The Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League (SJHL) announced their year-end award finalists Thursday, with a pair of Bruins receiving three nominations between them.
Bruins’ scoring leader, Ewan Rennie was named a finalist for Most Valuable Player & Forward of the Year, while Cash Olson, who leads all Bruins’ freshman in scoring, was recognized as a finalist for Rookie of the Year.
Rennie is currently in the midst of a career season with the Bruins in this, his second year with the team. With 76 points (36G, 40A) in just 51 games, Rennie sits just a single point back of the SJHL scoring lead heading into the final weekend of the season, while leading the league outright in both goals (36) and points per-game (1.49).
Nominated for both MVP and Forward of the Year alongside Yorkton’s Gabriel Courchesne (77 points in 54 games) and Nipawin’s Mason Karakochuk (54 points in 46 games), Rennie said it’s always special to be recognized amongst the top players in the league.
“It’s pretty cool,” Rennie said of the nomination, flashing a smile. “Obviously there are a lot of good players in this league, so to be nominated for these awards is an honour.”
Olson spoke to Rennie’s impact this season having seen first-hand his practice habits and day-to-day work ethic this year, as a linemate on his left wing.
“It’s just awesome,” Olson said with a smile. “Rennie’s a great player, and to be nominated as MVP is obviously a very honourable award and he deserves it. He’s worked hard all season, he’s been amazing to play with, and he’s been a great role model for me and someone I look up to for sure, so seeing him succeed and get the recognition he should be is a great thing.”
With the nominations, Rennie becomes the first Bruins’ player to be named an MVP Finalist since Eric Pearce back in 2022. He is also the first Bruin to be named a Forward of the Year finalist (or Top Forward as it was previously known) since Mark Rumsey in 2022.
Olson, who is enjoying a rookie season for the books, has exploded onto the scene this year to the tune of 45 points (14G, 31A) in 54 games, en route to earning his Rookie of the Year nomination.
To date, the Medicine Hat, AB., product sits just two points back of Yorkton’s Cash Lanigan (47 points in 53 games) for the rookie scoring lead, joining Lanigan and Melfort goaltender, Kason Kobelka (19W, 2.33 GAA, .915sv%) in the running for the top-rookie prize.
Olson said just to be nominated means a lot, as a goal he set out to achieve at the start of the season.
“It’s obviously a great honour and something that I’m really proud of,” Olson said. “Coming into this year that’s definitely something I was hoping for, and it means a lot for sure.”
Having slept-in Thursday due to an early-morning arrival back home from Melfort to start the day, Olson said he first received the news of his nomination when he woke up to the announcement and subsequent support blowing up his phone in the afternoon.
“We didn’t get home last night till about 5 a.m., so I slept in very late and kind of woke up and found out so I was kind of shocked, but it was an exciting moment for sure,” Olson said with a laugh.
“Pretty much all my family reached out obviously, and then a couple of friends and couple old teammates have congratulated me, so just knowing they’re behind me and having my back and supporting me is just awesome.”
Rennie said it’s nice to see Olson get recognized for his contributions as a key piece of the team’s top unit this season.
“It’s great to see, he’s been really good all year and helped our line and myself out a lot, so it’s awesome to see him up for [Rookie of the Year] as he deserves it,” Rennie said.
Olson is the first Bruin to be named a finalist for SJHL Rookie of the Year since Griffin Asham-Moroz back in 2020.
For the full list of SJHL Award nominations, CLICK HERE.
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Marty Martinson/Bruins PxP & Marketing Director
On X: @MartyMartyPxP1
