U SPORTS Men's Hockey Awards - Mitchell Balmas named Rookie of the Year
CLARE DRAKE AWARD (Rookie of the Year): Mitchell Balmas, Saint Mary's
In just his first year with the Huskies program, Balmas scored the second most points in the conference and third most in the nation – amassing 17 goals and 26 assists for 43 points on the season. A commerce student from Sydney, N.S., he was also named a U SPORTS Second Team All-Canadian and earned a place on the U SPORTS all-rookie team.
Before joining the Huskies, Balmas played most recently for the QMJHL's Cape Breton Screaming Eagles. Prior to that, his QMJHL career included seasons with the Acadie-Bathurst Titans, the Gatineau Olympiques, and the Charlottetown Islanders.
This season, he led the Huskies to a 17-12-1 regular season record and a third-place finish in the conference standings.Saint Mary's went on to sweep the UPEI Panthers in their best-of-three quarterfinal series, with Balmas contributing a goal and an assist in Game 2.
He is the third consecutive AUS player to win the award and the first from the Saint Mary's program.
Balmas was also named to the U SPORTS Rookie team and was named a 2nd team All-Canadian.
Teammate defenseman, Nick Welsh, was named a 1st team All-Canadian.