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The Canalta Hotels AJHL Player of the Week is Drayton Valley Thunder forward Marc-Antoine Benoit. The 18 year-old recorded 6 points (3 goals, 3 assists) in two games last week and was selected as the Viterra AJHL Star of the Game in both Thunder victories.
Drayton Valley stole two consecutive games from the Fort McMurray Oil Barons last week, each ending in a 4-3 decision. Benoit scored a goal and one assist in the first game on February 14th. The following night, he contributed to all four Thunder goals with 2 goals, 2 assists, and scored the overtime winner.
In 34 AJHL games this season, Benoit has recorded 16 goals and 18 assists for 34 points. Marc-Antoine was acquired from the Whitecourt Wolverines in November 2017 and has acquired 29 points in 31 games since joining the Thunder.
The Drayton Valley Thunder are currently last in the Viterra AJHL North Division Standings, and sit nine points back of the final playoff spot with six games remaining.
For the third time this season, Brooks Bandits goaltender Mitchel Benson has been selected as the Alberta Ford Dealers AJHL Defensive Player of the Week. Benson was outstanding last week, with a perfect 3-0 record, a shutout, and a .983 SV%.
Benson allowed just 2 goals in three games over the week of February 12th – 18th, and posted a .33 GAA. He opened the week with an 11-1 win over the Calgary Canucks on Tuesday, then entered the weekend with a 5-1 win over the Grande Prairie Storm on Friday. Benson shut down the Whitecourt Wolverines with a 2-0 shutout on Saturday, turning away all 26 shots on goal.
Mitchel Benson, 20, has lost just one game in his last 14 starts. His 2.14 GAA ranks second overall in the AJHL, and he leads all goaltenders with 5 shutouts and 3,134 minutes played. Besnon has committed to Colgate University (NCAA Division I) for the 2018-2019 season.
The Brooks Bandits are 9-1-0 in their last 10 games, and are currently second in the Viterra AJHL South Division with six games remaining.
Canalta Hotels AJHL Player of the Week Recipients:
• Ty Readman, Sherwood Park Crusaders: September 15-17, 2017
• Jordan Taupert, Drumheller Dragons: September 18-24, 2017
• Kyle Gordon, Okotoks Oilers: September 25 – October 1, 2017
• Colton Young, Canmore Eagles: October 2-8, 2017
• Will Conley, Fort McMurray Oil Barons: October 9-15, 2017
• Ty Readman, Sherwood Park Crusaders: October 16-22, 2017
• Dennis Cesana, Brooks Bandits: October 23-29, 2017
• PJ Marrocco, Bonnyville Pontiacs: October 30-November 5, 2017
• PJ Marrocco, Bonnyville Pontiacs: November 6-12, 2017
• Brady Barclay, Calgary Mustangs: November 13-19, 2017
• Edouard Michaud, Grande Prairie Storm: November 20-26, 2017
• Austin Parmiter, Spruce Grove Saints: November 27-December 3
• Ben Sanderson, Okotoks Oilers: December 4-10, 2017
• Kyler Kupka, Camrose Kodiaks: December 11-20, 2017
• Connor Blake, Grande Prairie Storm: December 29, 2017-January 7, 2018
• Chris Van Os-Shaw, Spruce Grove Saints: January 8-14, 2018
• Parker Saretsky, Spruce Grove Saints: January 15-21, 2018
• Lanner Laderoute, Okotoks Oilers: January 22-28, 2018
• Curtis Roach, Fort McMurray Oil Barons: January 29-February 4, 2018
• Will Conley, Fort McMurray Oil Barons: February 5-11, 2018
• Marc-Antoine Benoit, Drayton Valley Thunder: February 12-18, 2018
Alberta Ford Dealers AJHL Defensive Player of the Week:
• Thomas Davis, Canmore Eagles: September 15-17, 2017
• Dennis Cesana, Brooks Bandits: September 18-24, 2017
• Hunter Virostek, Drumheller Dragons: September 25 – October 1, 2017
• Nolan Kent, Spruce Grove Saints: October 2-8, 2017
• Caiden Kreitz, Calgary Canucks: October 9-15, 2017
• Xavier Potvin, Whitecourt Wolverines: October 16-22, 2017
• Mitchel Benson, Brooks Bandits: October 23-29, 2017
• Joey May, Calgary Mustangs: October 30-November 5, 2017
• Griffin Bowerman, Camrose Kodiaks: November 6-12, 2017
• Riley Morris, Okotoks Oilers: November 13-19, 2017
• Erik Gordon, Grande Prairie Storm: November 20-26, 2017
• Logan Dyck, Canmore Eagles: November 27-December 3
• Mitchel Benson, Brooks Bandits: December 4-10, 2017
• Travis Verveda, Canmore Eagles: December 11-20, 2017
• Chris Curr, Fort McMurray Oil Barons: December 29, 2017-January 7, 2018
• Dennis Cesana, Brooks Bandits: January 8-14, 2018
• Xavier Potvin, Whitecourt Wolverines: January 15-21, 2018
• Bailey Brkin, Lloydminster Bobcats: January 22-28, 2018
• Luke Lush, Camrose Kodiaks: January 29-February 4, 2018
• Curtis Roach, Fort McMurray Oil Barons: February 5-11, 2018
• Mitchel Benson, Brooks Bandits: February 12-18, 2018