FRANKENMUTH — The accolades and recognition meant the world to Jagger Firkus.
Firkus was named winner of the David Branch Player of the Year Award at the Canadian Hockey League Awards on Saturday. He became the first player in Warriors history to win the award.
He followed the CHL with 126 points (61 goals, 65 assists), also earning the top scorer award.
“It means the world to me,” Firkus said. “The Moose Jaw organization has had a lot of great players, but to be the first to receive this award means a lot to me.
“The Moose Jaw organization has done so much for me, so I like to give back to them.”
“It’s special for me, it’s special for my family and hopefully I can keep moving forward,” he added.
Easton Cowan of the London Knights and Mathieu Cataford of the Halifax Mooseheads were the other two finalists for CHL Player of the Year.
Firkus received the award from outgoing Ontario Hockey League commissioner David Branch, after whom the award is named.
Drafted by the NHL’s Seattle Kraken in the second round (35th overall) in 2022, Firkus was held off the scoresheet just four times in 63 regular-season games.
He also had a 26-game winning streak of 51 points (19 goals, 32 assists) between November 25 and February 17.
He led the Warriors to third place in the Western Hockey League regular season standings.
Then came the franchise’s first-ever Ed Chynoweth Cup, after advancing to their first WHL finals in 18 years.
The Warriors reached their first-ever Memorial Cup. Moose Jaw hosted Saginaw in Friday’s tournament semifinal.
“It was special, it really was,” Firkus said of his season. “It was the (most fun) hockey year I’ve ever had. It was the best group of guys I’ve ever been a part of.
“Looking back on it, I wish it would never end, but that’s not hockey. It will end eventually. Just super proud of the guys, super proud to be part of the Moose Jaw Warriors.”
As for his potential future in the NHL, the player nicknamed Firkus Circus says he would be grateful for an opportunity.
“Whatever the future brings, I just want to be proud of myself,” he said. “The Firkus Circus, if it ends up happening, I will be honored to be there and have the opportunity to play in the NHL.”
Firkus was one of two players nominated for two awards.
Saginaw’s Zayne Parekh won defenseman of the year and was a finalist for top draft prospect. Parekh is the first Spirit player to ever win CHL Defenseman of the Year.
He led the Spirit to a historic campaign as they surpassed the 100-point mark for the first time in team history with 102 in the regular season, trailing only London in the Ontario Hockey League.
Parekh paced all CHL blue liners with 96 points (33 goals, 66 assists).
He looked ahead to Sunday’s Memorial Cup final against London, and a chance to give Saginaw its first Memorial Cup in the team’s tournament debut.
“I don’t feel much. It hasn’t sunk in yet,” Parekh said of being the first Spirit player to win the award. “I’m trying to be the first person to bring a Memorial Cup to Saginaw, so that’s the goal.”
Denton Mateychuk of Moose Jaw and Vsevolod Komarov of the Drummondville Voltigeurs were also finalists for the defenseman award.
Medicine Hat Tigers center Cayden Lindstrom was named top draft pick. He is ranked third among North American skaters in the NHL’s Central Scouting rankings, with Parekh at fifth.
Chicoutimi Saguenéens right winger Maxim Massé, who is 30th in that ranking, was the other finalist for the draft.
“It’s definitely an exciting moment coming up,” Lindstrom said of the June 28-29 NHL draft. “It’s a lot to take in. However, there is still a lot of work to be done.”
Goalkeeper of the Year went to William Rousseau of the Rouyn-Noranda Huskies, while Medicine Hat’s Gavin McKenna took home rookie honors. Jean-François Grégoire of the Baie-Comeau Drakkar became coach of the year.
Moose Jaw’s Brayden Yager won the sportsmanship award. Noah Chadwick of the Lethbridge Hurricanes took home Scholastic Player of the Year and Mason Vaccari of the Kingston Frontenacs received the Humanitarian Award.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published June 1, 2024.
Abdulhamid Ibrahim, The Canadian Press
