Josh Romanik top sniper in Westman High School Hockey League

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This article was published 19/12/2023 (744 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Josh Romanik can boast a league-best 31 helpers playing for the Vincent Massey Vikings.

That means he’s been part of 31 goals scored by the second-place Vikings (12-2-0-0) in the Westman High School Hockey League.

He’s also tallied 15 goals, and combined with his helpers, is leading the WHSHL scoring race with 46 points.

Romanik had a three-point night, including two goals, to pace the Vikings to a 6-2 victory facing their cross-town rivals Crocus Plainsmen (7-8-0-1) on Sunday night at Flynn Arena.

Carter Dittmer also scored twice, while single markers went to Doran Duncliffe and Josh Ransom.

Landon Nadeau and Will Galatiuk answered for the ninth-place Plainsmen.

Vikings goalie Sawyer Wallin recorded his league-best 10th victory in 11 outings. He’s the top puck stopper with a minimum of 400 minutes played, sporting a 1.55 GAA and .942 save percentage. He’s also collected three shutouts.

It will be a battle of WHSHL goaltenders on Wednesday when the Vikings host the fourth-place Neepewa Tigers (10-0-0-0). Wallin will face at the other end of Flynn Arena Harley Smith-Bellisle, who is 8-0-0, with a 1.75 GAA and .976 save percentage. He has one shutout.

The Vikings only trail the first-place Dauphin Clippers (12-2-0-1) by a single point, with most teams having a few games left before their Christmas break.

Highlights from the league’s top-10 snipers: Romanik is up three points on scoring race runner-up Ozy Atkinson of the Minnedosa/Erickson Chancellors. He has 16 goals and 43 points.

The Chancellors have another top-10 scorer — Jaden Trotz, in fourth spot. He has 21 goals and 42 points.

Teammate Dittmer is third in scoring, with a league-high 24 goals and 42 points. He’s two points up on Connor Martin, who plays for the Killarney/Wawanesa Raiders. In fifth place, he has 20 goals and 40 points.

Martin’s skills on the ball diamond have not gone unnoticed during hockey season — the left-handed pitcher recently signed to join next fall’s class of 2024 with the Valley City State University (VCSU) Vikings baseball team. The Nesbitt resident was one of eight early signees announced by the North Dakota program.

The Sandy Bay Badgers might be in 15th place in the 16-team league, but Riley Kleinsasser is sixth in the scoring race, with 26 goals and 39 points.

He’s three points better than the top scorer for the Crocus Plainsmen. Nadeau, who scored five goals in his team’s 11-7 win on Dec. 16 over the Badgers, has 18 goals and 36 points.

Brady Burghart of the Swan Valley Tigers is in eighth, with 10 goals and 32 points. Galatiuk is ninth, with 15 goals and 32 points, while another Vincent Massey forward is 10th. Nash Stone has 14 goals and 32 points.

The league has acknowledged a few more players who have excelled during the 2023-24 season.

Neepewa Tigers forward Tarek Lapointe, a 12th grader in his third year with the team, demonstrates strong leadership with his work ethic and dedication to the high school’s program.

He was named team captain and is 12th in league scoring with 17 goals and 30 points.

Smart, too, with Lapointe maintaining an academic overall average of 93 per cent.

According to the Tigers coaches, “Tarek is a player who is relied upon in all situations in a game. His strength in the corners and the speed of his shot are just a few things that allow Tarek to succeed.”

When he’s not wearing Neepewa’s school colours on the ice, he also competes on the Tigers football and track teams.

Atkinson is a player who wears the ‘C’ for his team. A veteran on the Chancellors roster, his coaches acknowledge: “Ozy plays at full speed and intensity in every practice and game, and the results of his effort show in his stats and the team record.

“He plays in all situations, as well as playing both forward and defence.”

Off the ice, Atkinson is pursuing his passion for cars and has started his mechanics/autobody apprenticeship.

The captain on his team, Tyler Robertson leads the Boissevain Broncos from the blueline. The 12th grader has scored once and added five helpers, three of them on the powerplay.

According to his coaches, “Tyler has a natural ability to generate offensive opportunities when the puck is on his stick.

“Tyler can also slow the play down when needed and wait for the play to develop to make a strong play. He works hard to control the game and his competitiveness gives (his team) a great chance to be successful.”

A natural leader, Robertson is known for his willingness to volunteer to help out with different events in his community.

In his third season with the RGG Raiders, defenceman Reese Andres brings leadership and commitment to his role on the team as a captain.

Off the ice, Andres is a model student who maintains excellent academic grades. Besides playing hockey for the Raiders, he also participates in volleyball, baseball and track.

His coaches acknowledge, “On the ice, Reese brings hard work, great defensive play and ability to move or rush the puck.

“No matter the class or sport Reese participates in, he brings a positive attitude, effort and commitment of a leader.”

» The Brandon Sun