Chantz Petruic enjoyed a season that was surely one for the history books with the Yorkton Terriers of the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League. The one time Moose Jaw Warrior ended his junior career in the same place he spent the past three seasons.
This year, Petruic stood out from the rest of the league when it came to offensive production. In 52 games played, Chantz scored 58 goals and he added 51 assists to lead the league with 109 points. Those were 21 more than Cole Rafuse and Alec Malo, both of which played for the Flin Flon Bombers and had 88 points.
Petruic averaged 2.10 points-per-game, with Malo being the next closest at 1.63. Thanks to his success, the Moose Jaw native now has eight different awards to hang on his shelves. He was named the Viterra Division's Most Valuable Player, Viterra Division's Player of the Year, RBC SJHL's Player of the Year, and SGEU SJHL's Most Valuable Player.
The Terriers also held their team awards evening and Chantz took home four more awards. He was named the team's Most Valuable Player, was given the President's Award, was the Top Scorer, and Most Popular. So that just goes to show that not only did Chantz dominate on the ice, but he was very much liked in the dressing room as well, something every player wants.
"It's an honour. You can see some of the guys that have won awards like that over the years, it's a pretty special to be amongst that group," said Petruic. "I wouldn't be able to do what I did without my teammates and my coaches. I don't think my linemates got enough credit this year, they were unbelievable. I also have to thank my coaches, they put me in spots where I could succeed."
Yorkton was right in the midst of their playoffs when the CJHL announced the cancellation of the remainder of all playoffs and past events including the Centennial Cup which was set to be played in Portage from May 9-17. At the time of cancellation, Yorkton was tied with La Ronge in the best-of-seven at two games apiece in the first to four.
Petruic had eight points in the first four games which gave him the second-most points in the playoffs. Petruic is the first one to admit that racking up a bunch of points is nice, but at the end of the day, winning a championship is the main goal and always has been. Unfortunately, the Moose Jaw native won't get another chance to do that in his junior career as he's run out of eligibility.
"I have a pretty sour taste in my mouth right now and I know everyone else on this team does as well," he continued. "We had championship aspirations and I honestly do believe we had a chance to do that this year. I always wanted to have that personal success and I did, but the most important thing to me was winning a title. The fans here in Yorkton have been absolutely incredible, they deserve that."
So the chapter on his life in Yorkton will close when he returns back to his home in Moose Jaw. However, before leaving town, he knows Yorkton is in good hands.
"This team has some unfinished business just like a few different teams do," he added. "They will be a good team next year and I think everyone should be watching out for Yorkton next year."
Playing in the Western Hockey League with his hometown Warriors offered up four assists in 55 games. His time in the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League offered up 110 regular-season goals and 133 assists in 158 games. In 18 playoff games, he scored 10 goals and added nine assists.
For now, it's time to get some family time in, but before you know it, next season will be here and Chantz will soon have to make a decision on where he wants to play and already several offers have poured in after what can be called a magnificent junior hockey career.
"I'm just taking things day-by-day here, I'll talk about it with my family," he concluded. "We'll see what the future holds."
