Former Americans Alternate Captain Bouchard named WHL Grad of the Month for November/December
Calgary, Alta.- A dynamite first half of the Canada West season has powered Mount Royal Cougars forward Connor Bouchard to being named Western Hockey League Grad of the Month for November/December.
If there was ever any concern about who would fill the net for Mount Royal after the graduation of star forwards and WHL alumni Riley Sawchuk and Nolan Yaremko, it’s gone now.
Bouchard leads the conference in scoring at semester break with 16 goals and 20 assists in 16 contests- nine points clear of the next-best scorer in the Canada West.
“I don’t think you’re ever going to replace Nolan or Riley. those two guys are not just great players, but great teammates,” Bouchard said. “I think there is some opportunity on our team this year with them moving on, but I think we just want to be the best team we can be and, you know, have everybody kind of rowing in the same direction. I’m just happy to be a part of that.”
The 22-year-old is riding a 15-game point streak and scoring at an impressive 2.5 points per game clip, highlighted by a five-goal, three-assist weekend that saw the nationally ranked Cougars sweep the Saskatchewan Huskies in early December.
Now in his second year at Mount Royal, he’s nearly eclipsed the 39 points he put up in his rookie season- which was already the third-highest point total of any Cougars players since his school joined the university level in the 2012-2013 season.
Bouchard continues to showcase the potent playmaking ability that made him a fan-favourite for five seasons with the Tri-City Americans.
The former Americans Alternate Captain tallied 36 goals and 97 assists over 262 WHL contests but says his game has hit a new level in the university game.
“I think my game has grown and changed,” Bouchard explained. “At Mount Royal, we play on Olympic-sized ice, right? Learning how to play on bigger ice and kind of being patient within my game and probably more on the mental side for me has been big. Not trying to do too much or trying to make a play right away or looking for the homerun play just being patient within my game and kind of trusting the process.”
Bouchard is using his WHL Scholarship to study Physical Literacy at Mount Royal. The school’s smaller class sizes, promising conversations with Head Coach Bert Gilling and the chance to suit up alongside his former Tri-City teammates Yaremko and Sawchuk ultimately drew him in.
“For me, honestly, it’s the best decision I’ve made,” Bouchard said. “I love being at school and just the opportunity to go to school for free. To get to be a student at university while still playing the game you love is special and I’m just trying to take full advantage of it.”
Mount Royal is currently third in the Canada West with a 13-5 record and ranked fifth among all U SPORTS teams.
“I think we’re in a good spot heading into the break,” Bouchard added. “I’m excited about where we are. We’re kind of halfway there. We’ve got 10 games left and the last half is going to be a sprint. Definitely excited and ready to take on the next ten.”
Mount Royal returns from the semester break on January 12 to take on the University of Manitoba Bisons.
For each season played in the WHL, a player is awarded a one-year post-secondary scholarship, which includes tuition, compulsory fees, and required textbooks. In partnership with Canada West universities, numerous WHL Scholarship recipients each year are also awarded additional financial assistance from their university to receive Western Canada’s Premier Hockey Scholarship.
Since 1993, the WHL has awarded over 7,500 scholarships to graduate players. The WHL is the leading supplier of hockey scholarships in Western Canada and offers one of the most comprehensive scholarships in North America.
WHL Grad of the Month
The WHL Grad of the Month is a partnership between the WHL and Canada West. CW coaches vote to select the winner each month. All nominees must have played at least one full season in the WHL and be in good standing in Canada West.
About the Western Hockey League
Regarded as the world’s finest development league for junior hockey players, the Western Hockey League (WHL) head office is based in Calgary, Alberta. The WHL offers a world-class player experience featuring three key cornerstones: hockey development, education, and a safe and positive environment for all participants. A diverse and inclusive organization, the WHL consists of 22 member Clubs with 16 located in Western Canada and six in the U.S. Pacific Northwest. A member of the Canadian Hockey League, the WHL has been a leading supplier of talent for the National Hockey League for close to 60 years. The WHL is also a leading provider of hockey scholarships with over 375 graduates each year receiving WHL Scholarships to pursue a post-secondary education of their choice. Each season, WHL players also form the nucleus of Canada’s National Junior Hockey Team.
About Canada West
As the leading university athletic conference in the country, Canada West is home to student-athletes who excel in the classroom and their communities. The conference is comprised of 17 member institutions spanning from Victoria to Winnipeg, with over 3,200 student-athletes competing across 14 sports. Canada West’s mission is to train leaders and build champions by providing leadership in the delivery, regulation, and promotion of university-level high-performance sports programs throughout Western Canada.
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