Nipawin's Zander Stewart is a co-winner of the SJHL's Most Sportsmanlike Player Award. (SUbmitted photo/Richard Petersen)

By Clark Stork

Award Winner

Stewart named co-winner of SJHL Most Sportsmanlike Player

Mar 10, 2023 | 9:36 AM

Nipawin Hawks defenceman Zander Stewart was nominated for two Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League (SJHL) awards this month, and on Thursday, he was named the co-winner of an honour.

Stewart, 19, was named a winner of the Federated Co-op Most Sportsmanlike Player of the Year alongside Kindersley’s Tylin Hilbig. The second-year Nipawin blueliner was also up for Defenseman of the Year, but that honour went to Battlefords’ Tynan Ewart. Stewart said being named one of the three finalists for that award was a credit to his teammates.

“A lot of that goes towards the team,” he said. “I have been able to find my game this year, I guess. I have been playing pretty simple hockey, so it’s nice to gt recognized for that and hopefully I can keep it going into playoffs.”

Going into the Hawks’ final game of the regular season on Friday against the Mustangs at the Centennial Arena Stewart sits fourth in points by defenceman in the SJHL with 41 including eight goals. He was injured in a game on Feb. 24 and missed action until returning on Tuesday in North Battleford. At the time he went down with the injury, Stewart was second in scoring.

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The West Kelowna, B.C. product only had 10 penalty minutes at the time of voting as well in 49 games played. Competing against teams top players and staying out of the penalty box are attributes Stewart said are nice to be noticed for.

“It’s obviously an award guys kind of joke around with, but it’s nice to have something to be recognized for,” he said.

Going into the regular season finale at the ‘Cage,’ Nipawin still has a chance to climb to fifth in the SJHL standings. The Hawks are a point back of the Estevan Bruins. They face Weyburn on Saturday to conclude their schedule.

Admission for the game is free. With a big crowd expected Stewart said the players are treating the game like any other.

“We just come out come and play physical with these guys, especially in a rivalry game, it will be good for us. We’ll get the two points,” Stewart concluded.

The Hawks will finish no lower than seventh in the standings after placing 11^th last season. The Hawks first round opponent could be known by Saturday night.

Face-off on Friday is 7 p.m.

The Hawks awards banquet will take place on Saturday at the Evergreen Centre.

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clark.stork@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @ClarkStork