RBC PLAYER OF THE MONTH - January

Press Release

RBC SJHL PLAYER OF THE MONTH
Adam Antkowiak, Humboldt Broncos
1992 F Adam Antkowiak (Medicine Hat AB) is heating up in a big way, which is scary for opposing teams because Antkowiak has long been a physical mismatch for defensemen.  Now that he’s putting up elite statistics, Antkowiak looks like he could be almost impossible to neutralize.  He scored 9-goals and 8-assists in 11-games , including a run of six games to end January where he put up 12-points.  A big second half has allowed him to move into the top twelve in overall league scoring with 18-goals and 24-assists in 44-games.  In fact, he’s been the top performer on the league’s top team since the first of December (19-13-11-24).

SJHL DEFENSEMAN OF THE MONTH
Josh Roach, Flin Flon Bombers
1992 D Josh Roach (Saskatoon SK) has been tremendous in his first and only season with the Flin Flon Bombers, leading all SJHL defensemen in scoring from wire to wire this year.  He’s also stepped up his defensive game and his leadership qualities have emerged as well.  He has 13-goals and 38-assists in 45-games to sit fifth overall in league scoring and is only five points away from winning the scoring title, a feat unheard of in today’s hockey world.  He ended the month with 10-points in his last 5-games and finished January with 3-goals and 10-assists in 9-games.

SJHL ROOKIE OF THE MONTH
Dion Antisin, Notre Dame Hounds
1994 F Dion Antisin (Kelowna BC) is enjoying a breakout season with the Junior ‘A ‘Hounds after a stellar year in 2011-12 with the Midget ‘AAA’ club.  He finished the month of January with 7-goals and 4-assists in 11-games played to run his overall season totals to 14-goals and 13-assists in 44-games.  He ends the month with points in four of his last five and had a big three-point outing January 8^th against the first place Yorkton Terriers.  Not afraid to mix it up, Antisin leads all rookies in penalty minutes and ranks tied for second in rookie powerplay goals, with six.

SJHL GOALTENDER OF THE MONTH
Alex Wakaluk, Melville Millionaires
1993 G Alex Wakaluk (Bellevue AB) came back after Christmas and elevated his game to a new level by posting a 7-and-2 record to go along with a 1.66-GAA and .946-SPCT.  He also posted a pair of shutouts in a month that saw him allow no more than three goals in any one start.  He hasn’t allowed more than two in seven consecutive appearances.  For the season, Wakaluk ranks first in minutes played, tied for first in shutouts, tied for first in wins, third in goals against average, and second in save percentage.  (22-15-2, 2.25, .931, 5SO).

(Nathan can be reached at nathanfournier@mainehockeyjournal.com)