The Alberta Junior Hockey League, in partnership with RBC, is pleased to announce the winners of the 2023-24 Rookie of the Year, Most Dedicated Player and Coach of the Year.
Rookie of the Year (Dick White Trophy)
Whitecourt Wolverines forward Joey Melo is the recipient of the Dick White Trophy as AJHL Rookie of the Year for the 2023-24 season. The 2005-born forward led all AJHL rookies with 22 goals and was second among first year players with 43 points (22G, 21A). Joey Melo’s 22 goals as a rookie set a new Wolverines franchise record.
“Joey has been a key part of our lineup almost since the day he arrived, he has the ability to make players around him better,” said Wolverines General Manager and Head Coach Shawn Martin. “Joey has been as impactful as any other first year player that has come though our program in recent history. We are very proud to see him receive this recognition.”
With 43 points, Melo ranked in the Top 20 of AJHL skaters and his six game winning goals was the most of all AJHL rookies this season.
The Whitecourt Wolverines captured the Dave Duchak Trophy as the 2023-24 Alberta Junior Hockey League Regular Season Champions for the first time in franchise history.
- 2023-2024 Award Finalists: Dante Siciliano – Bonnyville Pontiacs, Gavin Garland – Calgary Canucks, Jack Solomon – Lloydminster Bobcats, Joey Melo – Whitecourt Wolverines
- 2022-2023 Award Winner: Nicolas Beaudoin – Bonnyville Pontiacs
Most Dedicated Player (Don McNabb Memorial Trophy)
The winner of the Don McNabb Memorial Trophy as Most Dedicated Player is Bonnyville Pontiacs forward and University of Alaska Fairbanks commit Nicolas Beaudoin. The award is presented annually to the player voted as the most dedicated to his team.
The Pontiacs Captain completed the season tied for eighth overall in the AJHL Scoring Race with 56 points (23G, 33A) and a league leading eight game winning goals. Beaudoin (St Paul, AB) had 16 multi-point games and has now recorded 132 career points in 126 games played as a Pontiac.
“For the first time in Pontiacs history, we have won the Most Dedicated Player Award in back-to-back seasons,” said Pontiacs Associate General Manager Neil Langridge. “Selecting our Captain Nico Beaudoin was the clear choice as it is crucial that you not only nominate a player that is deserving of the award, but also has the respect of his peers and the other member teams.”
“Nico has been a warrior for us since day one of his first training camp, to winning the AJHL Rookie of the Year last season, to leading the Pontiacs this year and now being recognized for his efforts. We are very pleased to see Nico be acknowledged with this honour.”
- 2023-2024 Award Finalists: Nicolas Beaudoin – Bonnyville Pontiacs, Blake Setter – Lloydminster Bobcats, Cade Moxham – Olds Grizzlys, Dylan Leslie – Whitecourt Wolverines
- 2022-2023 Award Winner: Trey Funk – Bonnyville Pontiacs
Coach of the Year
For a second consecutive season, the AJHL Coach of the Year is Whitecourt Wolverines General Manager and Head Coach Shawn Martin. The Whitecourt Wolverines captured the Dave Duchak Trophy as the Alberta Junior Hockey League Regular Season Champions for the first time in franchise history.
Wolverines Co-Captains Dylan Leslie and Colby Browne expressed appreciation for their Head Coach, “He holds his players to a high standard, which brings a hard working and winning mindset to the team. No matter what he has to work with, you can’t count out his teams as contenders.”
The Wolverines completed the 2023-24 campaign with a record of 34-18-4-1 and 73 points in an abbreviated 57-game schedule. The team also led the AJHL in wins (34), fewest goal against (152), shutouts (7) and penalty kill (83.6%).
Shawn Martin first joined the Wolverines as an Assistant Coach in 2017-18 before taking over as GM / Head Coach in 2019-20. Prior to joining the Wolverines, the 46-year-old was an Assistant Coach with the St Albert Steel, Grande Prairie Storm and Sherwood Park Crusaders of the AJHL as well as Head Coach for the LaRonge Ice Wolves (SJHL).
- 2023-2024 Award Finalists: Brad Moran – Calgary Canucks, Kevin Hasselberg – Drumheller Dragons, Brad Rihela – Lloydminster Bobcats, Shawn Martin – Whitecourt Wolverines
- 2022-2023 Award Winner: Shawn Martin – Whitecourt Wolverines
The award winners for Rookie of the Year, Most Dedicated Player and Coach of the Year are determined through three stages of voting by the General Managers and Coaches of the Alberta Junior Hockey League.
The winners of the following league awards and scholarships will also be announced throughout the 2024 Inter Pipeline Cup AJHL Playoffs.
- Viterra All-League and All-Rookie Team
- Inter Pipeline AJHL All-Academic Team
- Viterra Star of the Game Standings Leader – Viterra Cup
- AJHL Executive of the Year – Ken Bracko Award
- Viterra Salute to Service Volunteer Award
- Inter Pipeline AJHL Scholarship
- RBC Community Ambassador Scholarship
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).
2024 Playoff Schedule & Live Bracket
