Donald leads CRJHL in goal scoring at holiday break

Selkirk Fishermen forward Jordan Donald has played just 13 games this season.

But he leads the Capital Region Junior Hockey League in goal scoring with 15 at the holiday break.

He has scored three more goals than teammate Matt Brooks and the Beausejour Comets’ Aidan Ticknor.

Donald has had a great first half to the season.

“I came back from injury a couple of weeks ago and the last couple of months have been awesome for the whole team,” Donald said last Saturday. “We’ve been clicking on all cylinders and really moving well together.”

Donald had a terrific two games back to back, scoring four goals in one game and then netting a hat trick in the next one.

That definitely doesn’t happen too often.

“Growing up I was never really a scorer so putting the puck in the net like that was something I never really felt before,” Donald said. “It was cool. It was fun. It was actually kind of funny because I just came back from injury, too. It felt good to get back on the ice and put the puck in the net again.”

Donald has been playing on a line with Kyle Folhoffer the last couple of years and, more recently, Peyton Moneyas has joined that line.

Donald has played a huge part in the Fishermen’s dominating 16-0-1 record. Selkirk is comfortably in first place in the six-team league, 19 points ahead of St. Malo and Arborg.

“It’s too bad that we got the one tie but honestly with how we’ve been playing and how we’re doing, it’s something pretty special,” Donald said. 

Donald is the Fishermen’s team captain this season after being an assistant a year ago. It’s a special honour that is well deserved.

“I jumped up from the ‘A’ position last year and we didn’t have a captain last year so honestly it’s been great,” said Donald, who lives in East Selkirk. “It’s not as much work as I thought it would be but my (assistant captains) are there to help me out and that’s also pretty good. It’s cool to have the ‘C’ and it’s always an honour to have a letter.”

Fishermen head coach Chris Poponick had high praise for his veteran captain.

“He’s one of those well-rounded players and he understands the defensive zone and he can contribute on the offensive side of things,'' he said. “He’s just an all-around good leader with his hard work. He leads by example and he brings that every day to the rink whether it’s a practice or a game. He’s having fun and that’s the biggest thing that I can see from Jordan. He has enthusiasm and that joy for playing the game that really comes out. He contributes to the team and has everybody going in the same direction.”

As good as the Fishermen have been offensively this season, Donald wanted to mention the outstanding goaltending Selkirk has received this season from Owen Derewianchuk and Brendon Hocaluk. The duo has been phenomenal in combining for seven shutouts at the holiday break.

“They’ve really been doing it for us,” Donald said. “With Owen, it’s really rare to see a goalie with a .975 save percentage. He’s really been showing up for us. He’s been great and same with Brendon Hocaluk - he’s been unreal. Our goaltending has been unmatched.”

The Fishermen’s next game is Saturday (7:30 p.m.) when they play the Warriors in St. Malo. The next day, Selkirk will visit the Lundar Falcons for a 3 p.m. game.