Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League

Minnoch, Rioux Shine in December Players of the Month

The SJHL has announced its Players of the Month for December, and a pair of Melfort Mustangs are recognized as part of the awards.

Kevin Minnoch has been named Defenceman of the Month, while David Rioux has been named Rookie of the Month.

 

#55 Kevin Minnoch – SuperU Defenceman of the Month: (7gp, 4G, 8A, 12 Pts)

What a month it was for Kevin Minnoch! The 20-year-old Defenceman was a force to be reckoned with in December as he scored four goals and added eight assists over seven games. His 12 points were tied for third among all skaters in the month, and first among defencemen. The next closest defender to him in points was his own partner on the blue line, Hayden Tuba who had nine points on the month. The Sherwood Park, Alta. product had four multi-point games in December and is currently on a three game point streak where he’s earned eight points. Minnoch was named Defenceman of the Week twice in three weeks in December.

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#45 David Rioux – DirectWest Rookie of the Month: (7gp, 5G, 3A, 8 Pts)

David Rioux continues to make a name for himself in the SJHL. The Lorraine, QC. product scored five times in December, and added three assists in seven games. His five goals were tied for the most on the Mustangs, and tied for third in the SJHL over that stretch. Rioux earned points in five of a possible seven games in December and scored twice on December 2, against Yorkton. He’s scored three goals in his last four games heading into 2023.

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Honourable Mention: #31 James Venne

With some of the best goaltending the SJHL has seen in recent years, each week, and month, tough decisions are going to be made. This month, Mustangs netminder Jaems Venne was nothing short of stellar for the Melfort Mustangs, however did not win Goalie of the Month. Venne was 4-0 in the month and allowed only six goals on 116 shots, good for a .948 save percentage and a 1.47 goals-against-average. He also earned a shutout against the Yorkton Terriers on December 2.