Cale Makar (Brooks Bandits) was presented with the Dick White Trophy as AJHL Rookie of the Year on Friday night in Brooks. The 17 year old defenceman was second in scoring among AJHL rookie scorers and second overall in AJHL Defenceman.
“Based on Cale's exceptional play in last year’s playoffs as an affiliate, our staff expected him to have an outstanding rookie season,” said Bandits GM / Head Coach Ryan Papaioannou. “His abilities with the puck are second to none and he sees the ice extremely well. Cale loves to jump into the rush and push the pace offensively. He is a key component you our team success and this recognition as rookie of the year is a great vote of confidence from opposing coaches.”
Makar dressed in all 20 playoff games as an affiliate player last season, and has averaged 1.0 points per games in his first full season with the Bandits. The rookie defenceman was twice selected as the Viterra AJHL Star of the Game and tallied 2 game winning goals this year.
Cale Makar represented the AJHL at the 2015 World Junior A Challenge, winning a Gold medal for Team Canada West. Makar has already committed to the University of Massachusetts of the NCAA Division I.
Cale Makar is the second Bandit in franchise history to win the award; the first was Anthony Petruzzelli in 2011-2012.