As of Sunday, the 17-year-old forward from Balgonie was sixth in the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League in scoring. Humboldt head coach Scott Barney pointed out that there are no other 2004-born players in the top 75 in the league’s points standings.
“Matthew is a player who’s getting better each and every day,” Barney said. “He pushes the pace of the game by using his speed and backing off defenders. His hockey sense and ability to read and react to the game quickly has allowed him to be successful. There are many (NCAA) D1 schools who are very high on Matthew.”
The 5-foot-11, 175-pound Perkins has accumulated 33 points in 29 games this season. As of Sunday, he was sixth in the SJHL with 16 goals. Among league rookies, he ranked fourth in points, second in goals, and fifth for assists. When asked about how he has been able to put up points this season, Perkins was quick to give credit to the others wearing green and gold.
“I think my teammates have helped me a ton in my start to the season and, with the confidence Scott has put in me so far this season, that has allowed me to play with confidence and be myself on and off the ice and that has translated into my play so far this season,” Perkins said.
Pekins’ impressive numbers and play have earned him several accolades. For example, he was the SGEU MVP of the Week for the league after recording eight points in four games during a stretch that ended on Nov. 7. That time period included a four-point night against Weyburn. The honour came after Perkins earned Directwest SJHL Rookie of the Week on Nov. 2 following a stint that saw him record his first junior hockey hattrick in a victory over Battlefords and score the overtime winning goal against Weyburn. Perkins had a five-point outing against La Ronge on Nov. 12.
The development of his game included two seasons with the U15 AA Prairie Storm. The Broncos recognized his potential and nabbed him in the third round, 32nd overall, of the 2019 SJHL Draft. Perkins started the next campaign with the U18 AA Prairie Storm before being called up to the AAA Moose Jaw Warriors, where he played with fellow current Broncos standout Connor McGrath of LeRoy. In 2020’s COVID-19 shortened season, Perkins posted a goal and six points in six games for the Warriors. What has he had to adjust to moving up to the junior level?
“The speed and physicality of junior has been a big change from AAA,” he said. “The size has also been a change for sure too.”
Perkins said there are many things he enjoys about his current hockey home.
“Humboldt has been an amazing place to play in and I have really enjoyed it, but I think the atmosphere of the fans and the support from the community and how well we get treated has been what I have enjoyed most,” he said.
Perkins lives with Chris and Nicole Harris and his two “billet brothers” Cohen and Calder. The Grade 12 student juggles a packed hockey schedule with his classload at Humboldt Collegiate Institute.
“Sometimes it has definitely been a lot, but the teachers and principals have been very good with helping me balance my schoolwork and hockey,” Perkins said.
The Broncos last week
Tuesday, Nov. 30 in Kindersley
Humboldt 7, Kindersley 2
Broncos Scorers: Tyler Kutschinski (2), Jakob Jones, Alex Morozoff, Matthew Perkins, Ethan Ziekle
Klippers Scorer: Aidan Bangs
Goalies: Rayce Ramsay, Humboldt, 21 saves on 22 shots; Matthew Pesenti, Kindersley, 34 on 41
Attendance: 435
Notes: After Kindersley led 1-0 after the first period, Humboldt scored twice in the second frame and exploded for five in the third. “The guys were really competing hard and making good decisions with and without the puck,” Humboldt head coach Scott Barney said. The Broncos scored the lone powerplay game of the contest. Rookies Kutschinski and Jones scored their first SJHL goals. Samuel Marburg had a team-high three points for Humboldt. Captain Kade Olsen, Marburg, Braiden Koran and Owen Evers each had two assists. Humbodt’s Noah Barlage and Klipper Chase Friedt-Mohr fought in the second period. The Broncos called up Lucky Lake’s Jaydon Jessiman and Warman’s Jordan Normand from the U18 AAA Warman Wildcats.
Friday, Dec. 3 in Flin Flon
Humboldt 4, Flin Flon 3 SO
Broncos Scorers: Connor McGrath (2), Ethan Ziekle
Bombers Scorer: Jeremi Tremblay, Jacob Vockler
Goalies: William Dyke, Humboldt, 34 saves on 37 shots; Cal Schell, Flin Flon, 36 on 39
Attendance: 638
Notes: Matthew Perkins and Alex Morozoff each scored in the shootout. Neither of the Bombers shooters scored. Due to McGrath goals, Humboldt led 1-0 and 2-0 after the first and second periods, respectively. Flin Flon outscored Humboldt 3-1 in the third to send the game into overtime. Alex Morozoff had two assists. It was Dyke’s first SJHL win.
Saturday, Dec. 4 in Flin Flon
Flin Flon 6, Humboldt 3
Broncos Scorers: Samuel Marburg, Alex Morozoff, Connor McGrath
Bombers Scorers: Cole Duperreault, Jaxon Martens, Jeremi Tremblay, Cole Tanchuk, Jacob Vockler, Zak Smith
Goalies: Rayce Ramsay, Humboldt, 34 saves on 39 shots; Cal Schell, Flin Flon, 25 on 28
Attendance: 618
Notes: Flin Flon scored three unanswered goals in the first period and added another in the second to lead 4-0. Morozoff got the Broncos on the scoreboard to make it, 4-1, at the second intermission. In the third, a McGrath goal cut the Bombers’ lead to two, 4-2. Flin Flon scored to go up 5-2 before the teams traded goals.
Notes
With the split of the weekend series in Flin Flon, the Humboldt Broncos and the Bombers split their season series, 2-2. “We came out very strong and skating from the start of game one on Friday and on Saturday we came out flat and weren’t engaged,” Broncos head coach Scott Barney said. “We had a good second and third but wasn’t enough against a strong Flin Flon club. It’s good to get two points out of a tough place to get wins.” … As of Sunday, Humboldt (22-8-0-0) and Estevan (21-5-1-1) were tied for the lead in the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League standings with 44 points. … Lucas Ceccarelli has been named an assistant captain for the Broncos. “He’s come in since the beginning of the season and has been a leader on and off the ice for us,” Barney said. “He leads by his work ethic and commitment to playing a team game.” … On Dec. 3, Broncos forward Connor Casparie was suspended five games for a blow to the head penalty in a Nov. 28 game.
This Week
The Humboldt Broncos (22-8-0-0) host the Notre Dame Hounds (13-9-2-1) on Wednesday. On Saturday, the Estevan Bruins (21-5-1-1) visit. The Broncos cap a three-game homestand by hosting the Kindersley Klippers (12-14-0-1) on Tuesday.
