MOST VALUABLE PLAYER
Winner: Ilia Ejov, Melfort Mustangs
(28-8-2-2, 4SO, 2.01, .925)
If there was ever a player that arrived in the SJHL and immediately turned around his team’s fortunes, it might be Ejov. When the Mustangs secured his Junior ‘A’ rights, they were 5-and-8 and on the brink of languishing in the 4th and 5th spot in the Itech Conference. As soon as Ejov took over the crease, the Mustangs embarked on a streak of 17 straight games in which they picked up a point. Since arriving, Ejov has appeared in 40 of 44 games, seldom showing signs of fatigue. He has racked up a 27-7-2-and-2 record with a 2.01-GAA and a .925-SPCT. Ejov also has four shutouts. He joined Humboldt’s Taylor Nelson in establishing a new SJHL single season GAA mark at 2.01, breaking the old mark held by former Weyburn goalie Russell Monette (2.25). Ejov’s future aspirations likely lie in the minor pro ranks or the CIS. He played 91-games in the QMJHL in the two years leading up to his tenure in Melfort.