CALGARY, Alta. – The Canadian Junior Hockey League announced Thursday the five players who have been selected finalists for the CJHL’s Top Rookie Award in 2018-19.
Each of the finalists were determined following voting completed by each of the CJHL’s 10-member leagues for their respective efforts during the course of the regular season.
The following are the five nominees for the CJHL’s Top Rookie, which are listed alphabetically, by league.
Carter Savoie (F), Sherwood Park Crusaders (AJHL)
Sherwood Park Crusaders forward Carter Savoie has captured the Dick White Trophy as AJHL Rookie of the Year for 2018-19. … Savoie entered the AJHL as a 16-year-old and posted remarkable numbers to lead his team in scoring with 72 points. … Savoie (St Albert, Alta.) led all AJHL rookies in scoring with 31 goals, 42 assists and an average of 1.3 points per game. … Along the way, Carter recorded 19 multi-point games, and scored seven game-winning goals to earn eight Viterra AJHL Star of the Game selections. … The 17-year-old was awarded as the Canalta Hotels AJHL Player of the Week in both October 2018 and November 2018. … Savoie is committed to the University of Denver (NCAA Division I) for the 2021-22 season. … He was one of only four 2002-born players invited to the Team Canada West Selection Camp for the 2018 World Junior A Challenge.
With files from: Charla Flett, Vice-President, Communications (AJHL)
Alexander Campbell (F), Victoria Grizzlies (BCHL)
Campbell’s BCHL career couldn’t have gotten off to a better start as he had a hat trick in his first ever game and never looked back from there. … The Clarkson University commit finished one-point back of the rookie scoring lead, ending the year with 67 points. … His 46 assists were also tops among all first-year players. … The highlight of the season for the Chateauguay, Que. native came in a Nov. 28 game against the Coquitlam Express where he had two goals and three assists in a 10-6 come-from-behind win where his line combined for 19 points. … The 18-year-old was a part of the bronze-medal winning Team Canada West at the 2018 World Junior A Challenge and also participated in January’s CJHL Prospects Game. … Campbell is ranked at number 43 on NHL Central Scouting’s North American Skaters list ahead of the 2019 NHL Entry Draft.
With files from: Jesse Adamson, Communications Coordinator (BCHL)
Owen Murray (D), Portage Terriers (MJHL)
Consider that Owen Murray broke into the MJHL at just 15 years old is testament that the young fellow from Decker, MB., was hockey ready. … A shifty defenceman who plays and sees the game at a high speed, Murray jumped right into the high-pace of game played by the Portage Terriers. … Murray, who turned 16 in December, was a regular on the powerplay and showed off his offensive skills, reflected in a team-high 16 powerplay assists. … He also chipped in with three game-winning goals. … His outstanding play didn’t go unnoticed, as he was named the IBAM Rookie of the Month in October. … Was one of five MJHL players invited to the selection camp for Team Canada West which competed in the World Junior A Challenge in Alberta in December. … He finished the regular season with a highly respectable 41 points (9-32) in 55 games.
With files from: Brian Smiley, Media Relations Officer (MJHL)
Mitchell Weeks (G), Newmarket Hurricanes (OJHL)
Weeks had an awesome debut season of junior hockey finishing second-best In the 22-team OJHL in both goals against average (1.72) and save percentage (.941). … Is committed to the Sudbury Wolves for next season at mid-season and played four regular season games with the OHL team. … The native of Barrie, Ont., joined the Hurricanes this season following an outstanding midget year with the North Central Predators AAA squad. … Weeks, 17, was selected by the Wolves first overall in the 2018 OHL U18/midget draft. … “Mitchell came to us a raw rookie and every game here he (got) better and better,” said Robb Crawford, Newmarket’s director of hockey operations and general manager. … “It’s a catch-22, because we’re happy for Mitchell but, at the same time, you’d like a kid like him to be with your team for two or three years.”
With files from: Jim Mason, Director of Communications (OJHL)
Bryce Young (F), Red Lake Miners (SIJHL)
The 19-year-old The Pas, Man., product, had a tremendous campaign in the SIJHL, while also leading his club in offensive production. … His 60 goals during the regular season were the second-most markers in a single campaign by any skater in league history and he also went on to add 41 assists for 101 total points. … Young also topped all SIJHL skaters in both power play and shorthanded tallies with 15 and seven respectively while chipping in with five game-winning markers. Among his other notable accomplishments in 2018-19 were registering a point on over 36% of his team’s tallies during the year, topping the league in shorthanded points with nine and named to compete in the SIJHL All-Star Game where he dished out a pair of assists. … He was earlier named the SIJHL Rookie of the Year as well for his contributions on the ice with Red Lake. … Was named a 1st Team SIJHL All-Star at Forward.
Earning honourable mention for the CJHL Top Rookie Award in 2018-19 were the following:
Kyle Jackson (F) Ottawa Jr. A Senators (CCHL)
Étienne Caron (F), Les Braves de Valleyfield (LHJAAAQ)
Tyler Caseley (G), Yarmouth Mariners (MHL)
Noah Minns (F), Elliot Lake Wildcats (NOJHL)
Luke Spadafora (F), Melville Millionaires (SJHL)