At times it feels like I’ve written the same article a good 30 times. Talking about COVID, seasons being delayed, seasons starting. It’s hard to keep track of leagues and where they’re at. But that’s why you keep coming back to the source. For the best and most up-to-date junior hockey news available.
AJHL Gets Season Start
After six months of back and forth, the AJHL finally received approval to get their season started. The Government of Alberta gave the approval to begin spring training this March, essentially one year since the original lockdown took place.
The league was scheduled to begin back in September but after shutdowns and restrictions, they’re finally able to get started. “It’s exciting for our communities, for our athletes and obviously for our teams. There is a lot of excitement and it’s taken a lot to get to this point. I don’t know if I’ve had a chance to be excited but there is still a lot of responsibility here. Everything that’s gone into this, it’s really been a collaborative effort, not only with our league, but the government and AHS (Alberta Health and Safety) and chief medical officer, as well as our community mayors and MLAs. Now, for us, we have a responsibility to execute and be part of our communities under this unique environment,” said AJHL commissioner, Ryan Bartoshyk.
Games have been scheduled to take place on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, through May.
Alberta Benefit Initiative
Today, the Government of Alberta will make an announcement regarding an initiative benefiting junior hockey leagues who have been affected by COVID. Depending on when this article is published, the announcement will be made at 11 am and can be seen here.
QMJHL Top Players
QMJHL Points Leaders:
1 – Cédric Desruisseaux: Charlottetown, Islanders – 49
2 – Thomas Casey: Charlottetown, Islanders – 46
3 – Shawn Element: Victoriaville, Tigres – 31
QMJHL Goal Leaders:
1 – Cédric Desruisseaux: Charlottetown, Islanders – 28
2 – Thomas Casey: Charlottetown, Islanders – 21
3 – Joshua Roy: Sherbrooke, Phœnix – 16
QMJHL Goals Against Leaders:
1 – Colten Ellis: Charlottetown, Islanders – 1.82
2 – Alexis Shank: Chicoutimi, Saguenéens – 2.03
3 – Thomas Sigouin: Québec, Remparts – 2.24
USHL Top Players
USHL Points Leaders:
1 – Sean Farrell: Chicago, Steel – 57
2- Matt Coronato: Chicago, Steel – 54
3 – Erik Middendorf: Chicago, Steel – 47
USHL Goal Leaders:
1 – Matt Coronato: Chicago, Steel – 28
2 – Erik Middendorf: Chicago, Steel – 23
3 – Cameron Berg: Muskegon, Lumberjacks – 19
USHL Goals Against Leaders:
1 – Todd Scott: Tri-City, Storm – 2.09
2 – Jakub Dobes: Omaha, Lancers – 2.30
3 – Brennan Boynton: Fargo, Force – 2.37
We’re glad the AJHL is getting started because it’s one more league that kids are able to partake in. The past year has been a long, winding, choppy road and it looks like things are starting to continue getting better each and every week. We just need this trend to continue!
Tune in to the newest podcast episodes to get your seat at the round table for all your junior hockey news and information. It’s not your traditional structured podcast. There are hot takes that often turn out to be great takes. Check us out on Twitter @TJHP and @Nwinansw. We’ll see you next week.
