The final Canalta Hotels AJHL Player of the Week for the 2016-2017 season is defenceman Cale Makar of the Brooks Bandits. Makar closed out the season with 12 points (5G, 7A) in 4 games to help the Bandits earn four straight victories over South Division rivals.
Makar was recently named the 2016-2017 AJHL MVP and Outstanding Defenceman after compiling a 75 point season on the blueline. He finished the regular season at sixth spot in the AJHL Scoring Race and led all AJHL defencemen. Makar was selected as the Viterra AJHL Star of the Game ten times throughout the regular season.
The 18 year-old Calgarian is projected by NHL Central Scouting as a potential first round draft pick in the upcoming 2017 NHL Entry Draft. Makar is committed to the University of Massachusetts (NCAA Division I) to begin his NCAA hockey career.
By securing 1st place in the Viterra AJHL South Division, the Brooks Bandits guaranteed themselves a first round bye in the 2017 AJHL Gas Drive Playoffs.
The Alberta Ford Dealers AJHL Defensive Player of the Week is Spruce Grove Saints goaltender Brandon Wells. In two North Division battles last week, Wells posted a 2-0 record and allowed only 3 goals on 64 shots with a 1.5 GAA and .953 SV%.
Brandon Wells (Spirit River, AB) opened the week with a 5-1 victory over the Bonnyville Pontiacs, then followed up with a 4-2 win over the Lloydminster Bobcats. Since joining the team in January, the 19 year-old goalie has a record of 7-3-0 and 1.92GAA.
The Spruce Grove Saints completed the regular season with three consecutive wins and in third place in the Viterra AJHL North Division Standings. The Saints will meet the Drayton Valley Thunder (6) in Round One of the 2017 Gas Drive AJHL Playoffs.
A complete schedule for the 2017 AJHL Gas Drive Cup Playoffs is available on the AJHL website AJHL.ca. Each of the Round One divisional best-of-five series will begin on Thursday, March 9th.
The Alberta Junior Hockey League is proud to partner with Alberta Ford Dealers to recognize the AJHL Defensive Player of the Week in the 2016-2017 season:
Canalta Hotels AJHL Player of the Week Recipients:
• Cale Makar, Brooks Bandits: February 27–March 5, 2017
• Logan Ferguson, Canmore Eagles: February 20-26, 2017
• Cody Young, Drumheller Dragons: February 13-19, 2017
• Jesse Zaharichuk, Sherwood Park Crusaders: February 6-12, 2017
• Braden Saretsky, Canmore Eagles: January 30-February 5, 2017
• Landon Gross, Olds Grizzlys: January 23-29, 2017
• Oliver Chau, Brooks Bandits: January 16-22, 2017
• Michael Clarke, Grande Prairie Storm: January 9-15, 2017
• Oliver Chau, Brooks Bandits: December 30-January 8, 2017
• Ryley Smith, Olds Grizzlys: December 12-18, 2016
• Liam Motley, Whitecourt Wolverines: December 5-11, 2016
• Cale Makar, Brooks Bandits: November 28-December 4, 2016
• Bryson Traptow, Camrose Kodiaks: November 21-28, 2016
• Tanner Laderoute, Okotoks Oilers: November 14-20, 2016
• Tyler Maltby, Sherwood Park Crusaders: November 7-13, 2016
• Ryan Hartman, Camrose Kodiaks: October 31-November 6
• Jordan Taupert, Drumheller Dragons: October 24-30, 2016
• Ty Readman, Sherwood Park Crusaders: October 17-23, 2016
• Derek Brown, Bonnyville Pontiacs: October 10-16, 2016
• Matt Forchuk, Canmore Eagles: October 3–9, 2016
• Colby Livingstone, Canmore Eagles: September 26-October 1, 2016
• Tanner Younghans, Sherwood Park Crusaders: September 19–25, 2016
• Liam Motley, Camrose Kodiaks: September 16–18, 2016
Alberta Ford Dealers AJHL Defensive Player of the Week:
• Brandon Wells, Spruce Grove Saints: February 27–March 5, 2017
• Logan Drackett, Calgary Canucks: February 20-26, 2017
• Austin McGrath, Lloydminster Bobcats: February 13-19, 2017
• Mitchel Benson, Brooks Bandits: February 6-12, 2017
• Riley Morris, Okotoks Oilers: January 30-February 5, 2017
• Brett Stewart, Canmore Eagles: January 23-29, 2017
• Eric Szudor, Fort McMurray Oil Barons: January 16-22, 2017
• JC Thivierge, Fort McMurray Oil Barons: January 9-15, 2017
• Logan Drackett, Calgary Canucks: December 30-January 8, 2017
• Riley Morris, Okotoks Oilers: December 12-18, 2016
• Riley Morris, Okotoks Oilers: December 5-11, 2016
• Nolan Kent, Spruce Grove Saints: November 28-December 4, 2016
• Mitchel Benson, Brooks Bandits: November 21-28, 2016
• Jake Gresh, Bonnyville Pontiacs: November 14-20, 2016
• Logan Drackett, Calgary Canucks: November 7-13, 2016
• Pierce Diamond, Whitecourt Wolverines: October 31-November 6
• Mitchel Benson, Brooks Bandits: October 24-30, 2016
• Pierce Diamond, Whitecourt Wolverines: October 17-23, 2016
• Curtis Roach, Fort McMurray Oil Barons: October 10-16, 2016
• Arik Weersink, Grande Prairie Storm: October 3–9, 2016
• Patrick Gora, Camrose Kodiaks: September 26-October 1, 2016
• Dennis Cesana, Brooks Bandits: September 19–25, 2016
• Eric Szudor, Fort McMurray Oil Barons: September 16–18, 2016
