VIJHL PLAYERS OF THE WEEK – 2019/2020
WEEK 24 – JORDAN NEUFELD – COMOX VALLEY GLACIER KINGS
“Jordan (Neufeld) played his best hockey of the season over the past six weeks,” says Comox Valley Glacier Kings’ Head Coach, Jeff Dubois of the VIJHL Player of the Week (February 17-22). “On top of being our top offensive player, he brings a physical presence and puts in a lot of work on special teams. He was the driving force in our win on Monday over Campbell River and has scored a number of big goals this month.”
Interview coming soon!
Honourable Mentions: Ryan Strange, Cody Savey and Liam Moody.
WEEK 23 – DAYTON CLARKE – SAANICH BRAVES
At 6’3, 225 pounds, Dayton Clarke makes his presence known on the ice. The Player of the Week earned 7 points (2G, 5A) on the weekend. Saanich Head Coach Brent Polischuk on his 18 year old power forward, “Dayton brings a unique finesse and physicality to the forward position; he’s a force to be reckoned with.” #9 is in his 3rd full season with the Braves.
Honourable Mentions: Tyler Chyzowski, Logan Cursley and Jordan Neufeld
WEEK 22 – ISAAC LEIK – OCEANSIDE GENERALS
“Isaac (Leik) is a dominate power forward type at this level. He can control games along the boards, has a tremendous shot and uses time and space to create offence effectively,” says the Player of the Week’s Head Coach, Dan Lemmon. This was in evidence last Saturday night in a 5 point performance against the Storm that helped Oceanside move back into first place in the North. Leik has been the most productive General since joining the club in January (18 points in 11 games).
Honourable Mentions – Chase Klassen and Avery Hargitt
WEEK 21 – EVAN ABGRALL – SAANICH BRAVES
Evan Abgrall is the Player of the Week in the VIJHL. The veteran of over 200 games in a Braves’ jersey is having a banner season. He is second in team scoring coming off an impressive weekend in which he put together 5 points and helped his club to 3 of 4 points. Head Coach Brent Polischuk on his All-Star D-man, “Evan is a truly dynamic hockey player. His speed is his biggest asset. He leads by example on and off the ice.”
Honourable Mentions – Jonathan Esposito and Dawson Heathcote
WEEK 20 – JOSH LINGARD – PENINSULA PANTHERS
What a weekend for Panthers’ forward Josh Lingard. His 6 point (4 goals, 2 assists) performance on Friday earned him Player of the Week honours; his 4 points at the PJHL/VIJHL All-Star game was just the icing on the cake. Panthers’ Head Coach Brad Tippett isn’t surprised by the play of his skilled forward. “Josh excels in all areas of the ice. He has been great all season including the two games he played on defence. He is one of those unique players who can execute high skill at high speed.”
Honourable Mentions – Andy Westhaver, Jordan Neufeld and Keagan Abbott
WEEK 19 – RILEY BRAUN – PENINSULA PANTHERS
“I’ve always defined a player’s value to the team by how much you miss him when he’s out of the lineup. We got a glimpse of that once this year and I still have nightmares. You can make an argument for him being the hardest worker or the craftiest player, but Riley’s real strength is all those things every shift, every game.” – Brad Tippett, Peninsula Panthers’ Head Coach on the VIJHL Player of the Week, Riley Braun.
Honourable Mentions – Tanner Wort, Noah Fladager and Jacob Bennett.
WEEK 18 – PEARCE MESSER – CAMPBELL RIVER STORM
Since returning to the Storm line-up in December, Pearce Messer has scored some big goals to win hockey games, two of them in overtime. According to his Head Coach, Lee Stone, “Pearce has been a dynamic threat for us since returning from injury. His physicality on the forecheck has opened up time and space for himself and his teammates.” The Player of the Week scored the OT winner over the Wolves on Friday and had a 3 pointer the following night against the Generals.
Honourable Mention – Aaron de Kok, Davis Frank and Jake Wilhelm.
WEEK 17 – EVAN EASTON – VICTORIA COUGARS
“The one thing I’ve grown to appreciate about Evan (Easton) is his consistency,” says Victoria Cougars Head Coach Brody Coulter of the VIJHL Player of the Week. “He finds a way to contribute every night, he’s been a driving force behind our power-play all season long and he always seems to find a way to score a goal when we need it. It’s awesome to see his efforts rewarded.” Evan earned 6 points on the weekend including a hat-trick against the Panthers.
Honourable Mention – Josh Lingard, Noah Fladager, Aiden Sutherland and Connor Svienson.
WEEK 16 & 4 – BRYCE IRWIN – VICTORIA COUGARS
Week 16 – Our first repeat Player of the Week is Bryce Irwin of the Victoria Cougars, who put together yet another impressive week, earning 6 points in 2 wins. Head Coach Brody Coulter says of his productive forward, “Bryce is a true competitor. He leads by example and is a guy who makes the players around him better. Over the past several weeks, he’s found his scoring touch and we couldn’t be happier with him.” Bryce has been red hot in December putting up 17 points in 7 games.
Honourable Mention – Evan Easton, Marshall Brown, Cory Mater and Alex Villa.
Week 4 – In his first week back with the Victoria Cougars, Bryce Irwin was an impact player. Cougars’ Head Coach Brody Coulter on the Player of the Week, “His tenacity is infectious and I think it was an eye opener for a lot of the younger guys in the room.” He added, “Bryce elevates his game in big moments … he came up with big plays on both side of the puck ultimately allowing for the team to take home 4 points against two very good teams.”
Honourable Mention – Luc Pelletier and Landon Dziadyk.
WEEK 15 – JOSH PEDERSON – CAMPBELL RIVER STORM
The Campbell River Storm scored 8 times in two Week 15 victories, Josh Pederson was involved in 5 of those goals (3 goals, 2 assists). The Player of the Week has generated 16 points in his last 7 appearances. Head Coach Lee Stone is impressed, “Josh is the catalyst to what we do every single night. He leads by example and does all the little things. It’s been great to see him rewarded this season, particularly with his first career hat trick this past weekend.”
Honourable Mention to Bryce Irwin and Riley Braun
WEEK 14 – JACOB BENNETT – COMOX VALLEY GLACIER KINGS
The VIJHL Player of the Week is Jacob Bennett from the Comox Valley Glacier Kings who turned aside 51 shots in a big last weekend. He is undefeated in his last 3 outings, boasting a 2.28 GAA and a .947 save percentage. G-Kings’ HC/GM Jeff Dubois on the Week 14 star, “Jake has been a tremendous addition to our team. He’s an outstanding goaltender as well as a great leader on and off the ice. On Saturday night against Nanaimo, he made a number of huge saves in the third period.”
Honourable Mention – Bryce Irwin and Josh Pederson.
WEEK 13 – TANNER WORT – PENINSULA PANTHERS
The play of Tanner Wort this season has been consistently impressive. The league’s leading scorer added another 7 points to his total last Friday night earning him Player of the Week reveres. Peninsula Head Coach, Brad Tippett, speaks highly of his 3rd year vet, “Worty has worked harder at working harder. He has himself in great physical shape. His commitment to be being a 200 foot player is evident. The chemistry he shares with (Riley) Braun and (Josh) Lingard is simply unique.”
Honourable Mention – Josh Lingard, Landon Dziadyk and Harkirat Gill.
WEEK 12 – PARKER BERGSTROM – KERRY PARK ISLANDERS
Parker Bergstrom has been playing lights out hockey for the Kerry Park Islanders. The Week 12 Player of the Week added 6 more points to his team leading total on the weekend. According to Isles’ Head Coach James Gaertner, “Parker has been an excellent offensive threat both on the power play and 5 on 5.” He added that, “He has great vision and touch around the net, which has made him a huge part of our recent success.”
Honourable Mention – Dawson Heathcote, Josh Lingard and Robert Michetti.
WEEK 11 – DAWSON HEATHCOTE – OCEANSIDE GENERALS
A 4 goal 2 assist weekend for Dawson Heathcote has netted him Player of the Week honours. The ‘16/17 VIJHL Rookie of the Year is ripping it up as a 19 year old with the Oceanside Generals. Number 91 has been on the scoresheet in his last 6 contests. Head Coach Dan Lemmon says of the former WHL’er, “Dawson is a dynamic forward at this level. He’s a leader on and off the ice for our team and a good role model for young guys on our squad.”
Honourable Mention – Brandon Hannibal, Robert Michetti and Brendan Rogers.
WEEK 10 – ROBERT MICHETTI – SAANICH BRAVES
The goaltenders continue to shine in the VIJHL. Robert Michetti has faced a lot of rubber since an early season trade to the Saanich Braves, on average 44 shots per game. In two important weekend wins the big netminder from Edmonton stopped 89 of the 90 shots he faced to earn Player of the Week honours. Braves Head Coach, Brent Polischuk on his 19 year old backstop, “Robert was great for us this week, his hard work and positive attitude show in both victories.”
Honourable Mention – Evan Easton and Josh Lingard.
WEEK 9 – AUSTIN DENDL – NANAIMO BUCCANEERS
The Buccaneers picked up 3 of a possible 4 points on the weekend thanks in part to impressive outings by netminder Austin Dendl. The Week 9 Player of the Week stopped 75 of the 79 shots he faced and was named Game Star on both nights. The 19 year old’s game has been improving; his GSAA (Goals Saved Above Average) is best in the league heading into Week 10.
Honourable Mention – Desmond Arthurs and Brendan Murray.
WEEK 8 – JAMES BRENDELAND – OCEANSIDE GENERALS
Oceanside Generals Goaltender James Brendeland is the VIJHL Player of the Week. James was brilliant over the last two games stopping 67 of the 72 shots he faced while picking up his third shutout of the season. “James is committed every day to improve both on and off the ice. He is a leader in our room and a calming influence when he’s in the crease.” – Gens HC Dan Lemmon
WEEK 7 – DYLAN DEVERS – NANAIMO BUCCANEERS
In his first week back, the Buccaneers’ Dylan Devers, made a big difference in two Week 7 victories. The VIJHL Player of the Week scored 4 goals. According to Nanaimo Head Coach, Clayton Robinson, “Dylan came back in full stride after being out with a concussion.” He added, “Dylan is a strong leader, on and off the ice, and it showed this (past) week by his performance.” Since his arrival in the Harbour City last December, the Chilliwack product has averaged over a point per game.
Honourable Mention – Brendan Martin
WEEK 6 – CONNOR McKILLOP – PENINSULA PANTHERS
A strong Week 6 performance from Peninsula Goalie Connor McKillop has earned him VIJHL Player of the Week honours. He stopped all 24 shots he faced in Nanaimo (4-0 W) and allowed just one on Friday at home against Oceanside (7-1W). Coach Brad Tippett says that the 6’2, 195 lb keeper is a leader, “Connor carries his quiet business-like demeanor onto the ice and it has a calming effect when things get a little chaotic in our own end.”
Honourable Mention – Alex Villa and Landon Dziadyk.
WEEK 5 – RYAN STRANGE – SAANICH BRAVES
The Week 5 VIJHL Player of the Week is Ryan Strange of the Saanich Braves. This young man has proven year in and year out to be as solid two-way forward as they come. On the weekend, the third year VIJHL vet picked up 6 points in two games. Braves’ Head Coach, Brent Polischuk describes the 19 year old, “Ryan is the quintessential quiet leader on and off the ice leading by example all the time.” He leads Saanich in team scoring averaging 1.2 points per game.
Honourable Mention – Tanner Wort.
WEEK 3 – MATTHEW SPARROW – PENINSULA PANTHERS
“Matt has been a dominant 200 foot power forward,” says Panthers’ Head Coach Brad Tippett of the Player of the Week, Matthew Sparrow. “He leads by example forcing other teams to pick their poison – focus on stopping him or Josh Lingard. At 6’2”, he’s the little guy on our Beef Line, flanked by 6’3” Pelletier and 6’4” Benn-Wipp.” After earning 6 points in two weekend wins, Matthew is atop of the scoring leaderboard with 13 points in 6 games.
Honourable Mention – Cameron LeSergent and Josh Pederson
WEEK 2 – JAKE WILHELM – SAANICH BRAVES
Jake Wilhelm of the Braves played his first games of the season in Week 2 and made his presence known in 2 Saanich wins grabbing first star honours on Friday and following up on Saturday with a hat-trick. Braves’ Head Coach Brent Polischuk gets right to the point when talking about his 20 year old defenceman, “Jake is our difference maker on and off the ice, period.” The VIJHL Player of the Week is in his third season with the Braves.
Honourable Mention – Kahlil Fontana and Josh Lingard.
WEEK 1 – OWEN CHRISTENSEN – CAMPBELL RIVER STORM
Owen Christensen of the Campbell River is the ‘Week One VIJHL Player of the Week.’ In the first two games of the season, he earned 6 points including a hat-trick in the season opener. OC, in his sophomore year, is unquestionably a key piece in the ‘19/20 Storm season. “Well what can you say about OC that the league doesn’t already know,” says Campbell River Associate Coach Travis MacMillan, adding, “He’s a highly skilled and driven player who always wants to win no matter the situation. His importance to this organization is immense, from locker room leadership to on ice production.”
Honourable Mention – Matthew Sparrow and Dylan Hartl.