CONNOR MCGRATH NAMED CJHL’S TOP FORWARD

With files/Written by: CJHL

CALGARY, Alta. – The Canadian Junior Hockey League announced Monday that Connor McGrath of the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League’s Humboldt Broncos has been selected as its Top Forward Award recipient for the 2021-22 season.

McGrath collected the honour over fellow finalists: T.J. Hughes, Brooks Bandits (AJHL); Maxime Gagné, Collège Français de Longueuil (LHJAAAQ); Justin Svenson, Winkler Flyers (MJHL) and Dalton Bancroft, Trenton Golden Hawks (OJHL), in a national voting process completed by each of the nine leagues that comprise the CJHL.

Heading to Ferris State University (CCHA) on a NCAA Division I scholarship, McGrath had a phenomenal year in Humboldt.

During the course of the regular season, the 18-year-old LeRoy, Sask., product paced the Broncos, and all SJHL skaters, in scoring with 84 points, in 56 games played, on 35 tallies and 49 assists.

Also earning his league’s rookie of the year laurels, McGrath boasted two of the longest point streaks in the SJHL during the campaign.

This featured a league-high 14-game heater from late November to mid-January as well as a 12-game-run from late October to mid-November.

Boasting 27 multi-point performances during the course of the season, McGrath was only held off the game sheet, on multiple occasions, just once throughout his 56 outings.

In all, he finished at, or near the top, in many offensive categories, including: Points (1st); Goals (3rd); Assists (Tie-1st); Power Play Assists (1st) and Game-winning Goals (T-2nd).

He was equally adept in many of the same areas, among SJHL rookies.

Of note, McGrath was recently slotted 146th overall, among North American skaters, in the final National Hockey League Central Scouting draft rankings, released back on May 5.

With files from Logan Fraser, Director of Marketing & Communications (SJHL)

Photo credit: Marla Possberg Photography