Former Norman Northstar and OCN Blizzard standout Justin Nachbaur continued to carve his path to the pros this season as he was named rookie of the year by the WHL's Prince Albert Raiders.

The 17-year-old Cross Lake, MB native spent two seasons playing hockey in Thompson, one with the Norman Wolves Bantam "AAA" side and one with the Midget "AAA" Northstars. In his first year of bantam hockey with the Wolves, Nachbaur put up 17 points (9G, 8A) in 22 games, putting him second in team scoring behind Bryce Young.

Justin would play his second and final season of bantam hockey with the Winnipeg Warriors, where he scored 23 goals and added 22 helpers in 30 games. This performance got the attention of WHL scouts, leading to him being taken by the Raiders in the seventh round.

He only played one season of midget hockey before making the jump to junior, and it was spent with the Norman Northstars. He finished fourth in team scoring, notching 14 goals and 9 assists in 30 games.

Nachbaur spent last season in OCN with the Blizzard, where he continued to make his mark. The then 16-year-old found the back of the net 11 times and added 20 helpers in 55 games, before putting up 6 points in 15 playoff games.

He made the jump to Major Junior this year, playing 66 games and helped the Raiders with 20 points.

Nachbaur will be looking to help Prince Albert in their quest for the Ed Chynoweth Cup, and hopefully the Memorial Cup, when they start their first round playoff series tonight against the Moose Jaw Warriors.

A former Norman Northstar is continuing to make waves following his Midget "AAA" career, having been named the co-rookie of the year for the OCN Blizzard.

Norway House, MB native Anthony Apetagon received his award at the OCN Blizzard end of year banquet, which took place at the Aseneskak Casino earlier this week.

Apetagon finished the season with 33 points (19G, 14A) and 31 PIM in 54 games played. This was his first full season playing Junior "A" hockey, following a season with the Junior "B" OCN Storm. In his one season with the Storm, Apetagon picked up the Keystone Junior Hockey League scoring title, putting up 102 points (42G, 59A) with 31 PIM in 34 regular season games. He followed up that performance with 25 points (9G, 16A) in 9 playoff games.

Rookie centre Mark Liwiski joined Apetagon in the ROY honours for the Blizzard. The 16 year old from Dauphin put up 14 goals and 11 assists in 36 games, after failing to make much of an impact this season in the WHL with the Everett Silvertips. He was selected in the third round of the WHL Bantam Draft in 2016 by the Silvertips after 91 points in his final year of Bantam "AAA" hockey. Last season, Liwiski played with the Midget "AAA" Parkland Rangers, picking up 54 points (25G, 29A) in 37 games.