The Reminder is making its archives back to 2003 available on our website. Please note that, due to technical limitations, archive articles are presented without the usual formatting.
The veterans have contributed as expected and a few young players have also made a difference for the Manitoba Junior Hockey League champion Selkirk Steelers. "It's probably the best group of inside leadership I've ever had," said Selkirk head coach Doug Stokes. Stokes' praise is significant, because he is in his 20th season in the league and has 551 career regular-season wins, which ranks third among active Canadian Junior 'A' Hockey League coaches. Selkirk swept the best-of-seven league final against the Portage Terriers and is 12-5 in the playoffs, with 68 goals scored in 17 games. The Steelers have a 56-23-1 record, and one overtime loss, in 81 games overall as they prepare for the best-of-seven Anavet Cup. The Anavet Cup champion will advance to the Royal Bank Cup national junior 'A' championship May 8-16 in Grande Prairie, Alta. Veterans Dustin Hughes, Steve Lajoie and defenceman Skyler Berman have been Selkirk's playoff leaders, along with 18-year-old goalie Justin Harris. Hughes led league playoff scorers with 27 points and tied for the league playoff lead with 10 goals in 17 games. He was second among league playoff scorers with 17 assists. Steve Lajoie led league playoff scorers with 18 assists and was second among league playoff scorers with 26 points in 17 games. "Hughes and Lajoie are the guys who stir the drink," said Stokes. "They are the guys we count on offensively. Lajoie has 31 goals and 78 points in 55 games overall. Hughes has 49 assists and 77 points in 42 games overall. Matt Johnson, Travis Kornelson and Steven Sleep are Selkirk's other scoring leaders, along with Berman. Johnson tied for fourth in the league with 87 points, including 57 assists, in 59 regular-season games. Kornelson tied for ninth in the league with 75 points, including 47 assists, in 54 games during the regular schedule. He has 55 assists and 87 points in 66 games overall. Sleep, 19, was 12th in the league with 72 points, including 50 assists, in 60 regular-season games. He was fourth among league playoff scorers with 15 points, including 11 assists, in 14 games. Sleep has 61 assists and 87 points in 74 games overall. Berman has 55 assists and 67 points in 78 games overall. He tied for seventh among league playoff scorers with 12 points, including 11 assists, in 17 games. "We had nine guys who scored game-winning goals in the playoffs." Harris led league playoff goalies with a 2.52 goals against average and 10-2 won-lost record in 762 minutes. He has a 3.03 goals against average and 31-10-1 won-lost-tied record in 2,515 minutes overall. "If I had to say my biggest surprise, that would be it," said Stokes, describing Harris's playoff performance. "It's his first season as a starter. He exceeded our expectations. "I don't know if I've ever coached a goalie with ice in his veins like that. He handles pressure extremely well." Selkirk was first in the Addison Division, and second overall, at 44-18-1 and one overtime loss, for 90 points in 64 regular-season games. The Steelers were second in the league with 335 goals scored and have totalled 403 goals overall. The Steelers will have a 13-day break before the first game of the Anavet Cup on April 24 in Kindersley and is another cause for concern for Stokes.
