EVERETT — Everett Silvertips forward Jackson Berezowski was named the U.S. Division Player of the Year and finalist for the Western Hockey League’s Four Broncos Memorial Trophy given annually to the overall top player, the league announced Wednesday.
The Yorkton, Saskatchewan, native finished second among U.S. Division skaters with 81 points during the regular season. Berezowski’s 48 goals during the 2022-23 regular season set a new Silvertips franchise record and was also the third-highest total of any WHL skater.
The 21-year-old captain also shattered the franchise record for career goals, surpassing Patrick Bajkov’s previous mark of 112 and finishing with 130 in 273 career games. Berezowski’s scoring prowess this season, coupled with a 46-goal campaign in 2021-22, distinguished him as the only Silvertip to record multiple 40-goal seasons in franchise history.
“This is a special honor for him and very well-deserved,” Silvertips general manager and head coach Dennis Williams said in a press release. “An award like this is determined by coaching peers and general managers around the league, which I think is the ultimate compliment to any player. He’s been great all season for us.”
Berezowski, a 5-foot-10, 191-pound forward, was originally selected by the Silvertips in the second round of the 2017 WHL draft and finished his WHL with a career total of 232 points.
The other finalists for the Four Broncos Memorial Trophy include reigning winner Logan Stankoven of Kamloops (B.C. Division), Red Deer’s Kai Uchacz (Central Division) and Regina’s Connor Bedard (East Division).
The Four Broncos Memorial Trophy has only been won by one Silvertip in franchise history, with current NHL goaltender Carter Hart earning the honor in 2017-18.
The winner of the Four Broncos Memorial Trophy will be announced Wednesday, May 10.
Everett finished the regular season fourth in the U.S. Division with a record of 33-32-2-1 and was eliminated by the Portland Winterhawks in the first round of the playoffs in five games.
“With the events of our season we had, he’s been the constant for us,” Williams added. “He’s been there every night battling and competing. He leads our group offensively, leads our powerplay and is a great leader in the locker room. We’re very grateful for his five years here and we know he has a bright future playing pro hockey.”
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