Staff
Dylan Robertson is the best of the best.
The Fort Frances Lakers’ captain rode his SIJHL scoring title to the Amyotte’s Awards & Promotions Most Valuable Player, the league announced yesterday.
Dryden GM Ice Dogs’ defenceman Kyle Pouncy and Thunder Bay North Stars’ goalie Riley Corbin were the other candidates.
It was Robertson’s second year-end award after being named the league’s top defensive forward last week.
The 20-year-old from Atlanta led the points parade for most of the season in finishing with 31 goals and a league-high 57 assists in 53 games.
Robertson, who was the league’s Gongshow Gear performer-of-the-month for February, was second to Nicholas Nigro (North Stars) in goal scoring by one.
But he had the most game-winning tallies with seven, as well as a 15-game point-scoring streak that was the longest in the SIJHL this season.
Robertson, named Wednesday to the league’s First All-Star team at forward, is the fourth Fort Frances player to claim the MVP trophy, with the last one being Byron Katapaytuk in 2011-12.
He will be the SIJHL’s nominee for the CJHL MVP award.
In related news, the Lakers kick off their march towards a third-straight SIJHL crown tonight when they host the English River Miners in Game 1 of their best-of-seven semi-final series at 7:30 p.m. at the Ice For Kids Arena.
Fort Frances will be a heavy favourite after sweeping the season series 14-0, outscoring the Miners 65-22 in the process.
Four of the games, though, were decided by one goal, including a 5-4 overtime win here March 20 to close out the regular season.
As well, the Miners should be energized after rallying from a two-game deficit to upset the Minnesota Iron Rangers 3-2 in their best-of-five first-round series.
The teams will take tomorrow night off due to the Miners hosting a fundraising event in Ear Falls that already was scheduled.
That means Game 2 will take place Sunday at the Ice For Kids Arena, with a special start time of 6:30 p.m.
Games 3 and 4 will be at the Cochenour Arena next Wednesday and Thursday.
Game 5, if necessary, is slated for Saturday, April 9 at 7:30 p.m. at the Ice For Kids Arena.
A Game 6 would be back in Red Lake on April 11, with Game 7 set for here April 13 at 7:30 p.m.
The other semi-final pits the GM Ice Dogs versus the North Stars.
