October 2023 | The Manitoba Junior Hockey League is pleased to announce the monthly players awards supported by RBC, SAFE Work Manitoba, Original 16, Chevrolet and Manitoba Pork:
RBC PLAYER OF THE MONTH
Nolan Chastko (’05) Virden Oil Capitals
10GP | 8G | 6A | 14PTS
Chastko has been a driving force behind the early success of the Oil Caps’ this season and currently sits 4th in MJHL scoring. In October, the Brandon native had a pair of 3-point games and one 4-point night. Of his other highlights in the month of October, Chaskto scored one shorthanded marker, two game winning goals and a shootout winner all while taking just one minor penalty. Heading into November, Chastko and the Oil Caps’ sit at the top of the MGEU West Division.
Photo Credit: Todd Pederson
SAFE WORK MANITOBA DEFENSEMAN OF THE MONTH
Anthony Bax (’03) Dauphin Kings
9GP | 4G | 9A | 13PTS
The second-year defender has enjoyed a breakout start with the Dauphin Kings and holds the highest points-per-game (1.25) amongst defenseman in the MJHL. Bax put together four, multi-point outings for the Kings including a 3-point night and 4-point night where he had a hat-trick and one assist. He also added 3 goals on the man-advantage which sits at a league-high of 28.1%. The Kings currently sit one point back of the MGEU West division lead with three games in hand on the 1st place Oil Caps’.
Photo Credit: Jonathan Kozub
ORIGINAL 16 GOALTENDER OF THE MONTH
Eric Reid (’03) Virden Oil Capitals
9GP | 7W | 1.90GAA | .924SV% | 1SO
Veteran goaltender, Eric Reid has been another key part in the Oil Caps’ early season success, playing in 13 of 15 games. Reid led the Oil Caps’ to 7 wins in 9 games during the month of October and added his second shutout of the season early in the month in a win over the Wolverines. Reid is currently tied for the league-lead in wins (9) and has played the most minutes of any goaltender (779). He also sits in the top five of goals against average (2.23).
Photo Credit: Todd Pederson
CHEVROLET ROOKIE OF THE MONTH
Grady Hoffman (’05) Steinbach Pistons
7GP | 8G | 4A | 12PTS
What a hot start it has been for Pistons rookie, Grady Hoffman who has 10 goals in 10 games to sit in a tie for the MJHL lead in goal scoring. Hoffman scored at least one goal in 6 of 7 games during the month of October that included two on the powerplay, one shorthanded and two, 2-goal performances. Hoffman sits in a tie for the league-lead in rookie scoring with 14 points and leads the way in points-per-game amongst rookies (1.40).
Photo credit: Jonathan Kozub
MANITOBA PORK PEAK PERFOMER
Kaycee Coyle (’04)
11GP | 4G | 9A | 13PTS
Another player who has got off to a torrid start is none other than Nighthawks defenseman, Kaycee Coyle. The 19-year-old sits 6th in overall league scoring and first amongst defenseman in the MJHL. His most impressive game in the month of October came in a four-point outing, where he scored 2 goals and 2 assists in a 5-2 win over the Dauphin Kings at the MJHL Showcase. The native of Oakbank had points in 8 of 11 games in October and is a big contributor to the Nighthawks powerplay (22%) success.
Photo Credit: Jonathan Kozub
