CALGARY, Alta. (Friday, May 12, 2017) – The Canadian Junior Hockey League announced Friday that Cale Makar of the Alberta Junior Hockey League’s Brooks Bandits has been named its Top Defenceman Award honouree for the 2016-17 campaign.
Makar was earlier named the AJHL’s Most Valuable Player as well as its Top Defenceman as well.
The Brooks’ D-man produced a 75-point season on the blueline for the AJHL champion Bandits where he led all league rearguards in scoring and finished sixth overall among all skaters.
Makar previously served as captain of Canada West at the 2016 World Junior A Challenge and was selected to Team West for the 2017 CJHL Prospects Game.
The 18-year-old from Calgary, Alta., is projected by NHL Central Scouting as a potential first round draft pick in the upcoming 2017 NHL Entry Draft as he was slotted ninth overall among North American skaters in the final NHLCS rankings.
Makar is currently committed to the NCAA Division I University of Massachusetts on scholarship to begin his NCAA hockey career.
The CJHL would also like to recognize the five other finalists for its Top Defenceman Award in 2016-17.
BCHL: Jake Stevens – Victoria Grizzlies
LHJAAAQ: Jonathan Fillion – Collège Français de Longueuil
MJHL: Brady Keeper – OCN Blizzard
OJHL: Brennan Roy – Cobourg Cougars
SJHL: Eric Sinclair – Flin Flon Bombers
CJHL Year-by-Year Top Defenceman Award Recipients
2016-17: Cale Makar, Brooks Bandits (AJHL)
2015-16: Dante Fabbro, Penticton Vees (BCHL)
2014-15: Eric Williams, Aurora Tigers (OJHL)
2013-14: Trey Phillips, Canmore Eagles (AJHL)
2012-13: Patrick McCarron, St. Michael’s Buzzers (OJHL)
With files from Charla Flett, Vice-President Communications (AJHL)
