By Mat Barrett

Seven Mustangs, seven Hawks selected for SJHL/MJHL Showcase

Jan 11, 2019 | 4:00 PM

The Melfort Mustangs and Nipawin Hawks will both be well represented at this years SJHL/MJHL Showcase in Regina.

Seven Mustang players, and seven Hawks players, along with their respective coaches will head down to the Queen City to show off their talents.

Hawks Head Coach Doug Johnson said he’s very happy for those players who are able to attend.

“It’s very well deserved for them and it’s a great oppurtunity.” Johnson told northeastNOW. “I think like every coach, you feel that you have a few other guys that deserve to be there, but this is what the league decided. Happy for the guys who are able to attend, and hopefully they represent themselves well.”

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Team Kunitz is one of two SJHL teams that will feature players in their 19 or 20-year-old season.

Forward – Jordan Simoneau (Tisdale, SK) (Nipawin Hawks)

Jordan Simoneau really came into his own this season with the Nipawin Hawks. After scoring 12 goals and 12 assists in his rookie season last year, the big winger has eclipsed last year’s totals already. In 39 games, Simoneau has 15 goals and 13 assists for the Hawks. Simoneau also has two hat-tricks this season. One came in the first game of 2019 against the Melfort Mustangs on Jan. 4.

Defence – Gage Misskey (Melfort, SK) (Nipawin Hawks)

Gage Misskey came over to the Hawks last season from the Drumheller Dragons and played a large role in the Hawks run to a Canalta Cup title as SJHL Champions. The Hawks captain played big minutes for his team this season both offensively, and defensively. Misskey leads the Hawks in scoring among defencemen with 19 points in 40 games.

Goalie – Patrick Pugliese (Pasadena, CA, USA) (Nipawin Hawks)

Patrick Pugliese was nothing short of excellent for the Nipawin Hawks this season serving as the backup to Declan Hobbs (the 2017/2018 SJHL Top Goalie). The American is tied for the SJHL lead in goals against average (1.86), is second in save percentage (.936), and holds an 11-1 record in 14 appearances for the league leading Hawks.

Team Mitchell (Coached by Melfort Mustangs Coach Trevor Blevins)

Team Mitchell is the other SJHL team that will be comprised of players in their 19 and 20-year-old seasons.

Forward – Justin Ball (Saskatoon, SK) (Melfort Mustangs)

The SJHL’s leading scorer had his remarkable 33 game point streak snapped to open up the 2019 calendar year, but the 3rd year winger has been fantastic for the Mustangs throughout the seaosn. Ball has scored 41 goals, and added 27 assists this season to lead the league in scoring by 11 points heading into the games on Friday, Jan. 11. Ball has already demolished last years point totals of 24 goals and 24 assists.

Forward – Carson Albrecht (Martensville, SK) (Melfort Mustangs)

Carson Albrect has been on the same line as Justin Ball their whole Junior A career, and their chemistry is showing. Albrecht is second in league scoring behind Ball with 57 points (25 goals, 32 assists) in 36 games. Albrecht is also tied for the league lead in powerplay goals with 12. The Mustang captain returned from a two-game suspension on Wednesday, Jan. 9 against the Melville Millionaires.

Forward – Tanner Zentner (Red Deer, Alta.) (Melfort Mustangs)

Tanner Zentner played in the middle of Ball and Albrecht for the past two and a half seasons, and his size, and hockey IQ were a great asset to the line. In just 32 games this season, Zentner tallied 34 points (five goals, 29 assists). After battling injuries last season, and parts of this season, Zentner seems ready to roll down the home stretch with Ball and Albrecht on his wings.

Defenceman – Kayle Tosh (Beausejour, MB) (Melfort Mustangs)

The leading scorer among defencemen in the SJHL proved his worth for the Melfort Mustangs this season. After tallying 31 points last year, the smooth skating blue liner already shattered his assist total from last year by notching 37 compared to 24, and is just two goals away from matching his total from last season.

Goalie – Shawn Parkinson (Victoria, B.C.) (Melfort Mustangs)

After being traded to the Mustangs from the Drayton Valley Thunder in the Alberta Junior Hockey League (AJHL), Shawn Parkinson has exceeded expectation with his new club. In 17 games, Parkinson is 12-3 with a 1.91 goals against average (third in the SJHL), and a .927 save percentage (fourth in the SJHL). He will be counted on by Trevor Blevins and the Mustangs down the stretch.

Team Schwartz (Coached by Chris Lewgood (Estevan Bruins))

Team Schwartz is a team comprised of players 18 years old or younger.

Forward – Parker Fofonoff (Tisdale, SK) (Melfort Mustangs)

As a 17-year-old in the SJHL, Parker Fofonoff has been excellent for Trevor Blevins. Playing up and down the lineup, and killing penalties, Fofonoff has tallied five goals and six assists for 11 points in 37 games. The former Prince Albert Minto has three more years of eligibility for the Melfort Mustangs, and should be a key cog for them.

Forward – Austen Flaman (Emerald Park, SK) (Nipawin Hawks)

A former first overall pick in the 2015 SJHL Draft, Austen Flaman showed why the Yorkton Terriers took him with the first pick that year. The 18-year-old came to the Hawks in a trade with Yorkton in the summer, and has proven to be a great pick up for Nipawin. Flaman leads the Hawks in scoring with 16 goals and 17 assists for 33 points. He has already more than doubled his production from last season (six goals, nine assists).

Forward – Zack Smith (Saskatoon, SK) (Melfort Mustangs)

Joining Fofonoff as the only other 17-year-old player on the Mustangs, Zack Smith played a multitude of roles for Trevor Blevins. Most recently, Smith was on a line that featured Kenzie Arnold, and either Dryden Michaud or Colin Schmidt. Smith also spent a fair amount of time on the penalty kill, along with some time on the powerplay. Smith leads all Mustang rookies with 14 points (five goals, nine assists).

Forward – Jake Tremblay (Pense, SK) (Nipawin Hawks)

A former first round pick in the 2015 SJHL draft, Jake Tremblay excelled as one of the better two-way forwards in the SJHL. Last season, Tremblay had 30 points as a 17-year-old rookie for the Hawks as the team won the SJHL Championship. This season, he is poised to out do those numbers. He currently has 23 points in 40 games for the Hawks, good for fourth on the team.

Forward – Jaxsen Wiebe (Moose Jaw, SK) (Nipawin Hawks)

One of the youngest players in the league, Jaxsen Wiebe was excellent for the Nipawin Hawks as they sit first place in the SJHL. As a 16-year-old, Wiebe has 18 points in 32 games played. The speedy forward is listed at 6′ tall, and should still grow a bit more. Unless he decides to sign with the Red Deer Rebels (Western Hockey League), Wiebe should be a key piece for Nipawin in the coming seasons.

Defenceman – Jack Lenchyshyn (Steinbach, MB) (Nipawin Hawks)

Jack Lenchyshyn spent last season with the Steinbach Pistons of the MJHL (37 games), but now found himself a nice spot with the Hawks. Offensively, the 18-year-old has 10 assists on the year, but his value to the Hawks can be measured more in the defensive zone by playing tough minutes for Doug Johnson, and blocking shots at key moments in games, and finishing his checks.

The showcase will be a chance for all the players participating to show off their skills to scouts from all over North America. Things get going on Jan. 14 and will wrap up Jan. 15.

mat.barrett@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @matbarrett6