Staff
Fort Frances Lakers’ forward Byron Katapaytuk is the recipient of the SIJHL Pizza Hut Player-of-the-Year award, the league announced this morning.
The 20-year-old from Moose Factory leads the SIJHL in scoring with 83 points (32 goals/51 assists) heading into the Lakers’ final game of the regular season tomorrow night against the Thunder Bay North Stars.
Katapaytuk edged out Wisconsin Wilderness goalie Tanner Milliron and Sioux Lookout Flyers’ forward Chris Hoffman for the award.
In addition to earning the league’s highest honour, Katapaytuk will represent the SIJHL as its nominee for the RBC Canadian Jr. ‘A’ player of the year, which will be announced during the Royal Bank Cup in Humboldt, Sask. in May.
Although he’s the first member of the Lakers’ franchise to win the SIJHL player-of-the-year award, Katapaytuk is the third player from a Fort Frances-based team to receive the honour.
Quinn Amiel won the award in 2008 with the Jr. Sabres while Kevin Webb took home the hardware in 2004 with the Borderland Thunder.
Katapaytuk is the second Laker to receive an SIJHL award this season, with Jordan Larson capturing rookie-of-the-year honours on Monday.
