Only a few months remain until the winners are announced.

For the 19th year, HockeyNow will soon be awarding some of the best minor hockey talent in B.C., Alberta, and Ontario with the annual Player of the Year Award.

The award has crowned some of the best young players in the country, including Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, Morgan Rielly, Griffin Reinhart, Curtis Lazar, Karl Alzner, and Colin Fraser.

February’s preliminary lists feature a slew of players who have been the major difference makers in their teams’ final regular season and playoff push. But the Minor Hockey Player of the Year Award is about a lot more than performance. The selection committee also takes into careful consideration each player’s commitment to setting a strong example in their community, their schools and on their team.

We’re in the home stretchw now. Soon we’ll be announcing the last round of finalists before the award presentation in July.

Preliminary list 
BC 2003s, february 2018

Bentham, Nolan - Yale Bntm Prep
Rock solid defenseman who is very smart and plays his position well. Excellent edge use. When he gets the puck he has a very accurate outlet pass. 

Carmichael, Elias - BWC Bntm Prep
Big, all situations defender that continues to improve and is developing a more consistent offensive game. Good size and long body - long powerful skating stride.

Chiasson, Jake - Yale Bntm Prep
Has a work ethic that is hard to ignore, and looks to make things happen out there. Plays at a high speed and high energy. Has a fantastic shot when he is given time.

Funk, Zackary - Yale Bntm Prep 
Solid forward at both ends who works hard every shift. Very good on the penalty kill - his combination of size and skill is difficult for opposing defenders to contain

Galloway, Tyson - Yale Bntm Prep
Big, smooth skating defender  continues to get better and better and plays a mature game - long reach makes him difficult to get around, good upside for this player.

Latimer, Carson - Delta BPrep Green 
Intriguing offensive skill set - breaks into the OZ with speed and is dangerous when give time/space. His speed caused issues for teams  defence as they were always on their heels.

Stankoven, Logan - Yale Bntm Prep
Had a fantastic showcase including a 7 point game. Very productive forward with pure speed and the ability to consistently create scoring chances. 

Sward, Graham - Yale Bntm Prep
Plays both ends of the ice very well, and was a consistent presence on the ice. Excellent skating, and uses it to his advantage defensively. 

Verbicky, Kobe - Yale Bntm Prep
Has a high energy game and pressures the puck hard on the forecheck. Has the ability to force turnovers.  Reads the play well and makes good decisions with the puck. 

Wong, Trevor - St. Georges 1
Tiny dynamic offensive player who carries his team - tremendous anticipation and hockey sense - very good skater who is shifty and can change direction on a dime.

Preliminary list
AB 2003s, february 2018

Armstrong, Craig - Airdrie Xtrm
One of the best players at CCSHL Bantam Showcase. Had positive impact every game, and made things happen out there. His skating is his greatest asset.

Ceulemans, Corson - OHA Edm Bntm Prep
One of the best players at CCSHL Bantam Showcase. Had positive impact every game, and made things happen out there. His skating is his greatest asset.

Grubbe, Jayden - Cal. Bisons 
Big power forward that is a handful for defenders to contain in the OZ. Shields the puck very well and was great on the down low OZ cycle.

Guenther, Dylan - N. Alb XTrm Bntm Prep 
Big goal scoring forward who is dangerous around the net. An opportunistic goal scorer and can really shoot the puck.  Backcheck pressure could be stronger.

Hyland, Brett - Cal. Bisons
Just plays the game the right way, makes others around him better - finishes his checks and competes hard in all zones. Good penalty killer and an easy guy to play with.

Lajoie, Marc - N. Alb XTrm Bntm Prep
Has a big time shot and can score from way out - plays a confident game and wants the puck on his stick - long reach and body and is tough to get around. 

Ostapchuk, Zack - N.  Alb XTrm Bntm Prep
Impressed with his development curve. Excellent set of physical tools and continues to get better and better. Can really skate and is a handful when he drives the net.

Romanchuk, Jacob - N. Alb XTrm Bntm Prep
Smart d-man who is effective at both ends of the ice. Showing better offensive upside and really strong in his own end  holds the offensive blueline well and has a good shot.

Stringer, Zack - Lethbridge
Good two-way game, and is effective at both ends of the ice. Very unselfish player - long stride but lacks leg strength.  Looks to create screens, and capitalize on rebounds.

Tschigerl, Sean - OHA Edm Bntm Prep
Fantastic CCSHL Showcase was one of the best players out there consistently. Relentless work ethic, looks to make something happen every time he is on the ice

Preliminary list 
ON 2002s, february 2018

Byfield, Quinton - York Simcoe
Big skilled offensive forward Showed great hands with an ability to control the puck. Ability to create plays out of nothing. Top line center at next level with Pro upside. 

Drysdale, Jamie - Tor Marlboro
Dynamic skater with excellent edge use and skating ability.  Projects as a top pairing offensive defender with #1 defenceman upside.

Halliday, Stephen - Tor Marlboro
Has a big frame, that still has room to fill out. Uses his size okay, but not overly physical.  Potential as a top line skilled winger at the OHL level.

Moore, Lleyton - Tor Marlboro
Can skate the puck out of trouble, needing only a few strides before he is at top speed. Calm under pressure, can make high risk plays look ordinary.

O'Rourke, Ryan - Vaughan
Two-way defenseman with good size. Has the ability to contribute both on offense and defense. OHL top pairing upside.

Perfetti, Cole - Vaughan
High end two way forward with ability to create on the rush or cycle - Strong playmaking skills.  Projects as a  first line center at  the OHL level.

Peterson, Dylan - CIH White
Dynamic offensive forward. All-around offensive threat, capable of creating offense out of very little. High-end puck skills with good vision. Top line OHL upside

Portokalis, William - Don Mills
A factor in each viewing. Continues to impress with solid two-way game driving the play in the OZ and strong defensive play. Top line center potential at next level.

Power, Owen - Miss. Reps
Able to control the game from the backend - Hard to find anything wrong with his game. Has all the tools to be a number one defender at the OHL level.

Sebrango, Donovan - CIH White
High end offensive confidence activating from blueline, used skills and smarts to create plays.  Very smart defenseman with top 2 OHL upside.