Sukovic named AJHL League MVP; Beaudoin wins Most Dedicated

Luka Sukovic wins team MVP last Friday, with assistant coaches Darick Ste-Marie, right, and Ryan Blocha, left. 

For just the fourth time in franchise history, a Bonnyville Pontiac is the Alberta Junior Hockey League MVP.

On Wednesday, the league announced Luka Sukovic was voted as both the league’s Most Valuable Player and Top Forward, crowning a huge achievement for the Chicago area native.

In his second season with the Pontiacs, Sukovic led the league in goals with 35 and finished just two points shy of first, held by Caden Cabana.

His 67 point campaign was a staggering improvement offensively, after last year playing primarily a checking role in the Yaks lineup.

“He was a man on a mission when he came back after a very impressive offseason and he never looked back,” said associate general manager Neil Langridge.

The only other MVP winners from the Pontiacs was Harry York in 1993-94, Mark Letestu in 2005-06, and Bobby McMann in 2015-16. All three went on to play in the National Hockey League.

Also coming home with hardware was captain Nicolas Beaudoin.

He won Most Dedicated Player this year, after last season’s 40 goal campaign which saw him win Rookie of the Year. At this year’s team awards, Beaudoin won Top Defensive Forward.