Swan Valley goalie a pressure performer
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Swan Valley Stampeders goaltender Jayson Argue continues to prove that his position is a different breed.
As the Stampeders prepare for their first-round MJHL playoff matchup against the OCN Blizzard, Argue can’t wait to hear the wrath of the opposing fans.
“I always have loved playing in OCN,” said Argue. “I like the fans getting on my case and I try to use that as fuel.”
That’s probably not what OCN players and fans want to hear because Argue is on a roll right now and to say he has had a great season is an understatement.
Not only was he named 2012 MJHL goalie of the year, but he was also named MVP, just the third time in the last 30 years that a goaltender has won both awards.
And he was also named the MJHL nominee for the CJHL/ RBC player of the year, which is awarded in May to the best player in Canadian Junior A hockey.
“It’s a huge accomplishment,” said Argue. “Just to hear all of that said is still pretty surprising.”
It’s not so surprising when you look at his stats. He led the league in goals-against average (2.61) and save percentage (.923) and carried the Stampeders to a third-place finish in the Sher-Wood Division.
“There’s a lot of belief in our room with him in net,” said Stampeders head coach Dwayne Kirkup. “He always plays big in a big game or big situation and I think that brings the best out of the rest of our team.”
The 18-year-old Argue is playing in his second full season as a Stampeder and says experience has been a huge factor in his success this season.
“Playing last year as a 17-year old was definitely eye-opening,” Argue said, “but coming into this year I was more confident in myself and knew what to expect.”
“He’s confident, but certainly not arrogant about his game,” Kirkup added.
Argue is a hometown boy, born and raised in Swan River, and loves playing in front of a home crowd even if it sometimes has its negatives.
“I know I have a lot of support and people on my side, but it’s also sometimes negative, because I know 70% of people in the stands and the next day I’ll see people around town, and they’ll talk to me about the game — win or lose.”
The series opens at OCN on Friday night in front of a rowdy Blizzard crowd — just the way Argue likes it.
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