Saints Capture Third Straight Regular Season Title

The Spruce Grove Saints have captured the Dave Duchak Trophy as the 2010-2011 AJHL Regular Season Champions for the third consecutive season. The Saints completed the Regular Season with a record of 48-8-4 and 100 points, the third consecutive 100-point season for the Saints.

By securing 1st place in the North Division, the Saints have guaranteed themselves a first round bye in the 2011 AJHL Enerflex Cup Playoffs. The top seven teams in each Division will qualify for the 2011 AJHL Playoffs with the highest ranked seed awarded home ice advantage. The defending League Champion Saints will play the lowest seed of the teams advancing to Round Two in the North Division.

Three members of the Spruce Grove Saints have been selected as finalists for the 2010-2011 AJHL League Awards. The finalists include Felix-Antoine Poulin (Outstanding Defenceman), Sammy Spurrell (Rookie of the Year), and Vincenzo Marozzi (Top Goaltender). The 2010-2011 AJHL North Division All-Rookie Team boasts three members of the Spruce Grove Saints (Corey Chorneyko, Dustin Fostvelt, Sammy Spurrell), and defenceman Felix-Antoine Poulin was also named to the 2010-2011 AJHL North Division All-League Team.

Five players from the 2010-2011 Saints have committed to continue their athletic and academic careers at a post-secondary institute (Brett Switzer, Scott Allen, Bryce VanBrabant, Mat Knoll, Josh Koper).

Dave Duchak Trophy (10 year history)

2001-2002 — Canmore Eagles (47 wins, 14 losses, 3 ties)

2002-2003 — Sherwood Park Crusaders (43 wins, 13 losses, 8 ties)

2003-2004 — Camrose Kodiaks (42 wins, 14 losses, 4 ties)

2004-2005 — Camrose Kodiaks (48 wins, 8 losses, 8 ties)

2005-2006 — Fort McMurray Oil Barons (40 wins, 14 losses, 2 ties, 4 overtime losses)

2006-2007 — Fort Saskatchewan Traders (45 wins, 11 losses, 0 ties, 4 overtime losses)

2007-2008 — Camrose Kodiaks (49 wins, 8 losses, 0 ties, 5 overtime losses)

2008-2009 — Spruce Grove Saints (46 wins, 7 losses, 4 ties, 5 overtime losses)

2009-2010 – Spruce Grove Saints (52 wins, 4 losses, 1 tie, 3 overtime losses)

2010-2011 – Spruce Grove Saints (48 wins, 8 losses, 4 overtime losses)

David Duchak was the first Commissioner of the Alberta Junior Hockey League. Hockey Alberta and the Hockey Alberta Foundation inducted David Duchak into the Alberta Hockey Hall of Fame in 2009.

The opening round of the 2011 AJHL Enerflex Cup Playoffs will commence on Thursday, February 24th in the South Division and Friday February 25th in the North Division. Watch each game of the 2011 AJHL Playoffs live on AJHL Pay Per View at www.AJHL.ca!