HUMBOLDT — Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League goaltenders do not want to see Humboldt Broncos forward Alec Saretzky anywhere near the net.
As of Sunday, the hockey sniper from Saskatoon was tied with teammate Connor McGrath for third in the league in goals. Saretzky has racked up 27 in 49 games. Acquired from the British Columbia Hockey League in September, Saretzky quickly established himself as a dangerous SJHL goal scorer. The 19-year-old lit the lamp at least once in each of his first five games as a Bronco. In those contests, he racked up eight goals and nine points. He has continued to make league goalies see red.
“Alec is a very smart player,” Humboldt head coach Scott Barney said. “He gets into those dirty areas. He gets into those high soft areas in the slot. He can really shoot the puck.”
Saretzky started his junior career with the BCHL’s Surrey Eagles. The Broncos were pleased to bring the former fourth overall pick in the 2017 SJHL Bantam Draft (by Melville) back home to Saskatchewan. He had 25 goals and 56 points in 44 games in his final U18 AAA season for the Saskatoon Blazers. After posting four goals and nine points in 17 games with the Eagles, Saretzky had 52 points for Humboldt as of Sunday, which placed him sixth in the league scoring race.
“He’s got high skill,” Barney said. “Alec sees the game and thinks the game ahead of most players. Obviously, he’s been successful in getting offensive numbers his whole career and he’s continued that here this season. Really happy to have him here.”
While Saretzky has posted impressive individual numbers, Barney emphasized that the winger is a true team player. He has helped Humboldt post the second-best record (37-12-0-0) in the SJHL this season, as of Sunday.
“He always puts the team before himself, which is a true indicator of his character,” Barney said. “He wants to win every single time he’s on the ice.”
Saretzky is part of a talented Broncos lineup that racks up points. As of Sunday, Humboldt was second in the SJHL in goals for with 199, trailing only league-leading Estevan’s 221. After Saturday, the Broncos had four of the league’s top 10 scorers: McGrath, first, 68 points; Saretzky, 6th, 52; Matthew Perkins, 8th 49; and Braiden Koran, 9th, 48. As well, Bronco Lucas Ceccarelli was 23rd in the SJHL with 39 points. Humboldt homegrown defenceman Noah Barlage was second among SJHL blue liners with 33 points.
“The biggest reason for our success has been the depth in our line up and different players are producing every game,” Barney said.
The head coach said Saretzky is great at working with his teammates. Lately he has been on a line with Ceccarelli and Perkins, who has committed to play at NCAA Division I University of Minnesota-Duluth. Earlier this season Saretzky often was on a line with Perkins and LeRoy’s McGrath, who is also headed to a D1 school – Ferris State University.
“Both players on the line have a scholarship and I believe Alec is a major part in that and deserves one as well,” Barney said.
The Broncos last week
Tuesday, Feb. 9 in Humboldt
Humboldt 3, Notre Dame 1
Broncos Scorers: Connor McGrath (2), Samuel Marburg
Hounds Scorer: Antoine Saint-Onge
Goalies: Rayce Ramsay, Humboldt, 21 saves on 22; Austin Elliott, Notre Dame, 28 on 31
Attendance: 603
Notes: After a scoreless first period, the Broncos lit the lamp twice in the second. McGrath’s first marker came on the powerplay. Notre Dame responded with a goal in the third, but McGrath scored his second of the night. “The boys came out very hard from the start and put a very good 60 minutes together,” Humboldt head coach Scott Barney said.
Friday, Feb. 11 In Nipawin
Humboldt 2, Nipawin 1
Broncos Scorers: Braiden Koran, Connor McGrath
Hawks Scorer: Christian Albertson
Goalies: Rayce Ramsay, Humboldt, 21 saves on 22; Chase Hamm, Nipawin, 25 on 27
Attendance: 521
Notes: Albertson’s goal put Nipawin up 1-0 in the first period. McGrath and Koran, on a powerplay, scored in the second to put Humboldt on top for good. Neither team scored in the third. “It was a very physical game, and we were able to generate some offence in the second. Nipawin played a very strong game, and it was a hard-fought win for us,” Broncos head coach Scott Barney said.
This Week
The Humboldt Broncos (37-12-0-0) host Notre Dame (20-20-3-2) Tuesday. They are in Nipawin (15-27-0-6) on Friday and Kindersley (22-25-1-1) Saturday.
