As a defender, I’m going to pick a defensive pair. To me, it hasn’t even been close as to who the best pair of defenders are this season in the SMJHL. QCC are tearing through the league with 99 points (15 more than any other team). They have a team +/- of almost 100 and that’s thanks in large part to their insanely efficient defensive pairing of Jari Heikkinen and Boris Petrov. They both sit at +40 (best in the league). Heikkinen has 21 points (7 goals, 24 assists) and Petrov has 26 points (12 goals, and 14 assists). That’s impressive, especially when you consider they have a combined 154 hits, 74 takeaways, and 77 shots blocked. Their defensive grades aren’t too shabby either with Heikkinen coming in at 68 and Petrov at 71. There may be some concern with Petrov as he has 124 penalty minutes, but somebody has to stand up for the team and protect the star players on that first line. Most of his penalty minutes don’t hurt the team as they are offset due to being fighting penalties. 100 of is 124 penalty minutes are matched by the other team.

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