Cody Butikis first in franchise history to win Viterra Cup for game star performances

Image: Emma Jonker Photography. This is the first time a Pontiac received this award. 

The evidence of just how important and valuable MVP Cody Butikis was to the Pontiacs’ success on the ice this season?

A league-wide award, announced on Tuesday.

The Yaks goaltender was named the 2024-25 Viterra Cup champion, which means he received the most game stars of any player in the AJHL this year. 

Butikis received the game star a whopping 14 times, including eight times on the road, and six at home. That’s three times more than the next closest candidate of goalie Carter Capton in Camrose.

The Sewell, New Jersey native is eligible for one more season of junior hockey, having finished the AJHL season with the most saves in the season, and second most minutes played.

Previously, Butikis attended the 2024 Philadelphia Flyers Development Camp.

Each AJHL regular season game concludes with the Viterra AJHL Star of the Game Award, which recognizes a player from each team deemed to be the game’s top player, the AJHL explains. 

Every time a player is recognized as a Viterra AJHL Star of the Game throughout the regular season, they will receive five points in the Viterra Cup Standings.

Interestingly, although Butikis wasn’t a finalist for league MVP, he received game star honours four more times than the eventual Most Valuable Player in Zac Onyskiw.