The accolades just keep coming for Bonnyville Pontiacs forward Bobby McMann and defenceman Brinson Pasichnuk.
One month after McMann was named AJHL MVP and Pasichnuk had the title of league's top defenceman bestowed upon him, the two Pontiacs were unanimously selected to the North Division All-League team.
“It is just reflective of the type of seasons they were able to have,” said Bonnyville head coach and GM Rick Swan, who wasn't the least bit surprised about the selections.
Goaltender Alex Leclerc (Lloydminster), defenceman Christian Lloyd (Lloydminster), forward Tyler Busch (Spruce Grove) and forward Ryan Kruper (Sherwood Park) round out the North Division All-League team.
McMann and Pasichnuk were the only two unanimous selections to the team, receiving votes from every single AJHL head coach and GM. Looking at the gaudy numbers the two players were able to put up during 2015-'16 campaign it's no wonder they received another award.
The Pontiacs offensive leaders tore up the AJHL this season leading Bonnyville to their best record (40-11-9) in franchise history. McMann's speed, skill and lethal shot allowed him to finish among the league leaders, as he notched 36 goals (2nd), nine game winning goals (1st), 68 points (7th) and scored at a 1.4 points-per-game pace (tied for 1st).
“His ability to shoot the puck like a pro, being a big body that is hard to contain, and his ability to be able to doing things at a high speed makes him a no brainer for that selection,” said Swan.
“What makes him different than anybody else is the commitment he has to getting better everyday. Bobby is the first one on the ice and he is the last one off the ice. He is continually pushing himself.”
The Wainwright native has committed to Colgate University Raiders Division I hockey program in the NCAA for the 2016-'17 season. He leaves the AJHL after collecting 68 goals and 129 points in 152 games in a Pontiacs uniform.
The 19-year-old centre had the benefit of being surrounded by some highly skilled players during his time in Bonnyville. One of those players was Pasichnuk, an 18-year-old Bonnyville native who lit up the AJHL in just his second Jr. A season.
Even though he was a defenceman, Pasichnuk finished the year three points back of McMann, notching 20 goals and 65 points in 52 games and setting a new Pontiacs record for most goals and points by a defenceman in the process.
“He is an offensive defenceman with real quick feet and his offensive instincts are at another level. He does things that you can't teach,” said Swan. “He knows when to jump into the rush and he has a keen sense of being able to create offense by joining the rush and being able to get pucks through off of the blueline.”
Pasichnuk made the Pontiacs out of training camp as a 16-year-old in 2014 and forced himself into a regular role in the lineup. His play continued to improve game after game and resulted in him quickly becomes one of the best blueliners in the game.
This past season he led all AJHL defenceman in goals (20), assists (45), points (65), and game winning goals (5), while taking home player of the week and player of the month honours.
While the McMann and Pasichnuk year-end selections didn't surprise Swan, he was a bit shocked to not see a Pontiac selected to the North Division All-Rookie team.
Forwards Brandon Whistle (19 goals, 42 points), Derek Brown (19 goals, 40 points) and Zack Mills (19 goals, 35 points) and were second, third and eighth in North Division rookie scoring.
Goaltender Olivier Charest, a 20-year-old, who was technically an AJHL rookie this season led the league in shutouts (6) and was fourth in goals against average (2.39).
“I can't imagine how close the voting was for those guys to be left off the rookie team,” said Swan. “I guess we can't have them all, but from my point of view I am a bit surprised at least one of those guys wasn't put on that team.”
