Recognizing the top players from the MJHL, SJHL, AJHL and BCHL
CALGARY, Alberta – The Canadian Junior Hockey League (CJHL) announced today the 2015 – 2016 CJHL Western All-Star Team, which recognizes the regular season's top players from the CJHL's four Western Junior A leagues.
The players named to the CJHL Western All-Star Team were chosen from the British Columbia Hockey League (BCHL), Alberta Junior Hockey League (AJHL), Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League (SJHL) and Manitoba Junior Hockey League (MJHL) and are selected from the nominees submitted for the CJHL National Awards, including Most Valuable Player, Top Forward, Top Defenseman and Top Goaltender.
The 2015 – 2016 CJHL Western All-Star Team:
Goalie
- Matthew Murray, Spruce Grove Saints, AJHL
Defense
- Brinson Pasichnuk, Bonnyville Pontiacs, AJHL
- Dante Fabbro, Penticton Vees, BCHL
Forwards
- Bobby McMann, Bonnyville Pontiacs, AJHL
- Tyson Jost, Penticton Vees, BCHL
- Brad Bowles, Portage Terriers, MJHL
Bobby McMann, Bonnyville Pontiacs, AJHL (47 GP, 36 G – 32 A – 68 PTS): The 19 year-old Pontiac Assistant Captain led in team scoring with 68 points. McMann scored the most game winning goals of all AJHL players (9) and the second most goals (36). McMann has recorded 21 multi-point games in the regular season and an average of 1.4 points per game. The 3rd year Pontiac was awarded as the Viterra AJHL Star of the Game 11 times this year. Bobby McMann won a Gold Medal as a member of Team Canada West at the 2015 World Junior A Challenge. The Centre from Wainwright, Alberta has committed to Colgate University of the NCAA Division I.
Matthew Murray, Spruce Grove Saints, AJHL (29 GP, 23 W – 4 L – 2.59 GAA – .910 S% – 3 SO): Matthew Murray had a season filled with awards and recognitions beginning in December as he won a Gold Medal with Team Canada West at the 2015 World Junior A Challenge. In January, Murray was selected to participate in the 2016 CJHL Prospects Game and soon after was identified in the NHL Central Scouting Mid-Term Rankings. In addition, Murray was awarded the Alberta Ford Dealers AJHL Goaltender of the Week in November 2015 and was selected as the Viterra AJHL Star of the Game twice for the Saints. In his second year with the Saints, Matt has compiled a record of 23-4-0 with 3 shutouts, a 2.59 GAA and .910 Save Percentage. Through the month of November 2015, Murray recorded 7 consecutive wins for the Saints. Last season Matthew backstopped Spruce Grove to their second consecutive AJHL Championship as a rookie, while also sharing in the AJHL Top Goaltends award, which is awarded to the AJHL team with the lowest GAA. The 18 year old from St Albert, Albert has committed to the University of Massachusetts of the NCAA Division I.
Brinson Pasichnuk, Bonnyville Pontiacs, AJHL (52 GP, 20 G – 45 A – 65 PTS): Brinson Pasichnuk led all AJHL defencemen in scoring and was second to AJHL MVP, Bobby McMann, in team scoring. Pasichnuk (Bonnyville, AB) averaged 1.3 points per game through the regular season and recorded 18 multi-point games. The 18 year-old scored 5 game winning goals, the most of all AJHL defenceman. Brinson Pasichnuk was identified in the NHL Central Scouting Final Rankings and represented Team West at the 2016 CJHL Prospects Game. He also won a Gold Medal with Team Canada West at the 2015 World Junior A Challenge. The second year Pontiac serves as an Assistant Captain for his hometown Pontiacs. Brinson and his brother Steenn have committed to the NCAA Division I Arizona State University Sun Devils.