TORONTO – The Canadian Junior Hockey League (CJHL) announced Thursday that Whitecourt Wolverines (AJHL) goaltender Zac Onyskiw has been named its Most Valuable Player for the 2024-25 season.
Onyskiw earned the accolades over fellow MVP finalists Matthew Kieper, (G) Flin Flon Bombers (SJHL); Connor Paronuzzi, (F) Steinbach Pistons (MJHL); Lucas Signoretti, (F) Greater Sudbury Cubs (NOJHL) and Colton Smith, (F) Leamington Flyers (OJHL), following a voting process completed by the CJHL’s nine-member leagues, for their respective efforts during the regular season.
Earlier selected AJHL MVP, as well as the recipient of his league’s and the CJHL’s Top Goaltender Award, the four-year AJHL veteran led the way with a 1.87 goals-against average and was also tops in save percentage at .939.
His save mark established a new league single season record for the best in that department while his GAA was the lowest in a full-time AJHL campaign since 2016-17.
Onyskiw registered the most wins among AJHL netminders on the campaign while going 26-7-1-3 overall.
He previously became the first Wolverines’ netminder to win AJHL MVP honours and was the first league goaltender accomplish the feat in a decade.
The Edmonton, Alta., product was recognized 10 times as an AJHL Player of the Game; collected Defensive Player of the Week laurels once and did not suffer a defeat in back-to-back starts all season long.
Allowing two, or fewer, goals-against on 26 occasions in 2024-25.
In his final 30 regular season games, Onyskiw went an impressive 22-4-2-2, from October 9 on, helping the Wolverines finish in a tie for top spot in the AJHL standings, in terms of points, with 78.
Making 100 appearances in his AJHL career, he won 66 times and posted 10 shutouts, which were the most of any league goaltender over the past four seasons.
Wrapping up this Jr. A career, Onyskiw has now committed to MacEwan University (Canada West) where he’ll attend school and continue his playing career in his hometown with the Griffins USPORTS men’s hockey program.
With files from Charla Flett, Executive Director (AJHL)
Photo credit: Dave Watling Photography