By Erika Chorostil

AJHL Rookie and Defensive Player of the Week

Drayton Valley Thunder’s Marcellus and Ward earn AJHL Player of the Week honours

Apr 28, 2021 | 12:21 PM

Two members of the Drayton Valley Thunder have earned AJHL Player of the Week honours for April 19 to the 25.

For the second time this season, Thunder forward Mason Marcellus has been named the AJHL Rookie of the Week. The 18 year-old leads all rookies with 17 points (5G, 12A) and is third in the AJHL scoring race.

The Thunder recorded two consecutive 4-1 wins over the Spruce Grove Saints on April 23 and 24. Marcellus scored the first and third Thunder goals and was rewarded as the Viterra AJHL Star of the Game in the opening game of the weekend. The next night, Marcellus assisted on the first goal of the game and added an assist on the game-winner.

Marcellus, from Ottawa, Ontario, has committed to the University of Alaska Fairbanks of the NCAA Division I for the 2022-23 season.

Thunder goaltender Eric Ward is the Defensive Player of the Week, after posting a 2-0 record versus Spruce Grove over the weekend. Over two games, Ward turned away 68 of 70 shots on goal and posted a 1.0 GAA. He also helped out offensively with an assist as well.

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Ward, who is from Edmonton, leads the AJHL in most games played with 11 and is tied for most wins after recording each of Drayton Valley’s seven wins this season. He also leads the AJHL in saves with 333 and save percentage at .922%.