Photo – Target Photography:
The Canalta Hotels AJHL Player of the Week is Jesse Zaharichuk of the Sherwood Park Crusaders. Zaharichuk scored 6 points (1G, 5A) in two games played last week to extend his current streak to 14 points in 6 games.
Jesse Zaharichuk recorded 3 assists in a divisional battle versus the Bonnyville Pontiacs on Friday night, then notched 1 goal and 1 assist in a 4-1 win over the Pontiacs in the rematch on Saturday. Jesse has compiled five consecutive multi-point games. He is the fourth Crusaders player to receive the Canalta Hotels AJHL Player of the Week award in the 2016-17 season.
The 19 year-old right winger joined his hometown Crusaders in December 2016 after beginning the season with the Lethbridge Hurricanes of the WHL. Since joining the Cru, Jesse has tallied 17 points (6G, 11A) in 20 games and is averaging .9 points per game.
The Crusaders sit 5th in the Viterra AJHL North Division with 10 regular season games remaining.
Brooks Bandits goaltender Mitchel Benson is the Alberta Ford Dealers AJHL Defensive Player of the Week. Through the week of February 6th – 12th, Benson posted a 3-0 record including 2 shutout victories. Benson stopped 70 of 71 shots over the three games with a .33 GAA.
Benson, 19, opened the week with a 4-0 shutout win versus the Camrose Kodiaks on Tuesday, followed by an 11-1 victory over the Drumheller Dragons on Friday. He wrapped up the weekend with a second straight win over the Dragons in a 6-0 shutout victory Saturday night.
Mitchel Benson (Windsor, ON) leads the AJHL in numerous categories, including most wins (31), fewest losses (2), most shutouts (6), lowest GAA (1.68) and highest saver percentage (.931%). This is Benson’s third Alberta Ford Dealers AJHL Defensive Player of the Week selection in the 2016-17 season.
The Brooks Bandits have clinched first spot in the Viterra AJHL South Division and have 9 games remaining in the regular season.
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:
• 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:
• 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