Justin Almeida has etched his name in Moose Jaw Warriors and Canadian Hockey League history.

The Warriors forward became just the second player in franchise history to win the CHL Sportsman of the Year award on Saturday at the CHL Awards in Halifax, joining Jason Bast in 2009-10.

"It's definitely an honour," Almeida told CHL.ca after the awards ceremony.

"I don't like the feeling of sitting in the box and hoping that they don't score on the power play, so any time I can be on the ice, it's better for my team, so I try to stay on the ice."

Almeida posted 111 points, third in the WHL, and finished with just 14 penalty minutes in 64 games. The Kitimat, B.C. product did all of that while playing with an injured shoulder since November.

He said confidence was key to the season that he was able to put together, "I just want to be the best player when I'm on the ice," he said. "The coaching staff, management and teammates all helped and I wouldn't be here without them, so lots of credit to them."

Over four WHL seasons, Almeida has 89 goals and 243 points in 256 games, including 83 goals and 209 points in 169 games with the Warriors.

Almeida was selected by the Pittsburgh Penguins in the fifth round of the 2018 NHL Draft and signed a three-year entry-level contract with the Penguins in March.

Warriors forward Brayden Tracey was also the WHL nominee for CHL Rookie of the Year, but he was beaten out for the award by Sudbury Wolves forward Quinton Byfield. Tracey had 36 goals and 81 points in 66 games during his first season with the Warriors.