It has been a memorable week for Bonnyville Jr. A Pontiacs assistant captain Blake Leask, who was named the 2011-12 Alberta Junior Hockey League's most outstanding defenceman on Feb. 22, after putting up 49 points in 55 games this season.
Just a few days earlier, the league's top defenceman made a commitment to attend the University of Alaska - Anchorage, accepting a scholarship to pursue post-secondary education and play hockey for the Seawolves starting this fall.
"It's been a wild ride these past few days," Leask said. "It feels awesome to be recognized like that. It's a big confidence booster and something positive to take going forward."
In his third full season with the Pontiacs, Leask put up 13 goals and 36 assists, including eight power play markers.
The 20-year-old explained how he put up those numbers as a defenceman on one of the top defensive teams in the league.
"Just shoot the puck. Get the puck to the net," he said. "A lot of my points came off rebounds and guys tapping it in. I owe a lot of credit to my teammates. You can't win an award by yourself."
For more on Leask's decision to attend university this fall and being chosen as the league's top defenceman check out next week's issue of the Bonnyville Nouvelle on Feb. 27.
