Estevan Bruins netminder Cam Hrdlicka has been named as 1 of 3 finalists for the SJHL’s ‘Top Goaltender’ award for 2022/23, announced by the league on Friday morning.
UPDATE: March 9th, 2023
Battlefords North Stars goaltender Josh Kotai has been named the SJHL’s Top Goaltender. CLICK HERE for the full list of award winners.
It’s been an awe-inspiring season for Hrdlicka, as the second-year goaltender from Calgary, AB was handed the reins as the Bruins’ starter in training camp and has done everything in his power to justify that decision from Head Coach/GM Jason Tatarnic since Game 1.
Last season, Hrdlicka earned the backup job as a rookie behind veteran Boston Bilous. In 22 regular season appearances, Hrdlicka went 18-1-0-1 with 5 shutouts and was beloved by his teammates as a great locker-room guy. Hrdlicka was a key piece to the Bruins’ championship run, so it wasn’t a surprise to see Hrdlicka as the starter entering this season.
This year, with plenty more expectations on him and significantly more playing time…Hrdlicka has been even better than his stellar rookie season.
At the time of the award’s announcement on March 3rd, Hrdlicka leads the SJHL in shutouts (5) and games played (42 of 53) and 2nd in Minutes Played (2,304). Though the Bruins are 6th overall in the standings and Goals Allowed, Hrdlicka’s other stats are comparable to those netminders playing on top-ranked teams. Hrdlicka has 21 wins (3rd), a .914 SV% (5th), and a 2.92 G.A.A. (8th). Hrdlicka also suffered a minor injury after the Christmas break, missing five games. So it’s likely some of his stats would be even better had he played in a few more games.
Hrdlicka has previously been recognized by the SJHL for his play this season with 3 ‘Goalie-of-the-Week’ awards, 1 ‘Goalie-of-the-Month’ award in November, and represented the league at the SJHL-MJHL Showcase where he pitched a 35-save shutout in his lone appearance.
Cam Hrdlicka has been unquestionably the most valuable player to the Estevan Bruins this year, and it could easily be argued that no player in the SJHL has been more valuable to his team’s success than Hrdlicka.
READ MORE: SJHL PLAYER OF THE YEAR AWARDS
Joining Hrdlicka as finalists for the SJHL ‘Top Goaltender’ award are Josh Kotai from Battlefords and Dawson Smith from La Ronge. Hrdlicka is the only Bruins’ player named as a finalist for any of the league awards, and the winners will be announced on March 9th.
