Former Pass hockey goalie receives MVP award in SJHL
Herald contributor photo
Alex Wakaluk in action during his one of his games with the Melville Millionaires. Wakaluk was named Player of the Year in the 2012-2013 SJHL Awards.
LINDSAY GOSS
Pass Herald Reporter
Former Crowsnest Pass resident Alex Wakaluk was recently named Most Valuable Player of the Year in the 2012-2013 Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League, (SJHL) Awards, as announced on February 22nd.
“It’s a real honour,” said Wakaluk. “Nobody goes into the season expecting an award like that, but I worked hard this season and it paid off.”
Wakaluk came from Bellevue, and first played on local Crowsnest Pass hockey teams before moving to Lethbridge to advance his hockey career. While in Lethbridge, Wakaluk won a goaltender award for the south division.
When he was 18, Wakaluk tried out for the Melville Millionaires and made the team. He backstopped the Melville Millionaires, his team for the past year, to one of the best records in the SJHL, while being one of the busiest net minders in the SJHL.
He appeared in 44 of the teams 52 games and sits third overall in goals against average with 2.31 GAA (goals against average,), all the while being the last line of defense on a club that has struggled to put together a blue line worthy of being considered comparable to the other teams in the league.
Wakaluk has a 2.31 GAA and has an SPCT (save percentage) of .930, which ranks second in the league.
His back-ups this year have posted a combined GAA of over 3.00 and a SPCT well under .9000.
But all the success Wakaluk has received was earned. He said that the Millionaires work strenuous hours, often training six days a week, putting in full days of work out time and ice time. Wakaluk leads all goalies in wins and is second in minutes played, as well as second in shutouts with five. He has faced more rubber than any other goalies in the league, seeing an average of well over 32 shots a night.
“The ultimate goal is get a scholarship from playing junior hockey,” said Wakaluk. “From the scholarship, I want to go to university and play for the school’s team.” Wakaluk said that he has plans to study something along the lines of math or science.
But no matter where he goes in life, Wakaluk said that he would never forget where he came from. “People from the Pass have been awesome. I want to thank my family,” said Wakaluk. “The Melville Millionaires hope to play all the way through April and try to win the league championships.
The first playoff game will be March 8th.
