Courtesy of TheCarillon.com – Picture Courtesy of Adeline Loewen Photography
Steinbach Pistons’ forward Cole Smith has been named the Manitoba Junior Hockey League’s RBC Player of the Month for April.
Smith, 20, had 10 points on four goals and six assists in eight playoff games in April, including the five-game final series against the Portage Terriers as the Terriers claimed the MJHL crown.
The native of Brainerd, Minnesota, Smith will suit up for the UND Fighting Hawks next season after spending the past two seasons with the Pistons. Runners-up for the award were two members of the Terriers, forward Brad Bowles and defenceman Brett Orr.
Meanwhile, Orr was named the MJHL’s Defenceman of the Month while Ryan Carlson of the Pistons was a runner-up.
Goaltender of the Month went to Nathan Park of the Portage Terriers with Roman Bengert of the Pistons a runner-up.
And finally, Jeremey Leipsic of the Terriers was named Rookie of the Month, beating out Mackenzie Graham of the Pistons.
Meanwhile, the Terriers, the defending national champions, and after beating the Pistons in the MJHL finals for the second year in a row, are off to a great start at the Crescent Point Western Canada Cup at Estevan. The Terriers sit atop the standings after edging the Melfort Mustangs 2-1 and the Estevan Bruins 3-2.
Two of the five teams at the Western Canada, which wraps up on Sunday, advance to the RBC Cup at Lloydminster later this month.