There were no roster spots for Prince George Spruce Kings on the B.C. Hockey League's first or second all-star teams but defenceman Layton Ahac obviously drew the attention of the league's play-by-play broadcasters who picked the teams.
He was named to the BCHL's all-rookie team.
That's not a surprise considering the impact Ahac has had stepping into his role of an everyday blueliner in the BCHL. In his rookie season, coming up from the West Vancouver Elite 15s midget team, Ahac scored six goals and had 22 assists for 28 points in 57 games.
As good as he was at generating offence, it was the poise he showed shutting down opponents, clearing his own zone carrying the puck and making crisp, accurate breakout passes that made him one of the league's most coveted defencemen, in the eyes of NCAA college scouts. They've been on the trail of the North Vancouver native since the summer, when he came close to making the cut at Hockey Canada's Under-17 camp to play in the World Junior A Hockey Challenge.
Ahac had multiple NCAA scholarship offers on the table this winter when he decided to sign with Ohio State University for the full ride. He's committed to the Buckeyes starting in 2019 and that's good news for Spruce Kings fans who can expect to see him for at least one more season.
First things first, Ahac still has what he hopes will be many games yet to come this season in the playoffs as the Spruce Kings head into the second round against the Surrey Eagles starting Friday night in Prince George.
Five Wenatchee Wild players made the all-star/rookie lists, including first-team forward Jasper Weatherby and defenceman Cooper Zech; second-team forward AJ Vanderbeck and defenceman Slava Demin; and rookie-team goalie Seth Eisele.
Three Penticton Vees, two Vernon Vipers, two Trail Smoke Eaters and two Eagles were selected.
The list includes Vees defenceman Jonny Tychonick (first team), goalie Adam Scheel (second team) and defenceman Nick Leivermann; Vipers goalie Ty Taylor and defenceman Michael Ufberg (second team); Trail forwards Kale Howarth (first team) and Levi Glasman (rookie team); and Eagles forwards John Wesley and Ty Westgard (both second team)
Rookie extraordinaire Alex Newhook of the Victoria Grizzlies, already touted as the second-ranked prospect for the 2019 NHL draft, made the first team and the rookie team. Newhook, a just-turned 17-year-old native of St. John's Nfld., finished eighth in the BCHL scoring race with 22 goals and 66 points, despite missing 13 games due to an injury. He's committed to Boston College for 2019-20.
The all-rookie list also included Alberni Valley Bulldogs forward Keaton Mastrodonato.
BCHL 2017-18 all-star teams
First Team
F Jasper Weatherby, Wenatchee Wild
F Alex Newhook, Victoria Grizzlies
F Kale Howarth, Trail Smoke Eaters
D Cooper Zech, Wenatchee Wild
D Jonny Tychonick, Penticton Vees
G Ty Taylor, Vernon Vipers
Second Team
F John Wesley, Surrey Eagles
F Ty Westgard, Surrey Eagles
F AJ Vanderbeck, Wenatchee Wild
D Michael Ufberg, Vernon Vipers
D Slava Demin, Wenatchee Wild
G Adam Scheel, Penticton Vees
All-Rookie Team
F Alex Newhook, Victoria Grizzlies
F Levi Glasman, Trail Smoke Eaters
F Keaton Mastrodonato, Alberni Valley Bulldogs
D Layton Ahac, Prince George Spruce Kings
D Nick Leivermann, Penticton Vees
G Seth Eisele, Wenatchee Wild
