Hometown netminder Kolton Holmen brought home a trio of trophies from the Carrot River Outback Thunder’s annual awards night.
The 20-year-old goalie, who has played a game in at least five seasons with the Thunder, was named the squad’s regular season Most Valuable Player and Top Goalie, and also received the Community Involvement award. Holmen was one of several players who were recognized at the March 19 event at the Carrot River Arena.
“It’s always an honour to be recognized and receive awards after a good year of hockey, but what really is the biggest reward is the great relationships you make and will have for the rest of your life,” Holmen said.
This past winter, a young Thunder teamed packed with rookies and led by a new coaching staff went 17-16-7 to place fifth in the PJHL North Division and definitely made strides along the way. Carrot River won its Prairie Junior Hockey League Survivor Series, 2-1, against the West Central Rage. In the North Division semifinals, the Thunder fell 4-1 to the juggernaut Saskatoon AGI Insurance Quakers, but played them tough during the series. Captain Nick Peterson enjoyed the character displayed by this edition of the Thunder.
“There have been so many highs and lows throughout the season but regardless of what happened, the fellas would regroup and play their hearts out,” he said. “There’s nothing better than playing for a team full of players that would do anything for the guy next to them.”
Playing in 32 of the Thunder’s 40 games, Holmen posted a 13-18 record, had a 3.68 goals against average, and a .904 save percentage. His community involvement included helping coach the Carrot River peewee hockey team. He was recognized for breaking team season records for most saves (1,028), most shots faced (1.139), and most minutes played (1,812).
“He was a big part of our team,” said Trevor Logan, Carrot River’s head coach. “He kept us in some games that we probably shouldn’t have been in and when you have a young team that’s what you need your goalie to do.”
Newcomer Austin Linnen of Raymore won two awards. The 18-year-old was the team’s Top Scorer with 44 points, including 15 goals and a team-high 29 assists, and was the Thunder’s Rookie of the Year.
“I think as the season went on he really started to feel comfortable out there with the puck and showed more patience and made better reads,” Logan said. “Near the end of the season, I challenged him to be better in our end and he really stepped up. Come playoffs his two-way play was what I was most impressed with.”
Veteran defenceman Layne Cay of Kinistino received the Best Defenceman award and shared the Coaches’ Award with fellow 20-year-old Peterson. Cay was named to the PJHL North Division All-Star Team. Peterson was tied with Logan Robinson for second on the Thunder in points. Peterson, Holmen, and Robinson also were all recognized for playing more than 100 games for the Thunder. Of Peterson and Cay, Logan said:
“Beyond just consistency and hard work, they were just two guys that I know I could go to and discuss things involving the team and get their opinion even if we didn’t always agree on everything. They always trusted what I asked them to do and tried to do it. They brought full effort every night.”
Drayden Ukrainetz of Wynyard was named the Most Improved Player. How he would adjust to Junior B hockey was unknown at the start of the season. The 18-year-old ended up fourth on the team with 37 points and led the squad with 24 goals. He was a North Division All-Star.
“One thing about Drayden is if you challenged him, he never ever took it personally,” Logan said. “He wants to learn. He wants to succeed, so to me that is the best attitude you can get from a player.”
Robinson, a 20-year-old from Minnedosa, Man., was the team’s Playoff MVP. He led the team with 11 postseason points and tied Chandler Ashcroft for the lead with five goals. Robinson scored the overtime winner in the team’s win over the Quakers. The Thunder coaching staff challenged Robinson to refocus when the playoffs came.
“We knew our experienced, older guys had to be our best players and hardest workers if we were going to have any success in the playoffs,” Logan said. “He answered the bell and led our team in scoring in the playoffs and pushed the pace for us most nights.”
