CALGARY, Alta. – The Canadian Junior Hockey League announced Wednesday the six finalists for its Top Defenceman Award, which is awarded annually and determined through voting by the 10 leagues that comprise the CJHL.
The finalists for the accolades are Cale Makar (Brooks Bandits – AJHL); Jake Stevens (Victoria Grizzlies – BCHL); Jonathan Phillion (Collège Français de Longueuil – LHJAAAQ); Brady Keeper (OCN Blizzard – MJHL); Brennan Roy (Cobourg Cougars – OJHL) and Eric Sinclair (Flin Flon Bombers – SJHL).
Listed below you will find information on each of the finalists:
AJHL: Cale Makar, Brooks Bandits: The Brooks’ blueliner was named AJHL MVP and the league’s top defenceman. … The 18-year-old from Calgary, Alta., is projected by NHL Central Scouting as a potential first round draft pick in the upcoming 2017 NHL Entry Draft as he was slotted ninth overall among North American skaters. … Had a 75-point season on the blueline for the AJHL champion Bandits. … Led all league D-men in scoring and was sixth in sixth overall among all skaters. .. Also served as captain of Canada West at the 2016 World Junior A Challenge and was selected to Team West for the 2017 CJHL Prospects Game. … Makar is currently committed to the NCAA Division I University of Massachusetts on scholarship to begin his NCAA hockey career.
With files from Charla Flett, Vice-President, Communications (AJHL)
BCHL: Jake Stevens, Victoria Grizzlies: Stevens elevated his game in his second BCHL season, amassing eight goals and 45 assists for 53 points while playing all 58 regular-season games. … He saw significant ice time for Victoria in all situations, yet spent a mere 14 minutes in the penalty box. … The 20-year-old D-man hails from Naperville, Ill. … The 6-foot-2, 205-pound blueliner’s play helped the Grizzlies to the Island Division title in the BCHL. … Stevens has received a scholarship to St. Lawrence University for 2017-18 where he will attend school and skate for the Saints’ men’s hockey program.
With files from Brent Mutis, Communications Director (BCHL)
LHJAAAQ: Jonathan Fillion, Collège Français de Longueuil: The veteran defenceman was an offensive force for his squad in 2016-17 while still providing top-end play in his own zone. … Eyed as a robust and intelligent player with an exceptional vision of the game, Fillion was selected as the most valuable player in the LHJAAAQ and also earned a place on the league all-star team. … Was also named defenceman of the year in the LHJAAAQ where he led all rearguards in not only his league but across the entire CJHL with an impressive 103 points in just 49 games on 30 goals and 73 assists. … 20-year-old hails from Ste-Catherine, Que.
With files from Julie Lapointe, Director of Communications (LHJAAAQ)
MJHL: Brady Keeper, OCN Blizzard: Keeper established himself as one of the premier players in the league that saw him earn two major MJHL awards. … He was awarded both the league MVP and Top Defenceman honours. … He was also named a first-team all-star blueliner helping OCN advance all the way to the MJHL’s Turnbull Trophy Finals. … He was twice selected the MJHL Defenceman of the Month as his play was a model of consistency at both ends of the ice. … Keeper led all MJHL defenceman in goals with a total of 23 and finished with 48 points in as many games. Keeper, 20, hails from Cross Lake, Man., and is also a positive role model for other Indigenous youth. His play has earned him a NCAA scholarship to the University of Maine next season.
With files from Brian Smiley, Media Relations Officer (MJHL)
OJHL: Brennan Roy, Cobourg Cougars: Skating for the RBC Cup-host Cobourg Cougars, Roy tied for the league scoring lead among blueliners with 57 points. … Picked up OJHL 1st Team All-Star honours. …The 20-year-old from Iroquois Falls, Ont., led all OJHL defencemen with 43 assists this season while also providing a stabilizing force in the defensive zone and logging heavy minutes on the blueline. … League North-East Conference Player-of-the-Month for October was a member of Team OJHL Oates at the Eastern Canada Cup All-Star Challenge and also suited up for the OJHL all-stars that played Canada East in a WJAC tune-up.
With files from Izak Westgate, Director of Operations (OJHL)
SJHL: Eric Sinclair – Flin Flon Bombers: Captured SJHL top defenceman honours for a second straight year. … Sinclair was a point-per-game performer in the league after starting the 2016-17 season with the Melfort Mustangs, who he helped lead to a Canalta Cup championship the year before. … Suiting up in a combined 46 contests with both Melfort and Flin Flon, the now 21-year-old from Kenora, Ont., registered 51 points, including 17 goals. .. He led all SJHL D-men in tallies, assists and points. … Sinclair will continue his hockey career in the NCAA this fall as he attends the University of Alaska-Anchorage in the fall on scholarship and play for the Seawolves.
With files from Mike Stackhouse, Communications (SJHL)
The CJHL would also like to recognize the four honourable mentions for its Top Defenceman Award:
- CCHL: Owen Grant – Carleton Place Canadians
- MHL: Michael Constantine – Miramichi Timberwolves
- NOJHL: Connor Lovie – Cochrane Crunch
- SIJHL: Trever Pereverzoff – English River Miners
ABOUT THE CJHL AWARDS VOTING PROCESS
?A candidate from each of the 10 leagues that comprise the CJHL was nominated by their respective leagues for each of the six national awards. The initial stage of the selection process saw representatives from each of the CJHL leagues rank their top five players from among the 10 national nominees. Rankings were then assigned a point value with the five-highest point-getters, and ties if determined, advancing as finalists to the concluding round of voting. The five finalists, and ties if determined, for each award come from either the AJHL, BCHL, CCHL, LHJAAAQ, MHL, MJHL, NOJHL, OJHL, SJHL or SIJHL.
The finalists, and ties if determined, for the CJHL player awards will be announced during the week of May 1-5. That will be followed by the announcements of each of the respective award winners during the period of May 8-12 heading into the RBC Cup Canadian Jr. A Championship, May 13-21, in Cobourg, Ont. Each of the finalists for the CJHL Coach of the Year will be announced prior to the start of the RBC Cup, with the winner being named during the nine-day event.?