For the second straight season, Nolan Allan has received the Belle Merrell & Calla Grasley Award as the Prince Albert Raiders’ scholastic player of the year.
Allan was one of two players to receive trophies on Wednesday as part of the Western Hockey League team’s year-end awards, with Eric Pearce being named the club’s best defensive forward.
The 18-year-old Allan had a 90 per cent average as a Grade 12 student at Davidson High School this year, with his second semester studies taking place while he suited up for the Raiders in the Regina hub centre and also represented Canada at the World Under-18 Hockey Championship in Texas.
“I wouldn’t have been able to do this without my teammates and my teachers, as they’ve been flexible and helpful through these challenging times,” Allan said in a video that was posted on the Raiders’ website.
Allan, who shared the award with blueliner Landon Kosior last season, is the first Raider to receive the top scholastic player honours in consecutive seasons since goaltender Nick McBride won it in 2014 and 2015.
McBride shared his second Belle Merrell & Calla Grasley Award with forward Matteo Gennaro.
A projected early round pick in this July’s NHL Entry Draft, Allan had two points in 16 games for the Raiders this season and also had two points in seven games during Canada’s run to the World Under-18’s gold medal last month.
The 19-year-old Pearce, who is from Regina, had his best campaign to date for the Raiders this year as he had 16 points in 24 games.
He also had a team-best plus-13 rating, won 54 per cent of his faceoffs and played on the Raiders penalty killing unit.
“I’d like to thank my coaches for having trust in me in all situations on the ice,” Pearce said.
“I’d also like to thank my teammates. This isn’t an individual award, as I couldn’t have done this without all of my different linemates and our two goalies (Max Paddock and Carter Serhyenko).”
