Crushers select Hawley, Mason as territorial picks

The Pictou County Weeks Crushers have announced their territorial picks in advance of the Maritime Junior Hockey League draft.

Weeks Major Midgets players Jaden Mason and Mason Hawley were selected by the club in advance of this coming weekend’s draft, which will take place in Miramichi, N.B.

The Crushers utilized Jake Martin and Evan MacLennan in their rookie seasons last season, got good results from the local players and Crushers coach Doug Doull expects the trend to continue.

“We plan on having Pictou County kids step in again this year. The job (Weeks Major Midget coach) Kyle MacLennan and his staff are doing with the Midgets has been incredible. They are coming in prepared and our goal is to see five, six Pictou County kids on our roster next year.”

Hawley and Mason both played forward with the Major Midgets this past season. In 37 regular season games, Mason collected 23 goals and 40 assists, while Hawley had a goal and six assists.

Mason was also selected this past weekend by the Moncton Wildcats, in the sixth round of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League draft.

The chance to perform at the next level will always be a big challenge for any young player, Doull added.

“We have produced two consecutive (MHL) rookies of the year because Michael Dill and Dylan Riley are great players first, but trusting them to seize the opportunity was the commitment on our end. I see two or three kids being given that chance again next year.”