The NCAA hockey playoffs are fast approaching, but before that, four BCHL alumni were honoured with weekly or monthly awards. We highlight the four winners in this week’s Roundup.
Atlantic Hockey Defensive Player of the Month
Hunter Sansbury (D) – Junior – Sacred Heart University (Salmon Arm Silverbacks)
Sansbury blocked an Atlantic Hockey-best 22 shots across seven games in February. The Lomita, Calif. native’s effort on the defensive end moved him into ninth place on the Atlantic Hockey career blocked shots list with 215. He also chipped in on the offensive end with a goal and a pair of assists, with the goal being the game-winner against AIC on Feb. 3. He blocked at least four shots in four of the month’s seven games, including seven against AIC on Feb. 3, to match his career high. It was his third seven-block performance of the year.
The 23-year-old spent two seasons with the Salmon Arm Silverbacks from 2019 to 2021, including one as team captain, totaling 37 points in 74 career games.
ECAC Hockey Defender of the Week
Drake Burgin (D) – Junior – St. Lawrence University (Cranbrook Bucks)
Burgin’s strong play last weekend led the Saints to a 1-0-1 record. With less than two minutes remaining in regulation last Friday, the junior defender scored the game-tying goal on the power play and provided an assist on the game-winner in overtime, securing a 4-3 victory over Colgate. The following night, Burgin added another goal in a 2-2 tie against Cornell to finish the weekend with three points and a plus-one rating.
The 2000-born blueliner played the 2020-21 pod season with the Cranbrook Bucks, which was their inaugural year in the BCHL. He played in all 20 games and finished with two goals and three helpers.
ECAC Hockey Rookie of the Week
CJ Foley (D) – Freshman – Dartmouth College (Salmon Arm Silverbacks)
Foley was a big part of Dartmouth’s weekend sweep at Rensselaer and Union. The freshman recorded an assist on the game-winning goal in the opening frame, leading to a 5-1 victory against Rensselaer. Foley added a goal of his own the following night to defeat Union by a score of 5-4, concluding the weekend with two points.
The 19-year-old played the 2022-23 season with the Salmon Arm Silverbacks where he led the team in points from the back end, putting up seven goals and 20 assists in 48 regular-season games. He was also productive during Salmon Arm’s postseason run, contributing eight points in 14 games.
Hockey East Goaltender of the Week
Mathieu Caron – Junior – Boston University (Chilliwack Chiefs)
Highlighted by his 23-save shutout on Saturday against UConn, Caron collected two wins for the Terriers. He also stopped 26 of 27 shots in the series opener, a 6-1 win over the Huskies.
The Abbotsford, B.C. native played four seasons with the Chilliwack Chiefs from 2017 to 2021, manning the crease for a total of 126 regular-season games. He wrapped up his BCHL career with 67 wins, a .905 save percentage, a 2.67 goals-against average and eight shutouts.
