The Alberta Junior Hockey League, in partnership with RBC, is pleased to announce the recipients of four major league awards for the 2023-24 AJHL Season, including Most Valuable Player, Top Forward, Outstanding Defenceman and Top Goaltender.
The award winners are determined through three stages of voting by the General Managers and Coaches of the Alberta Junior Hockey League.
Most Valuable Player (Alberta Old Time Hockey Players Trophy) & Top Forward Award
The 2023-24 AJHL Most Valuable Player (MVP) and recipient of the Top Forward Award is Luka Sukovic of the Bonnyville Pontiacs.
The Clarkson University (NCAA) commit captured the 2023-24 AJHL Leading Goal Scorer Award with 35 goals and ended the regular season tied for third overall in the AJHL with 67 points (35G, 32A).
“Luka came in this season and has been the ideal teammate and player,” stated Pontiacs Associate General Manager Neil Langridge. “He wasn’t happy with how last year’s season went and he spent the entire off season dedicated to his craft. This season has been a testament to his hard work and dedication and now this acknowledgment from the other AJHL teams solidifies his success. We are proud of all his achievements and especially his commitment to Clarkson University.”
The 2003-born centre earned recognition as the Alberta Ford Dealers AJHL Player of the Month in January 2024, the Pizza 73 AJHL Player of the Week in February 2024, and was also selected as the Viterra AJHL Star of the Game seven times this season.
The AJHL Top Forward Award, introduced in the 2021-2022 season, recognizes the forward who demonstrates the greatest all-round ability in the position throughout the season.
- 2023-2024 MVP Award Finalists: Luka Sukovic – Bonnyville Pontiacs, Vann Yuhas – Drumheller Dragons, Caden Cabana – Lloydminster Bobcats, Ben Charette – Whitecourt Wolverines.
- 2022-2023 MVP Award Winner: Aiden Fink – Brooks Bandits
- 2023-2024 Top Forward Award Finalists: Luka Sukovic – Bonnyville Pontiacs, Bowden Singleton – Calgary Canucks, Vann Yuhas – Drumheller Dragons, Caden Cabana – Lloydminster Bobcats
- 2022-2023 Top Forward Award Winner: Aiden Fink – Brooks Bandits
Top Goaltender (Friends of Alberta Junior Hockey League Trophy)
Ben Charette of the Whitecourt Wolverines is the recipient of the Friends of AJHL Trophy as the Top Goaltender for the 2023-24 season. The annual award is presented to the goalie who demonstrated the greatest ability in his position throughout the season.
The Harvard University (NCAA) commit led the AJHL in goals against average (2.40 GAA) and save percentage (.925%). Charette had four shutouts and a record of 20-9-4-1 in his second and final season as a Wolverine. He was also selected as the Alberta Ford Dealers AJHL Player of the Month in November 2023.
“Ben came to our team focused on helping the Wolverines and himself – he has accomplished a lot in the last year and a half while overcoming injuries along the way,” stated Wolverines General Manager and Head Coach Shawn Martin. “This is a very well deserved honour for Ben after also achieving his dream of committing to play NCAA Division I Hockey next season.”
Charette (2003) was a finalist for the 2023-24 AJHL MVP Award and was the recipient of the 2023-24 CCM Top Team Goaltenders Award alongside teammates Lukas Renaud and Nicholas Avakyan. The Top Team Goaltenders Award is presented annually to the goaltenders of the team with the lowest goals against average (GAA) in the regular season. The Wolverines allowed 152 goals against with a 2.66 GAA and the goaltending trio combined for a league leading seven shutouts in the regular season.
The Wolverines completed the 2023-24 campaign as Regular Season Champions with a record of 34-18-4-1 and 73 points in an abbreviated 57-game schedule.
- 2023-2024 Award Finalists: Bodee Weiss – Bonnyville Pontiacs, Julian Molinaro – Calgary Canucks, Jack Solomon – Lloydminster Bobcats, Ben Charette – Whitecourt Wolverines
- 2022-2023 Award Winner: Connor Mackenzie – Grande Prairie Storm
Outstanding Defenceman (W.G. (Bill) Scott Memorial Trophy) Presented by the Alberta Ford Dealers
Brody Mortensen of the Canmore Eagles is the Alberta Junior Hockey League’s Outstanding Defenceman and recipient of the W.G. (Bill) Scott Memorial Trophy. The award recognizes the defensive player who demonstrates the greatest all-round ability in the position throughout the season.
The 2004 blueliner and Lindenwood University (NCAA) commit was fourth in scoring among AJHL defencemen with 34 points (12G, 22A) in his second campaign with the Eagles. Mortensen was twice awarded as the Alberta Ford Dealers AJHL Defensive Plyer of the Week for his shut-down play and offensive capabilities.
“The Eagles were fortunate to have two defencemen worthy of this award this season in Brody Martensen and Brody Tallman,” said Eagles General Manager and Head Coach Andrew Milne. “They played high end minutes against the league’s top players each night and both represented the Eagles to the highest standard.”
“Brody Mortensen’s dedication, determination, and exceptional skill on the ice have earned him this recognition from his opponents. Winning AJHL Defenceman of the Year is a testament to his hard work and commitment to excellence. Brody has proven himself to be a leader both on and off the ice and we’re incredibly proud of his achievement.”
- 2023-2024 Award Finalists: JR Ashmead – Bonnyville Pontiacs, Easton Hewson – Calgary Canucks, Brody Mortensen – Canmore Eagles, Ryan Henderson – Drumheller Dragons
- 2022-2023 Award Winner: Caleb MacDonald – Whitecourt Wolverines
The annual awards for AJHL Rookie of the Year, Most Dedicated Player and Coach of the Year will be announced on Thursday, March 14th.
The 2024 Inter Pipeline Cup AJHL Playoffs begin Friday, March 15th. At the conclusion of the 2023-24 regular season, the top five teams automatically advanced to the 2024 Inter Pipeline Cup AJHL Playoffs, while the bottom six teams competed in a best of five play-in series. The winners of each play-in series have now advanced to fill spots six through eight in the opening round of the AJHL Playoffs. Round One of the Inter Pipeline Cup AJHL Playoffs is a best-of-seven series with the top seed playing the lowest remaining seed (1vs8, 2vs7, 3vs6, 4vs5).