Players of the Month

The Manitoba U18 AAA Hockey League is happy to announce Kelby Diehl of the Southwest Cougars as the CCM Hockey Forward of the Month for the month of February. Kelby is a heart and soul player for the Cougars. He plays anywhere in the lineup and never complains about his role. He is in his 3rd season with the Cougars and the team’s captain. “Diehler” was a big contributor in February, scoring 4 times and adding 6 assists in 10 games. When he found the net, it always seemed to be big goals for the Cougars. Away from the rink, Kelby is an athlete. He captains his Glenboro High School basketball team (averaging 27 points a game), and he is a key member of Glenboro and Pembina Hills AAA baseball team. Kelby is a prospect of the Niverville Nighthawks and has signed his Letter of Intent for the 2024-25 season with the Nighthawks.

The Manitoba U18 AAA Hockey League is pleased to announce Brock Assailly of the Winnipeg Bruins as the CCM Hockey Defenceman of the Month for the month of February. Brock, a grade 12 student from Winnipeg, is a second year Bruin and an assistant captain. Brock has continued his early season success and notched 3 goals and 6 assists in 9 games played during the month of February. Brock continues to be a hard working player who leads by example and possesses a positive attitude both on and off the ice. Brock is also a strong student in school, with an average in the 90’s. His MJHL rights are with Niverville and he has earned a commitment for the 2024-2025 season. Brock’s contributions to the team have been an important piece of the Bruins success this season.

The Manitoba U18 AAA Hockey League is pleased to announce Bryson Yaschyshyn of the Pembina Valley Hawks as the CCM Hockey Goaltender of the Month for the month of February. This month, the grade 12 goaltender from Morden won all 5 of his starts, earning a sparkling 1.40 GAA, .956 save percentage, and 2 shutouts. Bryson gives the Hawks an opportunity to win every night, and he provides solid leadership and mentorship in the room. In addition to his time with the Hawks, Bryson has been called upon in February to dress and play on multiple occasions with the Winkler Flyers of the MJHL. Recently, Bryson was named a first team all-star in the league. He currently sports a 14-9-2-1 record, a 2.44 GAA, and leads the league in both save percentage (.931) and shutouts (4), all while being among the league leaders in minutes played. Bryson is in his third year with the Hawks.

The Manitoba U18 AAA Hockey League is happy to announce Tyson Draper of the Southwest Cougars as the CCM Hockey Forward of the Month for the month of January. Tyson found his scoring touch in the month of January. He had a point in 8 out of 10 games. He had 7 goals, 8 assists, for 15 points, nearly doubling his point total on the year. For playing hard nosed physical game, he only accumulated 2 PIMS throughout the month. Tyson is in his first year with the Cougars after spending last season with the U17 Ice Bandits. He immediately stepped into a top 6 roll, finding early chemistry with his linemates. He currently leads the Cougars in powerplay goals with 7. His strong play this season has got him listed with the WHL Saskatoon Blades. He is also a prospect of his hometown Virden Oil Capitals of the MJHL. He made his MJHL debut in December, scoring his first MJHL goal.

The Manitoba U18 AAA Hockey League is pleased to announce Lane Apperley of the Pembina Valley Hawks as the CCM Hockey Defenceman of the Month for the month of January. In the month of January, Lane contributed 7 points in the Hawks 9 games – including two 2-point games this past weekend. In addition, he logged heavy minutes in key defensive situations this month during a heavy and tough schedule for the Hawks. Lane is a 2nd year player with the Hawks in his Grade 12 year, who has seen his game grow immensely over the past two seasons. The WC Miller (Altona) Collegiate student wears a letter for the Hawks, providing leadership for the squad, and is a prospect of the Niverville Nighthawks.

The Manitoba U18 AAA Hockey League is happy to announce Matthew Michta of the Brandon Wheat Kings as the CCM Hockey Goaltender of the Month for the month of January. In just his rookie season, Matthew Michta has found himself fighting for the top goalie in the league. The 16-year-old Brandon Wheat Kings goalie appeared in 5 games during the month of January winning all 5 games while posting a .931 Save Percentage and a GAA of just 1.40 which included 2 shutouts. His play in the month of January helped his team to a 11-0 record. Michta, a prospect of the Swan Valley Stampeders of the MJHL (drafted 81st overall) has earned wins in all of his 17 starts this season which puts him 1^st in the league in the wins category. He also leads the league in Save Percentage (.930) and Goals Against Average (1.71).

The Manitoba U18 AAA Hockey League is happy to announce Brady Turko of the Brandon Wheat Kings as the CCM Hockey Forward Of The Month. In the month of December, “Turks” scored 8 goals and added 5 assists for 13 points in just 6 games. His offense played a huge part in helping his team go 6-0-0 on the month. Currently Brady stands 1st in the league for Points, Goals, and is in 3rd for Assists. This is Brady’s second year with the team and is relied on heavily as one of Brandon’s top offensive forwards. His contribution this season has been instrumental in Brandon’s 23-0-1 record.

Brady was drafted in the 5th round, 97th overall to the Brandon Wheat Kings of the WHL. He is a second year player with the team, and is currently a grade 11 year student at Vincent Massey Highschool.

The Manitoba U18 AAA Hockey League is happy to announce Talon Hogg of the Interlake Lightning as the CCM Hockey Defenceman of the Month for the month of December.

In 6 games played in December, Talon registered 1 goal and 3 assists for 4 points. In 25 games played he has amassed 13 points. While modest numbers, Talon is every GM’s top priority because he is a right shot, right side defender that utilizes his size and strength to shut down players. He is also the quarterback on the power play and isn’t afraid to get shots through to the net. The grade 11 student from Warren is a prospect for the Swan Valley Stampeders of the MJHL

The Manitoba U18 AAA Hockey League is pleased to announce Micky Gross of the Southwest Cougars as the CCM Hockey Goaltender of the Month for the month of December. Micky appeared in 4 out of 5 games this month, starting 3 of them. He posted a 1.57 GAA, a .946 save percentage and had 1 shutout. Micky is from Cornwallis, Mb., but attends school at Crocus Plains in Brandon. He is a prospect of the Virden Oil Capitals, dressing for 2 games this year but yet to make his MJHL debut. Micky had been a pillar in the Cougars success year. His calm demeanour in the crease is infectious throughout the room. He currently has a .930 save percentage and 2 shutouts on the season, sitting at the top in both those statistical categories. He also sits second in the league with a 2.23 GAA.

The Manitoba U18 AAA Hockey League is pleased to announce Brandon Wheat Kings centremen Jaxon Jacobson as the CCM Hockey Forward of the Month for November. Jaxon put up an incredible 24 points in 8 games played during the month of November, averaging 3 points a game and helping his team to a 7-0-1 record. He found the net 9 times and added 15 assists throughout the month, which also included two 5-point games. His 24-point month has him tied for 2nd in league scoring with 30 points in just 10 games played. Jaxon was selected 5th overall by the Brandon Wheat Kings in the WHL draft this past summer. He was also the Captain of Team Manitoba at the WHL Cup, and helped the team win its first ever Gold Medal at the event.

The Manitoba U18 AAA Hockey League is please to announce Hudson Kowalchuk as the CCM Hockey Defenceman of the Month for November.

Hudson is a 15 year old playing in his first season with the U18 Wild. In the month of November, the 5’ 11”, 160lb defenseman scored 2 times and added another 8 assists for a total of 10 points in 10 games. He currently leads all Wild defensemen with a total of 15 points so far this season. Hudson plays in all situations with the Wild ,and his ability to defend, read the play, and join the rush is a great asset. In addition to being a major contributor on defense with the Wild, Kowalchuk is also currently tied for second in team plus/minus with a rating of +15. Hudson is a 4^th round draft pick (67^th overall) of the Regina Pats of the WHL

The Manitoba U18 AAA Hockey League is happy to announce Bryson Yaschyshyn of the Pembina Valley Hawks as the CCM Hockey Goaltender of the Month for November. Over 5 games played in November, “Yash” had a 2.74 GAA combined with an outstanding .917% save percentage, facing many high leverage chances, keeping things tight for the Hawks. Bryson is 1st among all goaltenders in the league with a .932% save percentage and is tied for 3rd with a GAA of 2.47. Being part of the leadership group, Bryson provides solid mentorship for the younger players and goaltender in the Hawks dressing room. He is a Grade 12 student at Morden Collegiate and is a prospect for the Winkler Flyers of the MJHL.

The Manitoba U18 AAA Hockey league is happy to announce Brock Assailly of the Winnipeg Bruins as the CCM Hockey Defenceman of the Month, for the month of October. Brock is a second year Bruin and an assistant captain for the team. Brock’s positive approach to the game has helped him contribute 8 points from the blue line, leading the Bruins to a 6-2-2 record to start the season. Brock started the season with a 6 game point streak and followed that up with a 2 point night in an OT win against Interlake on October 27th. Brock is a hard working player with a great attitude and that has helped earn a commitment from the Niverville Nighthawks of the MJHL for the 2024-2025 season! Brock’s contributions to the team have been an important piece of the Bruins early season success.

The Manitoba U18 AAA Hockey League is pleased to announce Micky Gross of the Southwest Cougars as the CCM Hockey Goaltender of the Month, for October. Micky picked up 4 wins in 5 starts, including 1 shutout. He posted a 2.20 GAA and .930 save percentage to place himself in the top 3 in both categories. The Cornwallis native is ind his second year with the Cougars, and is listed with the Virden Oil Capitals of the MJHL. A competitor at heart Micky remains focused in all situations; he does not panic in adversity and is not lazy when playing with the lead. Away from the rink, Mikey has taken an interest in welding.