2016/17 MJHL Award Winners & All-Star teams announced

OCN Blizzard’s Brady Keeper is the recipient of two major MJHL awards: MVP and top defenceman, Commissioner Kim Davis announced today.

The league also announced the winners of the remaining four major awards and all-star teams.

“Every player should be commended for their outstanding performance over the regular season,” said Davis. “Coaches of the league vote and make the selections. These selections are extremely difficult to make. The talent level in our league continues to improve yearly. The selection of our award winners and all-stars is a time-consuming and difficult process.”

Steve “Boomer”  Hawrysh MVP Award

Brady Keeper, 20, hails from Cross Lake and has committed to University of Maine for next season. In 44 games, the 6-foot-2, 200-pound D-man has scored 22 goals and recorded 45 points.

Rookie of the Year – Vince Leah Trophy

Cole Weaver, Winkler Flyers. The rookie goaltender from Champin Park, MN, has enjoyed an outstanding freshman season. He currently owns a 24-11 record with a .909 save percentage. At 6-foot-2, he takes up a lot of net, making it very difficult for opposition shooters. As you can guess, his favourite player is a goaltender: Carey Price of the Montreal Canadiens.

Hockey Ability – Lorne “Windy” Lyndon Trophy

Jeremey Leipsic, Portage Terriers. The native of Winnipeg currently leads the MJHL scoring race, and is hoping to add that award to his accomplishments. He currently has 93 points (30-63) in 55 games. At 5-foot-8, Leipsic is highly skilled and can make plays at a high speed. Leipsic, 19, is hoping to earn a college scholarship. His older brother, Brendan, plays with the Toronto Marlboros (AHL).

Top Goaltender

Roman Bengert, Steinbach Pistons. The native of Cole Harbour, NS, leads the MJHL in three goaltending categories: wins (34), minutes played (2,439) and shutouts (five). At 6-foot-3, Bengert has proven to be extremely difficult to beat. Bengert recently committed to Lake Superior State.

Top Defenceman – Brian Kozak Trophy

Brady Keeper, OCN Blizzard

Coach of the Year – Portage Terriers “ Muzz McPherson” Award

Paul Dyck, Steinbach Pistons. Currently, the Pistons have only eight losses this season and have been nationally ranked No. 1 several times by the CJHL. Dyck, a former draft of the Pittsburgh Penguins, was head coach when the Pistons won the MJHL in 2013. Under Dyck’s tutelage, the Pistons have appeared in the last two MJHL championships.

1st All Star Team     

Goal	Roman Bengert	Steinbach Pistons
Defence	Lawson McDonald	Winkler Flyers
Defence	Brady Keeper	OCN Blizzard
Forward	Jeremey Leipsic	Portage Terriers
Forward	Brandon Stanley	Wayway Wolverines
Forward	MacKenzie Graham	Steinbach Pistons

2nd All Star Team    

Goal	Cole Weaver	Winkler Flyers
Defence	Tyler Anderson	Steinbach Pistons
Defence	Tyler Jubenvill	Winkler Flyers
Forward	Chase Brakel	Portage Terriers
Forward	Scott Gall	Winkler Flyers
Forward	Jake Dudar	Selkirk Steelers

Rookie All Star Team

Goal	Cole Weaver	Winkler Flyers
Defence	Layne Toder	Portage Terriers
Defence	Sam Stewart	Neepawa Natives
Forward	Will Koop	Steinbach Pistons
Forward	Riese Gaber	Dauphin Kings
Forward	Dallas Tulik	Winnipeg Blues

Each all-star winner will receive their award at their home rink over the next two weeks. The MJHL’s top scorer, who will be decided upon season’s end, will receive the Mike Ridley Trophy, named after the prolific goal scorer who starred with the St. Boniface Saints.

(MJHL Press Release)