Brooks Bandits are once again the class of the Alberta Junior Hockey League
The Brooks Bandits are having another fantastic season, running away from the competition in the South Division and their record of 40-2-1 tops the entire league.
Zach Bookman, 19-year-old defenceman, is also having an outstanding season with the team.
In 43 games, he scored 18 goals and added 65 assists for 83 points. That’s a franchise record for most goals in a season by a defenceman, surpassing the likes of Cale Makar.
And what's even more impressive, Bookman still has 17 games left in the regular season to add to his total.
Bookman says it's special because he looks up to the Colorado Avalanche defenceman.
"I mean it was surreal just to be mentioned with Cale," he said.
"Obviously he's the best defenceman in the NHL I think and just for me to be able to pass him with the organization it means everything to me."
IMPRESSING THE COACH
Bookman was born in Syracuse, New York, and next year he's committed to playing at Merrimack College near Boston, Massachusetts.
Technically, Bookman is still a rookie in the AJHL because he only played seven games last year due to a COVID-shortened schedule.
Head coach Ryan Papaioannou says that's what makes Bookman's season even more remarkable.
"His ability offensively right now in the league is second to none," Papaioannou said.
"He's starting to do the things that remind you of Cale along the blueline and he's a guy that loves to watch hockey and I think he sees things that Cale does and tries to replicate when he can."
GETTING CLOSE TO 50
Another player who has been lighting it up for the Bandits is forward T.J. Hughes.
The 20-year-old has scored 45 goals in 43 games and will no doubt become the first Bandits player to reach the 50-goal plateau in a season.
Hughes says that would be a great accomplishment.
"Yeah it would mean so much obviously. It would be a great accomplishment but I'm not looking too much at it," Hughes said.
"I just care more about the winning as a team and stuff and other peoples success as well but it would mean a lot."
GETTING GRITTY
This season has been a breakthrough for Hughes. In his previous 65 games with the Bandits, he had scored just 17 goals.
Papaioannou says Hughes always had the skill to score goals but this season he's worked hard to get more gritty and go to the scoring areas.
"He's been phenomenal," the Bandits’ bench boss said.
"The rate that he's scored at is something we couldn't have predicted. I knew he'd have a fantastic season but seemingly you know everything he touches finds a way to hit the back of the net."
Hughes will also head to school next season, playing at Mercyhurst University in Erie, Pennsylvania.
Bookman and Hughes will look to add to their totals on Friday night when the Bandits travel to Drumheller to take on the Dragons.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
BREAKING Israel attacks Iran, Reuters sources say; drones reported over Isfahan
Israel has attacked Iran, three people familiar with the matter told Reuters, as Iranian state media reported early on Friday that its forces had destroyed drones, days after Iran launched a retaliatory drone strike on Israel.
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer denied bail after being charged with killing Canadian couple
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer, one of two men charged in the killings of a Canadian couple in Dominica, has been denied bail.
Nearly half of China's major cities are sinking, researchers say
Nearly half of China's major cities are suffering 'moderate to severe' levels of subsidence, putting millions at risk of flooding especially as sea levels rise.
Prince Harry formally confirms he is now a U.S. resident
Prince Harry, the son of King Charles III and fifth in line to the British throne, has formally confirmed he is now a U.S. resident.
Judge says 'no evidence fully supports' murder case against Umar Zameer as jury starts deliberations
The judge presiding over the trial of a man accused of fatally running over a Toronto police officer is telling jurors the possible verdicts they may reach based on the evidence in the case.
Health Canada to change sperm donor screening rules for men who have sex with men
Health Canada will change its longstanding policy restricting gay and bisexual men from donating to sperm banks in Canada, CTV News has learned. The federal health agency has adopted a revised directive removing the ban on gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men, effective May 8.
Colin Jost names one celebrity who is great at hosting 'Saturday Night Live'
Colin Jost, who co-anchors Saturday Night Live's 'Weekend Update,' revealed who he thinks is one of the best hosts on the show.
Sports columnist apologizes for 'oafish' comments directed at Caitlin Clark. The controversy isn't over
A male columnist has apologized for a cringeworthy moment during former University of Iowa superstar and college basketball's highest scorer Caitlin Clark's first news conference as an Indiana Fever player.
'Shopaholic' author Sophie Kinsella reveals brain cancer diagnosis
Sophie Kinsella, the best-selling author behind the 'Shopaholic' book series, has revealed that she is receiving treatment for brain cancer.