By Derek Van Diest /
Tyler Gron was one of five AJHL players that took part in the Heartland Credit Union CJAHL Prospects game in Winker, Man.
Gron, 18, went into the game as the Fort McMurray Oil Barons leading scorer with 20 goals and 48 pointss in 37 games this season.
The native of Spruce Grove was the only AJHL North representative on the West squad which also included a trio of Camrose Kodiaks and Taylor Gal of the Brooks Bandits.
Gron was held off the scoresheet as Team East defeated Team West 5-3 in the contest.
The day before Gron took part in the skills competition, helping the West win the Breakaway Relay competition on their way to a 6-4 overall win.
The Oil Barons continue to lead the way in the North Division.
Heading towards the Christmas break, the Oil Barons are first in the North Division ahead of the hard-charging Spruce Grove Saints.
The Saints were one of the hottest teams in the league through the end of November and into December.
Through Dec. 15, the Saints had not lost a game in regulation play in over a month.
Prior to that date, their last regulation loss came on Nov. 7 when they fell 4-1 to the Sherwood Park Crusaders.
Led by Shane Lehman, Jordan Kary and Adam Henderson, the Saints are pushing the Oil Kings for top spot in the division.
Lehman, 19, has already doubled his point-total from last season with 17 goals and 33 assists in 37 games.
A year ago, the St. Albert product had 7 goals in 17 assists in 49 regular-season games.
Kary, 20, a three-year veteran is second in team scoring with 21 goals and 20 assists in 37 games, while Henderson, 18, in his second year has 16 goals and 20 assists in 36 games.
St. Albert Steel goaltender Scott MacInnis is making the most of his opportunity this season.
After spending most of last season on the Fort Saskatchewan Traders bench watching all-star Shannon Szabados shine, MacInnis is backstopping a young Steel squad as the starter this year.
The 19-year-old Edmonton native had a winning record through the middle of December despite the fact the Steel are near the bottom of the North Division standings.
MacInnis has 13 of the team¹s 15 wins through Dec. 15.
After an impressive 2006-2007 season where the then Traders won a league-leading 45 games, then bowed to the Camrose Kodiaks in the league championship, the Steel, who relocated to St. Albert following the season, are going through a rebuilding phase.
They have 12 rookies on this year’s roster — including backup goaltender Mark Kotylak — and are counting on MacInnis’ leadership both on and off the ice. |
