The Dauphin Kings are once again inside the CJHL’s Top 20 rankings as the team checks in at #19 this week.
This after a weekend split against the Waywayseecappo Wolverines. Dauphin remains at the top of the West Division. And while the club prepares to open a home-and-home this weekend against Swan Valley, it’s time for another edition of the Parkland Source for Sports Three Stars of the Week.
1st Star:
It was his biggest goal as a King and his sixth overall on Friday night. Mathew Rathbone took a pass from the back end and he did the rest to record his first overtime goal with Dauphin. It was Dauphin’s lone overtime game this season and Rathbone finished it perfectly.
The 20-year-old has fit comfortably on the team’s second line and on top of his offensive touch, Rathbone plays with an edge and that works well with how this year’s team is made up.
2nd Star:
He scored Dauphin’s first two goals of the season and was the hero on September 18 as the team won their first game of the season. And while he didn’t score this past weekend, Luke Morris had a gorgeous assist on Friday night that led to a goal from Nick Braun.
Morris now has four goals and four assists in his rookie season… but it’s not necessarily his offensive touch that has everyone talking although he can make magic happen in the offensive zone.
But it’s his work ethic. Whether it’s in a practice or in a game, Morris gives it his all and never gives up. If he’s in the corner, there is a good chance he’ll come out with the puck, if he has to win a race, there is a good chance he will. Morris has earned every single second of playing time this season and he is a treat to watch. His work ethic could be compared to the likes of Grady Hobbs who as you know is playing Division 1 hockey at Rochester Institute of Technology.
3rd Star:
Nolan Wickham is a defender, that’s what he knows and has excelled at in the past. But with a solid back end in place and some banged up bodies, the former Southwest Cougar had the chance to get back in the lineup, playing a position he wasn’t used to.
Wickham played both games this past weekend as a forward and he was quite impressive. He used his body multiple times to setup chances, had a few shots of his own and he even drew a penalty by going hard to the net.
It’s not everyday that you’re going to see a full-time defenceman having success while playing forward, but Wickham did just that.