The Blizzard Junior 'A' Hockey Club was a big winner on Monday as the Manitoba Junior Hockey League (MJHL) announced award winners for the 2023-24 regular season.
Ed Belfour Goaltender of the Year - Tomas Anderson (Blizzard)
A graduate of Stillwater High School in Minnesota last year, Anderson now calls The Pas his home and he has been exceptional this year. Anderson has 23 wins this year, the fourth-most in the league, and his .932 save percentage is tied for second in the league while Anderson has a very solid 2.07 goals-against average.
Tomas recently had a stretch that saw him record four shutouts in six starts and he leads the league with seven overall this year. He also recently committed to play Division 1 hockey at Niagara University.
Anderson has been a massive reason why the Blizzard currently occupies second place in the West Division.
Muzz MacPherson Coach of the Year - Eric Labrosse (Blizzard)
After helping the Moncton Wildcats of the Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League (QMJHL) make the playoffs thanks to a third-place regular season finish in the Western Conference last year, Labrosse was hired by the Blizzard this year and he has sparkled.
The Blizzard is not the most skilled team in the league; however, you will not find a team that works harder. Instilling a hard-working club, Labrosse has done a tremendous job of assuring his club is ready to go every single game.
There is a new buzz in The Pas this year and Labrosse is a big reason why. He has also coached professionally in the past in France.
Steve "Boomer" Hawrysh MVP - Trent Penner (Flyers)
He is the team's captain and he never shies away from a battle. If Trent Penner has to play physically, he will. If he has to play a finesse game, he will. Whatever way Penner needs to play, he can.
Heading into the second last week of the MJHL regular season, Penner is second in league scoring with 26 goals and 42 assists. His average of 1.36 points per game is the second-best in the league, only behind Dalton Andrew who is his teammate in Winkler.
Penner has also added five game-winning goals for the Flyers this year as they sit in second place in the East Division.
Brian Kozak Top Defenseman - Noah Szabo (Pistons)
No surprise here whatsoever. Noah has had to deal with an injury this year, but when he is on the ice, there is no stopping the Pistons defender. Everyone knows about his excellent ability to shut down opponents in his end and this year, the 19-year-old has taken his game to the next level offensively.
Averaging a point per game, Szabo had 44 points in 44 games this year for Steinbach. Only Kaycee Coyle of Niverville has more points among a defender in the league. Noah is 18th in league scoring this year and fifth in team scoring.
He can lock you down in his end and Szabo can also terrorize you in his opponent's end.
Kim Davis Rookie of the Year - Grady Hoffman (Pistons)
Just like Szabo was no surprise to win Defenseman of the Year, Grady Hoffman is certainly no surprise to win Rookie of the Year honours.
At 18 years old, Hoffman has 46 points in 48 games this year. He has a great ability to create his own space offensively which has proven extremely beneficial. Hoffman has also been excellent while on a power play with six goals and five assists while the Pistons are on the man advantage. Perhaps the most impressive statistic for Hoffman is his four shorthanded goals this year.
No player has more shorthanded goals this year. Hoffman's 27 goals are also tied for the fourth-most in the league. The Pistons are on top of the MJHL and will likely clinch home-ice advantage for the entirety of their playoff run.
Frank McKinnon Memorial Award Hockey Ability & Sportsmanship - Josh Lehto (Oil Capitals)
The Dauphin Kings will go up against him on Tuesday night at Tundra Oil & Gas Place.
In his second year with the team, Lehto has been brilliant offensively this year as he leads the Oil Capitals with 55 points, 20 of which have come on the power play. Lehto is one of those tireless workers that every team wishes they could have several of.
While Lehto is by no means a big player when it comes to size on the ice, his great ability to see open ice and create space for himself which makes him a threat every single time that he's on the ice. If Virden is to go deep this year, Lehto will have to be front and centre.
