WOLFVILLE, N.S.  – Mount Royal forward Nolan Yaremko was honoured with the Senator Joseph A. Sullivan Trophy as U SPORTS men's hockey Outstanding Player of the Year Wednesday. Riley Sawchuk was also honoured in the awards announcement as he was named to the U SPORTS men's hockey Second Team All-Canadian and All-Rookie Team.

SENATOR JOSEPH A. SULLIVAN TROPHY (Player of the Year): Nolan Yaremko, Mount Royal

Leading both the MRU Cougars and all Canada West skaters, Yaremko had an incredible season collecting 39 points (19G-20A) in the regular season earning a well-deserved spot on the CW First All-star Team. This achievement also led to Yaremko earning a spot on the U SPORTS First Team All-Canadian. 

Yaremko's performance has been not only a standout among players on his team, but also Canada West, topping the entire conference in goals. Unsurprisingly, it was Yaremko who notched the Cougars' game winning goal on Saturday, Feb. 26 to lift the Cougars beyond the CW quarter-finals and into semi-final action. In doing so, this is the first time the Cougars have made it through to the semi-finals in MRU's CW / U SPORTS era history.  
 
In his two years of eligibility at MRU, Yaremko has notched 48 points (21G-27A) in 36 games and will look to continue leading the team in 2022-23.  
 
Originally from Spirit River, Alta., Yaremko was selected in the second round, 29th overall in the 2013 Western Hockey League Bantam Draft and earned a spot with the Tri-City Americans in 2014-15 and played all five seasons of his career there while becoming captain in his fifth year in 2018-19. Through 278 career games, Yaremko posted 159 points (67G-92A). In April of 2019, Yaremko signed a Amateur Tryout Contract with the Stockton Heat. 

Also earning a spot among U SPORTS men's hockey award recipients this year is Riley Sawchuk. As Canada West's Rookie of the Year, Sawchuk was just one point short of his teammate Yaremko for the league's top scoring title, posting 38 in 20 games. He had four-point nights five times this season, taking the conference by storm in his very first year.

Sawchuk's abilities on the offensive end were never-ending. He scored from all over the ice and displayed excellent play-making skills. Sawchuk is the first Rookie of the Year to come out of MRU. The Prince Alberta, Sask., product will be one to watch in the years to come.

For these efforts, Sawchuk was named to the U SPORTS Second Team All-Canadian and All-Rookie Team. 

Yaremko, Sawchuck and Men's Hockey Head Coach Bert Gilling were also nominated for U SPORTS men's hockey awards as the recipients of Canada West's Most Sportsmanlike Player of the Year, Rookie of the Year and Coach of the Year awards; respectively.