Blue Jackets Prize Prospect Gets Nominated For The CHL's Top Defenseman Award

Another day, another award nomination for the Denton Mateychuk.

This time he's been nominated for the Canadian Hockey League's Defenseman of the Year award. This comes after being named the Bill Hunter Memorial Trophy Winner for being the WHL's top defenseman and also earning the WHL's Playoff MVP Award. The other nominees are Zayne Parekh of the Saginaw Spirit in the OHL and Vsevolod Komarov of the Drummondville Voltigeurs in the QMJHL

Mateychuk was everything as advertised this season. In 52 games played, he had a stat line of 17g-58a for 75 PTS. He was also +35 on the year. In the WHL playoffs, he played 20 games, had 30 points, and was a +19. 

The award is leaning more toward Zayne Parekh of Saginaw, who had 96 points in 66 games. Per a CHL press release, Parekh's 96 points "were the most by a CHL defenceman since Ryan Ellis tallied 100 points as a member of the Windsor Spitfires in 2010-11. Alongside Ellis, Parekh is one of just two CHL blueliners over the last 20 years to top 95 points in a single season."

Regardless of whether Mateychuk wins the award, he had a spectacular season. His Moose Jaw Warriors will take on the Saginaw Spirit, Drummondville Voltigeurs, and the London Knights in the 2024 Memorial Cup. The Quebec Remparts won last year's Memorial Cup, with another Jackets prospect, James Malatesta winning the Stafford Smthye Memorial Trophy for being the tournament's most outstanding player. Malatesta was also named to the Memorial Cup All-Star Team. 

Can Mateychuk replicate Matatesta's 2023 Memorial Cup?

What do you think? Share your thoughts on our forum.

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