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.
Defenseman of the Year finalists Greg Coburn, Yorkton Terriers 1988 D Greg Coburn (Saskatoon SK) watched his game blossom this season, culminating with a scholarship to Union, which was announced in January. Coburn has been Yorkton's leading scorer for most of the season and ranks in the top three in scoring amongst all SJHL blueliners. Coburn plays in all situations and often logs upwards of 30-plus minutes a game. He's as strong defensively as he is offensively, often playing a steady one-on-one style that can go unnoticed until he makes a nice play further up the ice. Taylor Thiessen, Nipawin Hawks 1989 D Taylor Thiessen (Prince Albert SK) is a hybrid in that he combines physical play with an offensive game that ranks amongst the SJHL's best. Thiessen, the only one of the three finalists eligible to return to the league next year, has been extremely consistent all year long, even during some tough stretches for the Hawks in the early part of the season. Thiessen ranks third in the league amongst defensemen in assists. Brady Wacker, Humboldt Broncos 1988 D Brady Wacker (Jansen SK) has had an offensive year like no other defenseman in recent memory. Wacker is in position to win the SJHL scoring title. He ranks first in the league in assists, points, and powerplay points. Despite his small frame, Wacker is not afraid to get physical and can sometimes be seen on highlight reels with the hit of the night just as likely as he's apt to set up the goal of the night. Wacker has received a scholarship to Bemidji State for this Fall. Player of the Year and MVP finalists (Note the same four finalists are up for both awards, one of these four will win the MVP and another wins the Player Of The Year) Brett Leedahl, Kindersley Klippers 1988 F Brett Leedahl (Saskatoon SK) is an electrifying player to watch, often bringing fans out of their seats with his razzle dazzle style of offensive flair. Leedahl is in contention for the SJHL scoring title and he's been a fixture amongst the league leaders ever since he entered the league as an 18-year-old rookie in 2006-07. How important of a factor is Leedahl? You will find his name on 49.3 per cent of all Kindersley goals through either a goal or an assist. Rylan Schwartz, Notre Da me Hounds 1990 F Rylan Schwartz (Wilcox SK) is the youngest player of the four finalists to be considered for either of these two awards. Schwartz, who's in contention for a scoring title, may well have won the title outright had he not missed eight games because of commitments to the World Junior 'A' Challenge and CJHL Top Prospects Game. Of course, you don't get selected for those games unless you are an exceptional player and Schwartz definitely qualifies. He has a scholarship to Colorado College in tow for this Fall. NHL Central Scouting has taken notice and he is, officially, rated as a potential NHL Entry Draft pick this upcoming June. Preston Shupe, Weyburn Red Wings 1988 F Preston Shupe (Weyburn SK) is a consummate professional on and off the ice. Shupe is one of the league's more sportsmanlike players and his maturity was evident enough to Canisius that they inked him to a scholarship very early on this season. Shupe has been a major factor in Weyburn's second half surge, leading the team in scoring and in the dressing room. Shupe is in the mix for a scoring crown and the Red Wing captain was leading the league in goals as of February 9. Brady Wacker, Humboldt Broncos Wacker is trying to pull a Bobby Orr, meaning win a scoring championship as a defenseman. He leads the league in assists and his dominance on the blueline has been a major contributing factor for Humboldt; as the Broncos continue to steam roll the competition on many nights. The best player on the league's best team is off to Bemidji State University this Fall. Wacker leads the league in assists and points as of February 9. Rookie of the Year finalists Dane Muench, Battlefords North Stars 1992 F Dane Muench (Martensville SK) has emerged as a go-to player on the Battlefords North Stars, a tall order for a player who could still be playing midget hockey for another year after this. See 'Doesn't' on pg. Continued from pg. It is an assignment made even tougher when you consider the Stars are already a young team and Muench doesn't have the benefit of learning from veterans who have experience winning in the SJHL. Nevertheless, Muench ranks third in the league amongst rookies in goal scoring and being able to make a major impact at the age of 16 speaks volumes of his potential. Jaden Schwartz, Notre Dame Hounds 1992 F Jaden Schwartz (Wilcox SK) has had a tremendous year, getting selected for the World Junior 'A' Challenge, World Under-17 Hockey Championships, and CJHL Top Prospects Game. He has also, verbally, committed to Colorado College for 2010-11. Offensively, Schwartz is the SJHL's leading scorer amongst rookies by a comfortable margin and, like Muench, has managed to carve out a major role on a rebuilding team despite playing Junior 'A' hockey at an age in which he could still play two more years of midget. Deven Stillar, Melfort Mustangs 1990 F Deven Stillar (Sudbury ON) has, quietly, gone about his business this season and finds himself leading all SJHL rookies in goals (30) as of February 9. A highly touted prospect after helping his club win the national Midget 'AAA' hockey championship this past Spring, Stillar has had very little trouble adjusting to the higher level in a province foreign to him prior to this season. While has enjoyed the physical aspect of the SJHL, his offensive exploits are his bread and butter. He would be an early candidate to challenge for an SJHL scoring crown next year. Graham Christie Memorial Award Given to the player who provides inspirational leadership and dedication to teammates both on and off the ice. The award carries a $500 bursary from the Christie family. Daniel Hope, Melville Millionaires Hope (Kelvington SK) possesses tremendous leadership skills, serving as an Assistant Captain last season, his first as a Millionaire. This year, he's the Captain and the team's leading scorer. He is the first one to volunteer for team functions and has been involved with Big Brothers and Big Sisters with School Mentoring for each of the past two seasons as well. Scott Schroeder, Humboldt Broncos Schroeder (Drake SK) has shown courage and leadership on every level, including suffering through two injury plagued seasons to emerge as a team leader and point producer on a club that is, statistically, the league's best. For practice, he's the first on the ice for practice and the last to leave. He also doesn't hesitate to share his trying experiences with younger players. Preston Shupe, Weyburn Red Wings Last year's Kresse-Kruger-Mantyka Award winner, Shupe (Weyburn SK) is a finalist for the Graham Christie Memorial. Weyburn's team captain contributes off the ice through school visits, community events, team functions, as well as letterman and coaches meetings. His personal organization, communication, and team building processes are highly refined. On the ice, he is in the running for an SJHL scoring championship. Kresse-Kruger-Mantyka Award Given to the player who shows a high degree of hockey proficiency combined with showing evidence of attending school, maintaining above average academics. The winner receives scholarship of $500. Greg Coburn, Yorkton Terriers Coburn (Saskatoon SK) is a strong two-way defenseman, who skates well and is a leader on his hockey club. Coburn always matches up against opposing teams' top lines and maintains excellent poise and composure. Coburn has earned SJHL Defenseman Of The Week and SJHL Defenseman Of The Month awards this season and is also the top +/- player on the Terriers. He has received a scholarship to Union for next year, indicating he maintains an excellent academic grade. Torrey Lindsay, Weyburn Red Wings Lindsay (Grosse Isle MB) has been a top line player for the Red Wings for the better part of two seasons. In addition to seeing quality minutes at even strength, Lindsay is also often called up on to work the powerplay and penalty kill. He has played in the SJHL All-Star Game twice and has managed to play each game for the last two years as well. Scholastically, Lindsay received a Grade 12 diploma, maintaining an 80 per cent average. He is enrolled as a full-time distance-education student at Red River College in Winnipeg.
