This week the Kootenay International Junior Hockey League will announce its overall award winners in seven categories – Most Valuable Player, Top Scorer, Top Defenceman, Top Goaltender, Rookie of the Year, Most Sportsmanlike Player and Coach of the Year.
We begin with Top Scorer, Luke Chakrabarti from the Creston Valley Thunder Cats. Chakrabarti is the KIJHL’s Top Scorer again. Last season he earned the honour with 78 points in 41 games. This year he won it with 75 points in 44 games and was plus-24. Chakrabarti, 20, had six game-winners and 14 power-play points, while playing 20:44 a game.
Thunder Cats associate coach-assistant general manager Gianni Mangone says a lot of Chakrabarti’s success has to do with his hockey IQ.
“When you talk to him about hockey, he knows where to go and his ability to read plays allows him to make the right play,” says Mangone. “He came into the coaches office quite a few times to talk about systems, things in the offensive zone that we could generate more offence.”
An improved focus on defence also contributed to generating chances.
“His success came from an overall well-rounded game,” says Mangone, “added on to his great offensive ability.”
Mangone says Chakrabarti has top notch skill and the first things that come to mind are his vision and passing.
“He can score. Everyone knows that,” he says. “I think what they didn’t really realize is that they had to worry about his linemates a lot as well. Nikolai Morrison had quite a year (33GP – 24G 13A- 37 PTS). Luke was always off the rush trying to find a guy coming in late, was always thinking about making the pass to teammates for an open shot.”
Since Dec. 30, Chakrabarti has been held pointless once in 16 games, and the Surrey native scored 13 goals and 22 points, including a five-point effort against Nelson and a seven-point performance against Spokane. Chakarbarti was named the Hudl Instat KIJHL Top Forward two times.
