KIJHL announces Team of the Week (Week 18)
The Kootenay International Junior Hockey League is pleased to announce its Team of the Week for the period ending Jan. 25.
Forwards
Brendan Kindlein – Quesnel River Rush
The Calgary native was an assist machine with back-to-back three-assist performances, while adding a goal. Kindlein finished the week at plus-5 while averaging 13:41 per game. He set up the game-winning goal in a 6-1 win over the 100 Mile House Wranglers, then followed it up with a four-point night in a 9-4 victory over the Chase Heat, scoring the tying goal at 4-4. His goal marked a new season high with nine.
Isaiah Bagri – Quesnel River Rush
The local product recorded consecutive two-goal games in a pair of wins, bringing his season total to 22 goals — a new career high. Bagri was plus-8 while averaging 18:47 per game. He had two goals and four points in a 6-1 win over the Wranglers, then scored to give the River Rush 2-1 and 7-2 leads against the Heat. He also reached the 100-point milestone for his KIJHL career versus the Wranglers. This is Bagri’s second Team of the Week selection.
Hayden Evans – Grand Forks Border Bruins
The Revelstoke native posted a goal and four assists in a pair of wins. Evans was plus-5 while averaging 20:56 per game. He set up Gairen Bona’s game-winning goal and finished with three assists in a 5-3 victory over the Sicamous Eagles. Against his hometown Revelstoke Grizzlies, Evans scored on the power-play to spark a comeback before assisting on Brandon Gray’s overtime winner. This marks Evans’ second Team of the Week selection, his first coming with the Fernie Ghostriders.
Defence
Gairen Bona – Grand Forks Border Bruins
Bona recorded three points over the weekend, beginning with a two-goal performance against the Eagles, including the game-winner. Against the Grizzlies, he combined with Levi Astill to set up Evans’ power-play goal that kickstarted the comeback in a 4-3 overtime win. Bona finished plus-4 while averaging 22:51 per game. This is his second Team of the Week selection, with his first coming Jan. 4 while with the Merritt Centennials.
Teegan Mudryk – Kamloops Storm
Signed from the Rocky Rams at the trade deadline, Mudryk continues to make an impact, averaging 1.17 points per game since joining the Storm. The 6-foot-2, 200-pound defenceman collected three assists on the weekend, including two in a 4-2 win over the Eagles. He set up Noah Paulsen’s opening goal and later assisted on the tying marker. Mudryk was plus-2 while averaging 19:46 per game.
Goalie
Sam Saskiw – Merritt Centennials
The Sherwood Park, Alta., native was excellent between the pipes, stopping 38 of 40 shots in a pair of wins over the Princeton Posse and Heat. Saskiw posted a 0.99 goals-against average and a .950 save percentage. He turned aside 23 shots in a win over the Posse.