PIctured L-R: Forward, Kian Bell and defenceman, Carson Olsen have been recognized for their standout play this season, with some year-end SJHL hardware. (Martin Martinson/battlefordsNOW Staff)

By Martin Martinson

Making History

North Stars Bell, Olsen headline SJHL Award winners

Mar 20, 2024 | 5:51 PM

The Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League (SJHL) announced its year-end award winners Wednesday, with a pair of Battlefords North Stars taking centre stage, and making history.

Kian Bell became the first player in SJHL history to win back-to-back League MVP awards, also picking up Forward of the Year honours. Blue liner Carson Olsen became the first defenceman in over 20 years to be named Rookie of the Year.

Kian Bell – SGEU Most Valuable Player/Borgault AG Forward of the Year

The first player to win back-to-back MVPs, and the first in nearly a decade to lead the league in scoring in consecutive years (since Travis Mayan of the Melfort Mustangs in 2015 and 2016), Bell continued to dazzle fans to new heights in his second season donning the North Stars’ crest.

Finishing with a league-best 94 points (37 goals, 57 assists) despite playing just 41 games, Bell’s incredible 2.29 points per game is remarkably up from his 2.00 average last season when he scored 102 points (54 goals, 48 assists) in 51 games.

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Perhaps most impressive about Bell’s numbers this season is the consistency with which he’s produced, having been held scoreless just five games this season, while posting a league-high 28 multi-point games, including 19 games with three or more points. (Martin Martinson/battlefordsNOW Staff)

The dynamic winger’s scoring prowess allowed him to pace the league in points despite missing 15 games, still finishing with a six-point lead over second place (Spencer Bell of the Humboldt Broncos with 88 points), and a staggering 16 ahead of the rest of the field.

Bell’s impact was felt immediately upon his return to the North Stars’ lineup this season, after starting the year with the Edmonton Oil Kings of the Western Hockey League. At the time of Bell’s return, the North Stars were a .500 team with just six wins through their first 12 games (6-5-1). Upon his arrival, the Stars immediately rattled off a 10-1 record over their next 11, with the Fall River, NS., product contributing 27 points (11 goals, 16 assists) to pace the team over the stretch.

“It’s really cool, It’s a huge honour, and I’ve said it before, but there are so many good players in this league who are just as well-deserving as I am, so it means a lot,” Bell said of the year-end recognition.

“I wouldn’t have it any other way as my last season of junior hockey, it’s just been such a blast and all the guys in the room have just been great and made it so enjoyable, and these last two awards just put the cherry on top of the regular season. That being said, the real hardware that we all want to get is that championship trophy again.”

Carson Olsen – DirectWest Rookie of the Year

The first defenceman to be named SJHL Rookie of the Year in over 20 years, since Jeff Marshall of the La Ronge Ice Wolves back in 2003, the accomplishment is the latest in what’s been a rookie season for the ages for the 17-year-old, Olsen.

The Warman product wasted no time getting acclimated to the junior hockey ranks, not only making the North Stars’ roster as an under-ager but doing so as a top-pairing defenceman. Playing big minutes in all situations alongside team captain, Tanner Gold, Olsen’s play led to earning a post-secondary commitment to UMass Lowell, a Division I program of the NCAA.

Finishing third amongst all first-year defenceman in scoring with 30 points (10 goals, 20 assists) in 51 games, Olsen’s totals were also third amongst all ’06-birthdates, just back of Melville forward Kole Keen’s 35, and tied with Humboldt winger Connor Miller.

Carson Olsen’s blend of natural instincts, strong skating ability and puck moving acumen have made him a must-see attraction in his first season with the North Stars. (Martin Martinson/battlefordsNOW Staff)

Catching up with battlefordsNOW about what it means to win Rookie of the Year honours, Olsen was quick to share the praise with his teammates and the coaching staff, showing the character of the young blue liner.

“It’s been a blast this year, obviously playing with Tanner [Gold], I’ve been pretty lucky that it’s been that way all year, and I just think [head coach] Brayden [Klimosko] gave me an awesome opportunity coming right out of camp,” Olsen said. “I had to prove myself, but with Brayden giving me that opportunity, and especially with all the boys, it’s the greatest locker room I’ve ever had, so it’s been awesome this year.”

Also recognized in the SJHL’s Players of the Year were Canterra Seeds Saskatchewan Player of the Year, Spencer Bell (Humboldt Broncos); SuperU Defenceman of the Year, Noah Houle (Flin Flon Bombers); SaskTel Goaltender of the Year, Harmon Laser-Hume (Flin Flon Bombers); Star Egg Most Sportsmanlike Player, Mason Bueckert (La Ronge Ice Wolves), and Saskatchewan Construction Safety Association Coach of the Year, Mike Reagan (Flin Flon Bombers).

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Martin.Martinson@pattisonmedia.com

On X: @MartyMartyPxP1