CALGARY, Alta. – The Canadian Junior Hockey League announced Wednesday the names of the five individuals who have been selected finalists for the CJHL’s Most Valuable Player Award in 2018-19.
Each of the candidates were determined, following a nomination and selection voting process supplied and completed by each of the CJHL’s 10-member leagues, in recognition of their respective efforts during the course of the regular season.
Hockey Canada will also be naming the Canadian Jr. A Player of the Year during the National Junior A Championship in Brooks, Alta.
The following are the five nominees for CJHL MVP, who are listed alphabetically, by league.
Jett Alexander (G), North York Rangers (OJHL)
The North York Rangers netminder led the 22-team OJHL with a tremendous 1.67 goals-against average along with an equally stellar .945 save percentage. … Alexander’s league-best 30 wins, included 10 shutouts, which broke an OJHL record that dated back all the way to the early 1970s. … On top of winning the OJHL goaltending statistical award, Alexander was voted OJHL netminder of the year. … He was on the NHL Watch List last season, played at the World Jr. A Challenge and was named an OHA Top Prospect. … His efforts helped North York remain in the CJHL Top 10 all season long. His contributions helped North York finish second overall in the 22-team OJHL standings. … Alexander was selected the OJHL Kewl Goaltender-of-the-Month and the CJHL’s first star of the month in October. … “He continues to tap into his potential each year and has developed into one of the best goalies in our league,” said Rangers Head Coach Geoff Schomogyi.
With files from: Jim Mason, Director of Communications (OJHL). Photo: Ray MacAloney/OJHL images
Dylan Holloway (F), Okotoks Oilers (AJHL)
Okotoks Oilers centre and NHL top prospect, Dylan Holloway, was the 2018-19 AJHL MVP and recipient of the Alberta Old Time Hockey Players trophy. … Holloway, 17, recorded 28 multi-point games for the Oilers, including five 4-point games, scored six game winning goals, and was selected as the Viterra AJHL Star of the Game 13 times. … He was a key member of the Oilers leadership group as an alternate captain and in October 2018 was recognized as the AJHL and CJHL Player of the Month. … Dylan Holloway (Bragg Creek, AB) won a gold medal with Canada at the 2018 Hlinka-Gretzky Cup and represented Canada as a member of Team West at the 2018 World Junior A Challenge. … The University of Wisconsin commit participated in the 2019 CJHL Prospects Game despite being a year away from draft eligibility.
With files from: Charla Flett, Vice-President, Communications (AJHL)
Alex Newhook (F), Victoria Grizzlies (BCHL)
The 18-year-old from St. John’s, N.L. led the BCHL in scoring by 18 points and clinched the first 100-point season since 2015-16 when he racked up eight points in a single game on the final weekend of the season to give him 102 on the year. … His 64 assists were tops in the league this season and he finished third overall with 38 goals. … Last year’s BCHL and CJHL Rookie of the Year, Newhook had two separate point streaks of 10 games or longer this season, his best stretch coming in the final 10 games of the regular-season where he totaled 28 points (13 goals, 15 assists). … Newhook won a bronze medal as an assistant captain for Team Canada West at the 2018 World Junior A Challenge and also participated in the 2019 CJHL Prospects Game in January. … He is ranked at number 13 on NHL Central Scouting’s North American Skaters final rankings list and is expected to be a first-round pick at the 2019 NHL Entry Draft. … He is committed to Boston College next season.
With files from: Jesse Adamson, Communications Coordinator (BCHL)
Brodie MacArthur (F), Summerside Western Capitals (MHL)
It was an incredible season for Summerside Western Capitals forward Brodie MacArthur. … You can pick any offensive category and it’s a virtual guarantee you’ll find the name of the now 20-year-old from Summerside at the top. … MacArthur was first in goals (43), assists (67), points (110), powerplay assists (20) and powerplay points (34), points per game (2.20), game-winning goals (10), and tied for first with Truro’s G Blackmore in shorthanded goals at four. … MacArthur also took just 24 minutes in penalties, playing all 50 games for the Western Capitals. … MacArthur was held off the scoresheet just seven times in 2018-19 and recorded 34 multi-point games. … His longest point streak reached 23 games. He posted five hat tricks and had 13 games with at least three assists. … MacArthur was the Gongshow 3rd Star of the Month in December, 1st Star in January, and 2nd Star in February/March. … Add it all up, and MacArthur was the centrepiece of the league’s leading offence in Summerside.
With files from: James Faulkner, Director of Communications (MHL)
Josh Tripp (F), Swan Valley Stampeders (MJHL)
Tripp typifies the story of a hometown boy does good. … The native son of Swan River grew up watching the Stampeders. … Tripp, 20, truly had a storybook season in his final season of junior eligibility, not only helping the Stamps to the playoffs, but playing a key role in one of the best seasons in history for the Stampeder franchise: 2nd place finish with 42 wins ─ a 14-win improvement from the 2017-18 season. … Tripp personifies the smaller player (5-foot-9, 165 pounds) who can not only compete, but excel. … His excellent hockey instincts and high skill levels were evident as he won the MJHL scoring race with 84 points (36-48) in 50 games. … His offensive talents were on display all season with a total of 24 multiple-point games ─ highlighted by a season-high, 5 points in one contest. … The veteran of 4 junior hockey seasons also came through in pressure situations, scoring a total of six game-winning-goals and nine goals via the powerplay. … Named the MJHL’s Most Outstanding Player, in addition to a first-team all-star selection, he represented the MJHL in the 2nd Annual SJHL/MJHL Showcase tournament.
With files from: Brian Smiley, Media Relations Officer (MJHL)
Earning honourable mention for the 2018-19 CJHL MVP Award were as follows:
Zack Hoffman, (D) Navan Grads (CCHL)
William Leblanc, (F) Inouk de Granby (LHJAAAQ)
Nicholas Tallarico, (G) Hearst Lumberjacks (NOJHL)
Justin Ball, (F) Melfort Mustangs (SJHL)
Bryce Young, (F) Red Lake Miners (SIJHL)
