Carter Savoie, Sherwood Park (AJHL); Kent Johnson, Trail (BCHL); Brodie MacArthur, Summerside (MHL); Caleb Serre, Blind River (NOJHL) & Harrison Israels, Oakville Blades up for the accolades
CALGARY, Alta. ? The Canadian Junior Hockey League released Thursday the names of the five individuals who have been selected finalists for the CJHL?s Top Forward Award in 2019-20.
Each of the nominees were determined through a voting process completed by each of the CJHL?s 10-member leagues, for their respective efforts during the course of the regular season.
The following are the five nominees for the CJHL?s Top Forward of 2019-20, which are listed alphabetically, by league.
Carter Savoie, Sherwood Park Crusaders (AJHL)
Savoie led the AJHL in goals with 53, accomplishing the feat in just in 54 games. ? He finished second in AJHL scoring with 99 points. ? Savoie was the highest ranked CJHL player, 52nd overall among North American skaters, in the NHL Central Scouting?s mid-term draft rankings. ? From there he improved to 50th overall in the final NHLCS draft rankings released earlier this month. ? Was selected to participate in the 2020 CJHL Prospects Game in January. ? He was a member of Team Canada West at the 2019 World Junior A Challenge in December and Team AJHL at the 2019 Junior Club World Cup in Russia last August. ? Savoie has committed to the University of Denver in the NCAA (Division-I) for the 2021-22 season. ? Named to the AJHL?s North Division All-League Team.
With files from: Charla Flett, Vice-President, Communications (AJHL)
Kent Johnson, Trail Smoke Eaters (BCHL)
There is no doubt that Kent Johnson was the BCHL?s Most Valuable Player in 2019-20. ? He led the league in points by an impressive 30-point separation to the league?s second-highest scorer. ? At 17 years old, Johnson dominated the BCHL on a nightly basis with highlight reel goals. Due to his representing the BCHL as a member of Team Canada West at the World Junior A Challenge, Johnson missed six games this season, with Trail going 2-4-0 in his absence, but 34-13-2-3 with him in the Smoke Eaters? lineup. ? Among the league honours Johnson earned this season was BCHL MVP, the Leading Scorer and Most Sportsmanlike Player awards. ? Final stats: GP: 52; G: 41; A: 60; PTS: 101; PTS/G: 1.94; GWG: 8
With files from: Jesse Adamson, Coordinator, Content Services (BCHL)
Brodie MacArthur, Summerside Western Capitals (MHL)
Summerside Western Capitals forward Brodie MacArthur was selected as the Maritime Junior Hockey League?s (MHL) Player of the Year for a second consecutive season. ? The 20-year-old captain from Summerside, P.E.I., had a season to remember, becoming the league?s all-time leading scorer back on February 27. ? His 108 total points in 2019-20 give him 357 for the MHL career. ? He was named 1st Star of the Month in the MHL for October and January, in addition to a 2nd Star selection in November. The CJHL named him the Gong Show Gear 1st Star of the Month for January. ? MacArthur led the MHL with a 2.12 point-per-game average, 45 goals, seventeen powerplay tallies, and game-winning goals with 11. ? His 63 assists were second-most, and his 30 powerplay points were third-highest. ? He was held pointless in just three games. ? MacArthur went on an incredible run from October 10 to December 8, scoring 48 points in 20 games, including fourteen straight match-ups with at least one goal. ? His single-game high in 2019-20 came on January 16th where he posted a hat trick, including two on the powerplay, while supplying the game-winner and chipping with four assists.
With files from: James Faulkner, Director of Communications (MHL)
Caleb Serre Blind River Beavers (NOJHL)
Serre had a tremendous year for Blind River, leading all NOJHL skaters in goals (47); assists (66); points (113); power play tallies (17); man advantage helpers (26) and game-winning goals (10). ? Was named the NOJHL?s Most Valuable Player and selected a first team league all-star at forward. ? Produced 16 games where he registered three or more points, including six with at least five. ? Had a run of nine consecutive outings with at least one goal. ? Was named NOJHL Player of the Month on four separate occasions. ?. Earned one of the league?s 3 Stars of the Week six different times during the campaign. ? Was also named one of the CJHL?s 3 Stars of the Month for November. ? Wrapping up his final year of Jr. A hockey, Serre played in 210 regular season contests in the NOJHL while collecting 269 points on 117 goals while helping set-up 152 others along the way.
With files from: David Harrison, Historian (NOJHL)
Harrison Israels, Oakville Blades (OJHL)
Israels capped off his two-year OJHL career with an 86-point season (29 goals / 57 assists). ? He led Oakville in points and the OJHL in assists while being tied for first place for the OJHL Top Scorer Award. ? Was named OJHL Player of the Month for September 2019 and was selected a league All-Star for the 2019-2020 season. ? As an assistant captain, he led the Blades to a second straight 1st place finish in the West Division. ? In his first year with Oakville he propelled his team not only to a Buckland Cup Championship (scoring 16 points) but a Dudley-Hewitt Cup title (collecting four points in three games), helping send Oakville to play for the National Jr. A Championship (tallying another four points). ? Israels will be playing NCAA D-I college hockey at the University of Alaska-Fairbanks (WCHA) on scholarship.
With files from: Jim Mason, Director of Communications (OJHL)
Earning honourable mention for the CJHL Top Forward Award in 2019-20 were: Luke Grainger, Hawkesbury Hawks (CCHL); Alex Plamondon, Le Titan de Princeville (LHJAAAQ); Mikol Sartor, Winnipeg Blues (MJHL); Chantz Petruic, Yorkton Terriers (SJHL) & Cody Bruchkowski, Thunder Bay North Stars (SIJHL).