(Image Credit: Kootenay International Junior Hockey League)

By Victor Kaisar

Rookie of the Week

Centennials’ Callum MacLean named KIJHL rookie of the week after 9-point effort

Mar 5, 2026 | 2:43 PM

MERRITT, B.C. — Callum MacLean’s nine points have earned him the KIJHL’s rookie of the week nod for the final week of the 2025-26 regular season, which ended on Feb 28.

The 19-year-old MacLean helped the Centennials close out the regular season with a pair of big wins, 8-1 over the Kelowna Chiefs on Feb. 27 and 7-2 win over the Quesnel River Rush on Feb. 28.

MacLean, who is from Yellowknife, scored four goals and added two assists for six points in the win over the Chiefs. He followed that up with a three-point night (two goals and an assist) in the win over the River Rush.

In a statement via the KIJHL, MacLean attributed his recent successes to “keeping it simple and playing to [his] strengths.”

“I like to be physical on the forecheck and force turnovers to gain and maintain puck possession,” MacLean said. “I’ve also really focused on my pre-game preparation – staying positive, visualizing what I need to do to succeed and keeping my routines consistent.”

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“The goals I scored were a combination of going hard to the net and getting shots off quickly when I had the chance. A big part of my success comes from my linemates… and we’ve had great chemistry throughout the season. We’re looking to continue that going into the playoffs.”

The Centennials (25-15-2-2) finished fourth in the Bill Ohlhausen Division with 54 points from 44 games. They’ll face the regular season champion Revelstoke Grizzlies (33-8-1-2) in the first round of playoffs for the second consecutive season.