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Oh yeah for Ozar, Mintos top Beardy’s

Sep 19, 2017 | 9:35 PM

The scouts like what they see so far out of Prince Albert’s Alex Ozar.

Not only was he drafted in the fifth 2017 WHL Bantam Draft by the Saskatoon Blades, he then earned the distinction of being the first ever Prince Albert product to be drafted first overall in the SJHL Entry Draft—as he was the top pick to the La Ronge Ice Wolves.

But that’s his future. The present for Ozar is Midget AAA and he hopes to be playing with the Mintos.

“I thought he played really good today,” Mintos head coach Ken Morrison said. “He skates well, he’s smart and he’s pretty headsy. He’s just got to get used to the pace of the game, but I thought he did really well.

Ozar had 10 goals and 35 points with the Prince Albert Bantam AA Raiders last year, and also got into a game with the Mintos last season as a call up.

Sopotyk returning, but still recovering

Kyrell Sopotyk led the SMAAAHL with 42 goals last season and the Mintos are fortunate to have him return for his 16-year-old season.

“When he gets healthy, he’ll be dangerous,” Morrison said. “He’s got a cast right now, he broke his scaphoid or something, so he gets the cast off and they re-X-ray it, then we’ll know [when he’ll return].”

Mintos 6 Blackhawks 1

Brandon Von Hagen scored twice to lead the Mintos offensively as they defeated the Beardy’s Blackhawks 6-1 on Tuesday at the Art Hauser Centre. That improves their preseason record to 3-2. Luke Nkwama, Jaxon Tait and Hunter Schnell and Kishaun Gervais also scored for the Mintos.

Holden Knights had the lone goal for the Blackhawks.

Cale Elder made 11 saves on 12 shots in goal for the Mintos. Carter Woodside stopped all 12 pucks shot at him.

The Mintos will wrap up their preseason on Sept. 25 in Beardy’s against the Blackhawks.

Their home opener is on Oct. 5 against the Saskatoon Contacts.

 

Jeff.dandrea@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @jeff_paNOW