Two Creston Valley Thunder Cats players have taken out this years’ Kootenay International Junior Hockey League’s top defenceman and top scorer titles for the season.
The League has announces its overall award winners in seven categories, with Luke Chakrabarti named the top scorer in the regular season, tallying 30 goals and 45 assists for a total of 75 points in 44 games.
While he has a knack for scoring goals, Thunder Cats associate coach Gianni Mangone said his playmaking is what really stands out.
“He can score. Everyone knows that,” he said.
“I think what they didn’t really realize is that they had to worry about his linemates a lot as well. Luke was always off the rush trying to find a guy coming in late, was always thinking about making the pass to teammates for an open shot.”
Some of his highlights this season included a five-point performance against the Nelson Leafs and a seven-point night against the Spokane Braves.
Luke is joined by his younger brother, Max Chakrabarti, on the podium, who has been named the top defenceman in the KIJHL.
Max led all defencemen with 55 points in 40 games while averaging over 23 minutes a game.
Mangone said he’s the type of player that makes coaching easy.
“What really made him stand out was his breakout passing, his zone exits and joining the rush,” added Mangone.
“His skill with the puck and vision was very high level. It was pretty easy to coach, sometimes you just gotta let him loose. When you have a stallion, you let him run, and at other times you would have to reel him in.”
Season highlights for Max included a seven-point night against Spokane and a second selection to Team KIJHL for the B.C. Hockey Conference Prospects Game.
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