CANADIAN JUNIOR HOCKEY LEAGUE
CJHL Media Update
Release Date: Tuesday, April 30, 2024
CJHL announces its Top Forward Award finalists for 2023-24
TORONTO – The Canadian Junior Hockey League (CJHL) announced Tuesday the names of the five players that have been selected its Top Forward Award finalists for the 2023-24 campaign.
Each of the finalists were determined through a voting process completed by the CJHL’s nine-member leagues, for their respective efforts during the course of the regular season.
The following are the five nominees for CJHL Top Forward honours:
Luka Sukovic, Bonnyville Pontiacs (AJHL) – Bonnyville’s Sukovic was earlier named 2023-24 AJHL MVP and recipient of its Top Forward Award. … The Clarkson University NCAA D-I commit captured the AJHL Leading Goal Scorer Award with 35 goals and ended the regular season tied for third overall in the AJHL with 67 points (35G, 32A). … “Luka came in this season and has been the ideal teammate and player,” stated Pontiacs associate general manager Neil Langridge. “He wasn’t happy with how last year’s season went and he spent the entire off season dedicated to his craft. This season has been a testament to his hard work and dedication and now this acknowledgment from the other AJHL teams solidifies his success. We are proud of all his achievements and especially his commitment to Clarkson University.” The 2003-born centre earned recognition as the AJHL Player of the Month in January 2024, Player of the Week in February 2024, and was also selected as the Star of the Game seven times this season.
With files from Charla Flett, Executive Director (AJHL)
Spencer Bell, Humboldt Broncos (SJHL) – Bell led the SJHL in goals scored this season with 47. He finished second in overall points only to Kian Bell with 88. … He is committed to St. Lawrence University of NCAA Division I for season. … He is also one of the top face-off men in the league, and had 20 more points than the next leading scorer on the No. 3 seeded Broncos. … Spencer is a native of Warman, Sask., and is a 2003 birth year.
With files from Jamie Neugebauer & Clark Munroe, Co-Directors of Media (SJHL)
Dalton Andrew, Winkler Flyers (MJHL) – Winkler’s Andrew led the MJHL in scoring this season with 82 points in 54 games, including supplying a league-leading 43 goals and seven game-winners. … Andrew piled on the points in the second half of the season, which included a single game seven-point performance where he scored five goals and add two assists, the highest single total in an MJHL game this season. … Andrew also led the MJHL in points-per-game average with 1.52. … The native of Brandon, Man., was also named an MJHL First Team All-Star and earned the Mike Ridley Trophy as the MJHL’s Top Scorer.
With files from Eric Swar, Director, Marketing & Partnerships (MJHL)
Trevor Hoskin, Cobourg Cougars (OJHL) – First-team All-Star Trevor Hoskin of the Cobourg Cougars was the recipient of the OJHL’s MVP and Leading Scorer awards for 2023-24. … Hoskin finished the regular season with 100 points. … He accumulated points at an astounding clip of 1.92 per game. … His 42 goals included nine game-winners, four while shorthanded and nine on the power play. … Hoskin missed four games while representing the OJHL at the World Junior A Hockey Challenge in Nova Scotia in December. … He was named to the all-tournament team after leading Team Canada East to the silver medals. …. An assistant captain in Cobourg this season, the third-year Cougar is committed to NCAA Division I Niagara University for next season, following his MVP performance at the Eastern Canada All-Star Challenge in Trenton, Ont. … A rookie season of 29 points was followed by 61 in 2022-23, only to be totally upstaged by this year’s century mark. “Trevor is a very important member to our team,” current Cobourg Coach Connor Armour said. “Seeing him develop not only as a player but also a person has been fun to watch. He’s got a bright future in hockey.”
With files from Jim Mason, Director of Communications (OJHL)
Alex Blais, Rangers de Montreal (LHJAAAQ) – Blais went on to be the LHJAAAQ’s top scorer in 2023-24 with 92 points. … Led the league with 66 assists. … Had six four-point games and three five-point games, including three hat tricks. … Ended the season with a stellar plus-27 differential. … Recorded five PPG, four game-winner and was only assessed four minor penalties. … Represented Hockey Canada two years in a row at events. … Finished the season with point-per-game average of 2.19. … Served as captain of Team Perron at the Eastern Canada Cup All-Star Challenge. … Was an assistant captain with Team Canada East at the World Junior A Challenge. … Was listed on the NHL Draft List at 17 playing for Chicoutimi. … Named LHJAAAQ player of the week for the period ending December 22.
With files from Francis Dupont, Director of Communications (LHJAAAQ)
Earning honourable mention status for the CJHL Top Forward Award in 2023-24 were:
Jace Letourneau, Renfrew Wolves (CCHL); Ludovic Dufort, Miramichi Timberwolves (MHL); Lucas Signoretti, Espanola Paper Kings (NOJHL) & Owen Riffel, Sioux Lookout Bombers (SIJHL).
PHOTO CREDITS
Sukovic: Dave Watling Photography
Bell: Herbie Alimpuyo
Andrew: Ryan Sawatzky
Hoskin: Shawn Muir / OJHL Images
Blais: Tobi-Lynne P. Payne
CJHL CONTACTS
Andy Harkness
President
Canadian Junior Hockey League
aharkness@cjhlhockey.com (Email)
Tom Annelin
Director of Communications
Canadian Junior Hockey League
annelin@cjhlhockey.com (Email)
cjhlhockey.com (W)
@cjhlhockey (X)