Sean Bonar long ago put himself on the map as one of the British Columbia Hockey League's top goaltenders. And after a stellar week with Team Canada West at the 2009 World Junior A Challenge, you'd be hard pressed to find a scout in attendance who doesn't have the 18-year old's name at the front of their mind.
It's a safe bet that the Penticton Vees starter won't soon forget the experience, particularly after being presented with the Under Armour Tournament MVP award on Sunday. Bonar finished the tournament with a sparkling 2.21 goals-against average and .925 save-percentage. He was twice named Canada West's Player of the Game, first in his team's tournament opener against Russia and again in Sunday's Gold Medal finale.
Bonar capped his tournament with a 34-save performance in a 2-1 Gold Medal game loss to the United States on Sunday. But despite the defeat, he stole the show with countless highlight-reel saves — including 15 in a scoreless first period.
Bonar was on of three British Columbia Hockey League players named to the Tournament All-Star Team, as he was joined by Prince George Spruce Kings defenceman Wes McLeod and Vernon Vipers forward Connor Jones.
Jones tied teammate Cody Kunyk for the tournament scoring lead, scoring four times and totalling 10 points. McLeod ties Powell River Kings blueliner and Canada West captain Mat Bodie for the scoring lead amongst defencemen at the event.
Kunyk and a pair of United States players — defenceman Mac Bennett and forward Shane Berschbach — rounded out the All-Star team.
