Steinbach Pistons’ goaltender Roman Bengert is one of six nominees for the CJHL Top Goaltender Award. Bengert is now one of three MJHL players nominated for a CJHL award: Brady Keeper (OCN/Top Defenceman) and Jeremey Leipsic (Portage/Top Forward).
Bengert, who hails from Cole Harbour, NS, led the MJHL in three goaltending categories: wins (38), minutes played (2,743) and shutouts (five). In fact, his 38 wins were tops among all CJHL goaltenders. His efforts resulted in him winning the MJHL Top Goaltender Award and he was also named a first-team, all-star selection. Bengert was twice chosen MJHL Goaltender for the month and picked up one league Player of the Week honour.
At six-foot-three-inches, Bengert casts a large physical presence in the net. Next season he’s committed to Lake Superior State University of the NCAA.
Winners of the CJHL awards will be announced later this month.
Other nominees for Top Goaltender are:
AJHL: Logan Drackett, Calgary Canucks: The 19-year-old from Calgary, Alta., was earlier named the AJHL’s top goaltender for 2016-17. Was also a finalist for AJHL MVP honours. Drackett finished among the Top 5 AJHL netminders with a 2.35 goals-against average and .918 save percentage. He recorded the second-most shutouts in his league with six, wins at 29 and minutes played with 2,788. Drackett represented the AJHL at the 2016 World Junior A Challenge as a member of Team Canada West. He was a three-time recipient of the AJHL Defensive Player of the Week Award in 2016-17 while being selected Star of the Game eight times. He was earlier named to the 2016-17 AJHL South Division All-League Team.
CCHL: Henry Johnson, Brockville Braves: Finished up his final year of Jr. ‘A’ by earning his second straight CCHL Top Goaltender Award. The native of Minneapolis, Minn., is considered very athletic, with quick reflexes, good focus and concentration. Johnson finished second in the CCHL in saves with 1,502 while leading his 12-team league in save percentage at .929 SV%. Was credited as being a main reason for Brockville making the playoffs. Has committed to Bemidji State University for 2017-18 on NCAA D-I scholarship. Went 25-18 on the year with a 2.56 GAA, his .929 save mark and two shutouts.
NOJHL: Nate McDonald, Powassan Voodoos: The 17-year-old North Bay, ON, product was instrumental in leading Powassan to their first place finish in the overall NOJHL standings and their initial league regular season title in franchise history. McDonald led all NOJHL netminders in goals-against average at 2.159 and wins with 30. He was also third in save percentage at .923 and finished tied for second in shutouts with three while playing the fourth-most minutes in the league at 2,112. McDonald was also a member of Team NOJHL at the Eastern Canada Challenge Cup.
OJHL: Josh Astorio, Georgetown Raiders: The 20-year old Niagara Falls, ON, native was a rock between the pipes for the Raiders during his first season in the OJHL, helping lead the club to a third consecutive West Division and South-West Conference regular season title, while also capturing the OJHL regular season championship for the first time since 2011-12. Was named OJHL Goaltender-of-the-Month in January. Posted an impressive 28-3-2 record for the league’s second-best win total, along with two shutouts. The 1st Team All-Star allowed just 67 goals against this season in 35 games played for a 1.93 goals against average which also ranked second-best to finish as runner-up for the OJHL Top Goaltender Award (lowest GAA), while his 974 saves saw him post the OJHL’s best save percentage at .936%. Had three win streaks of five or more, including a nine-game run. SJHL: Kristian Stead, Nipawin Hawks: Stead was a double award recipient in the SJHL in 2016-17. Not only was he named the league’s top goaltender for his efforts in net, but he was chosen as the SJHL’s Most Valuable Player. The 20-year-old Merritt, BC product led all SJHL netminders in wins with 29. Stead also shared top spot in league save percentage at .936 and led the way in the 12-team SJHL in shutouts with seven. His 1.97 goals-against average ranked him third overall. His win, average and save mark totals all represented personal career single season highs. Stead has committed to attend the University of Alaska-Anchorage on NCAA Division I Scholarship where he will play for the Seawolves hockey program.
