Taylor Haggerty (Fernie Ghostriders), Johnathan Strecheniuk (Beaver Valley Nitehawks), and Tyler Picha (Spokane Braves) have been selected as the Kootenay International Junior Hockey League 3 Stars of the Week for the period ending Nov. 24/24.
Haggerty – Top Forward – The Sherwood Park, Alta., native had four goals and five points along with a plus one rating in two games for the Ghostriders. In their 2-1 overtime win over the Creston Valley Thunder Cats on Nov. 22, Haggerty scored both goals. In their 5-4 win over the Kimberley Dynamiters, the captain scored their opening two goals and added an assist. The 6-0, 155-pound forward has 32 points in 17 games, which ranks him third among all KIJHL point producers. His 1.88 points-per-game is the best in the KIJHL.
Strecheniuk – Top Defenceman – The Edmonton, Alta., native had a goal and two assists and was plus three in two games for the Nitehawks in a pair of wins over the Castlegar Rebels. In their 3-1 win over the Rebels on Nov. 22, Strecheniuk assisted on the insurance goal late in the third period. In their 3-0 win over the Rebels on Nov. 23, the 6-0, 175-pound blueliner assisted on an insurance goal again, then scored the third goal. In 19 games, the rookie has four goals and 10 points and is plus four.
Picha – Top Goaltender – In two games, Picha had a loss and a win for the Braves, while posting a 1.51 goals against average and a .967 save percentage. The 18-year-old rookie from Littleton, Col., stopped 33 of 36 shots in a 3-2 loss to the Nelson Leafs on Nov. 22. Then on Nov. 23, Picha had a 55-save shutout in a 5-0 win over the Leafs. He saved 21 shots in the first and third period. In 13 games, Picha has two wins with a .901 SP and a 4.43 GAA.