St. Paul Canadiens Captain Jordyn Wozniak may have won awards and recognition, but the league’s most valuable player was quick to defer praise and put the focus back on the team.
“There’s enough talent in St. Paul and enough good players – it’s nice to see we finally have a winning team there,” he said. He noted that it’s that “well-rounded team that made it easier for me to come out with those scores.”
Before the Canadiens took to the ice at home in its Feb. 15 playoff game against the Lloydminster Bandits, North Eastern Alberta Junior B Hockey League president Ted Graling presented Wozniak with three awards, including league’s most valuable player, top defenceman and first all-star team. Wozniak scored 52 points in the regular season, with 11 goals and 41 assists, making him the second highest scoring defensive player after Wainwright’s Cody Bird.
Coach Joe Young commended Wozniak’s “calming” presence and his leadership on and off the ice. While he’s definitely been most valuable to the Canadiens, the coaches and the general managers that vote on the award could see his worth on the ice, he said.
“He’s helped our building process with our organization. If you can bring guys in with his skill and attitude and just how hard he works, on and off the ice, it’s a great add for the program,” said Young.
For Wozniak, it’s been “kind of neat” to play on the team alongside his brother and cousin, an experience he hadn’t had since he and his brother used to play in Atoms together.
The playoff experience has been a bonus and a good one for the team, said Wozniak, especially in teaching some of the younger players about high-stakes play in the post-season.
“You can’t take a shift off, and every shift is that much more important.”
In the playoffs against Lloydminster, the Canadiens notched the team’s first playoff win in nine years, and improved its regular season record to 23 wins and 13 losses, to end up standing in fourth place in the 10-team league.
Volunteers like Jon and Lisa Davies were a large part of that, as well “as lots of other people behind the scenes that don’t get the recognition,” said Wozniak.
“There’s no reason why St. Paul can’t have a competitive team, year out, and it’s nice to see we can be a part of that,” he said.
