By Clark Stork

Hawks handout hardware

Mar 11, 2018 | 8:25 AM

The Nipawin Hawks have done plenty of celebrating this week.

The team clinched first place in the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League (SJHL) regular season standings and home-ice advantage throughout the playoffs Tuesday with a win over La Ronge; Saturday night the club held their annual awards banquet. 

SJHL defenseman of the year Josh McDougall received four awards including top scorer, offensive defenseman, most valuable player, and the second-star award, which is accumulated by times named a game star during home games. The Prince Albert product said sharing the accolades with his teammates adds a different dimension than league-wide honours.

“It’s pretty cool to be named among my teammates. We have a great group of guys,” he said. “I’m just really honoured.”

McDougall produced a remarkable 74 points this season, his last in the SJHL. He will forego his 20-year-old year and attend Mercyhurst University next season on a hockey scholarship. He said the team has high expectations heading into playoffs and the individual accomplishments aren’t his number one focus.

Trades in Sask.

Skilled trades need not limited to building homes

Apr 17, 2024

Power outages

Several communities affected by power outages

Apr 17, 2024

UFA coming to Melfort

UFA to build petroleum site along Highway 41 in Melfort

Apr 17, 2024

“The main goal is to win a championship. I would trade every single award for a title,” he said.

Four-year player and captain Carter Doerksen received the best defensive defenseman award and the community service award. He said receiving votes from his teammates for the awards is a great feeling.

“It’s pretty cool to see what my teammates think of me. I’m not a guy that likes the attention. I just go out and do my job, so it’s nice to see my teammates hold me in that regard,” he said.

Doerksen spent time volunteering with Special Olympics and Nipawin Minor Hockey plus visited schools over his career in Nipawin. The Swift Current product said the town has become an important part of his life.

“The community gives so much to us, what we give back is just a fraction of what we get. Whenever we can go out and help it’s a pleasure,” he said.

The most popular player award went to Michael Grant. Chad McCartney was named the most under-rated player. Jake Tremblay, 17, earned rookie of the year. The most gentlemanly player award went to Jeremy Bisson. Twenty-year-old Brett Harasymuk was named most dedicated player and Austin Mikesch is the team’s most improved player. Three-year veteran Grant Baetsen picked up the best defensive forward honour and Daven Smith took home the most inspirational player award named after the late Graham Christie, who passed away after blocking a shot in 1997. Melfort native Logan Casavant received the hardest worker trophy. Brandan Arnold picked up the most three-star awards during the season leading to the 20-year-old being the first-star award winner. Goaltender Jake Anthony was the third-star honouree.

The team will now turn to playoff preparation. The Hawks will meet the lowest seeded team that survives the SJHL wild card series that opens Sunday. 

Doerksen said the regular season success is meaningful to the players but postseason prowess is more vital.

“The playoffs are the real test, hanging a championship banner would be really cool for the community and it’s long overdue,” he said.

Nipawin’s quarter-final best-of-seven series will open March 16 at the Centennial Arena.

clark.stork@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @ClarkStork