the Broncos atop of the division, but have had to settle for third thanks to the Klippers. As long as they can make some noise in the playoffs the North Stars won't be complaining.
Notre Dame Hounds (13-15-1-2) F: Their blowout loss before Christmas against the Terriers at the FAA explains why the Hounds are shockingly in the Kramer Division cellar, they have no heart.
Nipawin Hawks (15-12-0-3): B: Yes, the Hawks are first in the North and sitting attop the Sherwood Division, but that is mainly because the rest of the division is below .500. Nipawin will be counting on the weak Kramer not being a factor come playoff time.
Flin Flon Bombers (15-17-0-2) C+: Trading their top scorer in Brett Boehm to Yorkton being within striking distance of the division lead was headscratching, it was also throwing in the towel on their season.
La Ronge Ice Wolves: (15-17-1-0) B-: La Ronge are still rebuilding after being top in the league for so long, I am sure everyone else in the league is not complaining about not having to worry about the long bus ride to La Ronge from the south come playoff time.
Melfort Mustangs (12-15-1-5) C: The Mustangs weren't expected to be great, but they will disappointed in being in the cellar heading into 2014. The good news is only a handful of points separates the Mustangs from the Hawks in first place in the Kramer.
Awards:
League MVP: Devon McMullen- Yorkton Terriers: A slightly biased pick thanks to a hometown discount, but there really is no more deserving recipient than the Terriers long term captain who steadies the Yorkton Terriers back line and provides an offensive punch alongside the Norrish twins from the blueline. This award could also go to leading scorer Tad Kozun from the Nipawin Hawks, but at midseason McMullen is my selection for League MVP and if the Terriers wind up in first at the end of the season it would be the right move to hand him the award.
Top Forward: Tad Kozun- Nipawin Hawks: The likely candidate for League MVP, Tad Kozun is hands down the most complete forward in the SJHL this season, backing up a solid season in 2012/13 with league leading numbers as the Hawks sit atop of the Kramer Division. Kozun's 27 goals have him ahead of all other players by a wide margin and with 13 assists Kozun sits one atop of the pack in points with 40, edging out Austin Daae from the Estevan Bruins who has 39. Yorkton's Tayler Thompson could overtake this race if he can start adding goals to his staggering league leading 27 assists, but for now Kozun is deserving for Top Forward status until somebody takes the scoring crown from him.
Honourable Mention: Tayler Thompson- Yorkton Terriers, Austin Daae- Estevan Bruins.
Top Rookie: Landon Farrell- Melville Millionaires: You could easily pick four Millionaires players for this award simply because Coach/GM Jamie Fiesel has done such an excellent job recruiting talent to replace the Millionaires top scorers from last season with a loaded class of rookies that have Melville holding four of the top five rookies in scoring this season, but Farrell has the edge over the rest. Nine goals and 16 assists from Farrell put him second in the league in rookie scoring behind Mustangs rookie sensation Travis Mayan, but the Mils surprising second place spot earn Farrell the Top Rookie honours at Christmas over Mayan who is currently getting his numbers on a woeful last place Mustangs team in the weak Kramer Division.
Honourable Mention: Travis Mayan- Melfort Mustangs.
Top Rookie Goaltender: Ryland Pashovitz- Humboldt Broncos: With an undefeated regulation record and a 1.18 GAA you could make the argument that Pashovitz is the best goaltender in the SJHL right now, even if he is splitting time with Cade Spencer in between the pipes. For now Pashovitz will have to settle for being the best first year SJHL goaltender in a year where there are a lot of quality netminders making their mark in their first year in the league. Pashovitz' 11-0-3 record has earned the Broncos 25 out of a potential 28 points in his stars, which is an eye popping stat. That trend will likely end sooner rather than later, but for now it remains as an exciting storyline to follow heading into January.
Top Goalie: Kale Thomson- Yorkton Terriers: Leading the league in shutouts and starting 26 games in the first half of the season, Terriers goalie Kale Thomson is making the most of his opportunity as fulltime starter in goal following Dawson MacAuley's jump to the Regina Pats of the SJHL. Thomson, who was the Terriers starter to begin last season before MacAuley's star turn in the second half of the season, has given head coach Trent Cassan and his teammates everything they can ask for and more as the Terriers are once again well on their way to being one of the top teams in the league come playoff time. Thomson's 17-7-2 record and 1.79 record are a big part of that success.
Honourable Mention: Ryland Pashovitz- Humboldt Broncos
Top Coach: Jamie Fiesel- Melville Millionaires: While the Millionaires are still dark horses when it comes to winning their first SJHL title, there is no denying the job that their coach has done this season when it comes to rebuilding. After losing nearly two lines worth of Top 10 scorers from the 2012/13 season that ended with a heartbreaking Game 6 loss at home to the Terriers, Fiesel reloaded the Mils with talented rookies from the United States, a top notch goaltender in Isaiah Plett, and has the Mils exactly where they were last season. Not bad for a team that was expected to be battling with Weyburn to simply stay out of the Viterra Division cellar.
