ESTEVAN, SK (May 6, 2016) – After making Western Canada Cup history as the tournament’s first-ever 4-0 team, the Brooks Bandits were called to the podium more than any other team at the event’s annual awards banquet on Friday night, capturing half of the twelve awards handed out.
Bandits forward Ty Mappin (Big Valley, AB) was the first called up, sharing the tournament’s Top Scorer award with West Kelowna Warriors forward Brett Mennear. Mappin was officially credited with 2 goals and a tournament-leading 4 assists in the 4-game round robin stage.
Alternate captain Jeff Malott (Waterdown, ON) was named the tournament’s Top Forward after registering 4 points (3 goals, 1 assist) in just 3 games, including the game-winning goal in the Bandits’ 3-0 win over the Melfort Mustangs, and the shorthanded insurance goal in the team’s opening 4-2 win over West Kelowna.
Garret Hughson (Foremost, AB) was named the tournament’s Top Goaltender after posting a sterling 3-0 record alongside a 1.67 goals against average and .938 save percentage, including his fifth post-season shutout since joining the Bandits.
The annual six-man All-Tournament Team also featured three Bandits. Hughson took the goaltender’s spot, while Malott was named one of the three forwards. Finally, Bandit rookie defenceman Cale Makar (Calgary, AB) was named an All-Tournament defenceman, after scoring 7 points (1 goal, 6 assists) in the round robin portion (Makar was officially credited with 1 goal and 4 assists).
The Bandits will take on the BCHL champion West Kelowna Warriors in the WCC Championship game on Saturday night at 7:00 PM, attempting to become the first-ever AJHL team to win the tournament. Pre-game coverage begins at 6:30 PM on the home of the Bandits, Q105.7.