Anthony Paskaruk to be inducted into Bandits Wall of Fame on Friday

BROOKS, AB (September 17, 2017) – The Brooks Bandits of the Alberta Junior Hockey League (AJHL) will induct Anthony Paskaruk (Airdrie, AB) into the team’s Smith Group Wall of Fame in a pre-game ceremony on Friday night, it was announced at last night’s home opener.

Paskaruk, 23, will become the second inductee into the Wall of Fame after goaltender Chad Johnson was inducted last year. He is the all-time leader in games played in Brooks Bandits history, having suited up for 281 regular season games, and 357 games total including playoffs.

“I am personally excited to have a recent alumnus back in Brooks for a Wall of Fame ceremony,” said Bandits head coach and general manager Ryan Papaioannou. “Anthony is our all time games played leader which is a record that will most likely stand forever. I was fortunate enough to spend 5 years working with and watching him mature as a hockey player and person.”

In that lengthy span as a Bandit, Paskaruk recorded 190 points (68 goals, 122 assists), ranking third on the franchise’s all-time points list and second in assists.

He was a part of both of the Bandits’ first AJHL championship teams, in 2011-12 and 2012-13, and its national championship run in the latter campaign. He won the Top Scorer award at the 2013 RBC Cup in Summerside, PEI, recording 9 points (3 goals, 6 assists) in 6 games, and won the AJHL’s Don McNabb Memorial Trophy as Most Dedicated Player in the 2013-14 season.

“During his 5 seasons Anthony helped lay the groundwork for the future success of the organization and was instrumental in building our culture,” Papaioannou added. “His list of achievements while in Brooks is quite long and we are proud to recognize his dedication to the organization on Friday.”

Paskaruk is currently suiting up for Northern Michigan University in his third season of NCAA Division I hockey, and will make the trip back to Brooks and be in attendance for the pre-game ceremony on Friday, as the Bandits will take on the Calgary Mustangs in their third game of the season beginning at 7:00 PM.

Tickets for Anthony Paskaruk Night are on sale now online at tickets.brooksbandits.ca, by phone at (403) 501-0122, or in person at the CRA.