MacEwan Athletics
EDMONTON – Brett Njaa had no idea his name would be called for the most prestigious award in the Alberta Colleges Athletic Conference men's hockey ranks.
But it was; prior to Game 1 of the ACAC final, he was shaking hands with ACAC Executive Committee representative Jim Knight after being name as the loop's Most Outstanding Player.
"It's pretty special," he said. "I had no clue that was going to happen. I was pretty surprised.
"But I couldn't do it without all those guys in there," he added with a nod to the Griffins' locker-room. "I've had great linemates all year and coach put me in good situations. It says my name, but it could have gone to a lot of guys on our team."
Njaa led the Griffins in scoring for a third-straight season with 15 goals and 32 points in 28 games – tied for the fifth-most in the ACAC in 2017-18.
He had 11 of his goals and 18 of his points in the second-half of the season. The Birch Hills, SK product now has 94 points over the past three seasons – more than any other player.
"You really saw him take over in the second half of the season this year and put up some incredible numbers statistically," said MacEwan Griffins head coach Michael Ringrose. "Just his dedication and commitment – how much it matters to him on an everyday basis – is what really sets him apart from other athletes. He wants to win and he's passionate about it. He's willing to do the work to get there."
The third-year Commerce student-athlete, who came to the Griffins via the Camrose Kodiaks of the Alberta Junior Hockey League, was named the 2017 ACAC playoff MVP after leading MacEwan to the championship with overtime-winning goals in both Games 1 and 3 of the final.
Njaa was also named to the ACAC All Conference First Team, along with teammate Marc-Olivier Daigle, who led the league in goals against average (2.22) during the regular season.
"He's the backbone of our hockey team," said Ringrose of Daigle, who had also been exceptional in three-straight playoff wins.
"Both (Marc) and Chris (Wray) were exceptional this year," he added. "I think they pushed each other. Marc, in my mind, only got better as the year went on. He took a real mature approach to the day to day and a commitment to get better, a commitment to be successful. Those things aren't easy to do and he certainly puts the work in."
ICE CHIPS … The ACAC's rookie of the year is goalie Payton Lee (SAIT), while the coach of the year went to Trevor Keeper (RDC) … The All Conference First Team also included Tanner Butler (RDC), Ty Stanton (NAIT) and Tyler Berkholtz (RDC) … The Second Team is comprised of Dan Dekoning (Breircrest), Corey Chorneyko (NAIT), Jimmy Sheehan (UAlberta-Augustana), Joel Hamilton (SAIT), Mitch McMullin (UAlberta-Augustana) and Adam Wheeldon (Concordia).
