THUNDER BAY, Ont. – The Superior International Junior Hockey League announced Tuesday that Nick Lucas of the Fort Frances Lakers and Alex Maticic of the Thunder Bay North Stars have been named co-recipients of the SIJHL’s Most Sportsmanlike Player award for the 2017-18 campaign.
The winners were determined in voting done by each of the SIJHL’s member clubs.
Also earning a nomination as a finalist for this award was Michael Johnson of the Thief River Falls Norskies.
As a first-year player in the league, Lucas incurred just eight minor penalties in 53 games for Fort Frances.
He also had no infractions his final 17 contests and just one in his last 28 regular season match-ups, which dates back to December.
All the while, the Cottage Grove, Minn., product also led the Lakers in scoring with 19 goals and 26 assists.
As for Maticic, who turned 20 earlier this month, he only had 14 penalty minutes throughout the campaign.
The Thunder Bay native led the North Stars in offensive production while finishing fourth in SIJHL scoring as he produced 65 points in 55 outings on 22 tallies while helping set-up 43 others.
This marks the third time in SIJHL history that there have been co-recipients in a season for this award.
It is also the third year in succession a Lakers’ players has garnered the accolades.
Lucas becomes the sixth player from a Fort Frances-based franchise in the 17-year history of the SIJHL to earn most sportsmanlike player honours.
Dylan Kooner claimed the honour last season while Andrew Willner won the award in 2015-16.
You also had Jacob Nolan taking home the award for the Lakers back in 2012-13 as did Tyler Stevenson in 2010-11.
Meanwhile former Borderland Thunder forward A.J. Tucker was a co-recipient back in 2002-03.
Former North Stars to earn this honour were Matthias Gardiman (2013-14); Joel Langevin (2008-09); Josh Slobodian (2006-07) and Steve Atkins (2004-05).
The following are the SIJHL’s all-time Most Sportsmanlike Player award honourees:
2017-18: Nick Lucas, Fort Frances Lakers (Co-recipient)
2017-18: Alex Maticic, Thunder Bay North Stars (Co-recipient)
2016-17: Dylan Kooner, Fort Frances Lakers
2015-16: Andrew Willner, Fort Frances Lakers
2014-15: Evan Erickson, Minnesota Iron Rangers
2013-14: Matthias Gardiman, Thunder Bay North Stars
2012-13: Jacob Nolan, Fort Frances Lakers
2011-12: Dane Morin, Sioux Lookout Flyers
2010-11: Tyler Stevenson, Fort Frances Lakers
2009-10: Mike Lennon, Dryden Ice Dogs
2008-09: Joel Langevin, Fort William North Stars
2007-08: Michael Thibert, Thunder Bay Bulldogs
2006-07: Justin Gvora, Thunder Bay Bearcats (Co-recipient)
2006-07: Josh Slobodian, Fort William North Stars (Co-recipient)
2005-06: Tyler Tesh, Dryden Ice Dogs
2004-05: Steve Atkins, Fort William North Stars
2003-04: Joel Poshtar, Dryden Ice Dogs
2002-03: A.J. Tucker, Borderland Thunder (Co-recipient)
2002-03: Eric Robin, K&A Golden Hawks (Co-recipient)
2001-02: Charlie Washipabano, Featherman Hawks