Portage Terriers' 17-year-old rookie forward Chase Brakel is the MJHL Recycle Everywhere Player of the Week.

The Winnipeg native has 7 points, 4 goals and 3 assists, in his last 3 games for the league leading Terriers. Brakel says there was a small learning period to start the season.

"I think I play better at a higher level. So it took me a while to adjust to the junior speed, and the physicality of the game. It took me a while to excel, I was doing pretty good in the first few months, but obviously in this past couple of months I've picked it up a bit and have been able to find the net."

Brakel has 21 goals and 18 assists this season, and is only 2 points back of rookie scoring leader and teammate Nick Henry. Brakel's always thought of himself as a shooter, and credits his recent string to a new line-mate.

"I guess I can say I have a pretty good shot, and I can pick a corner. Playing with Leiper (Jeremy Leipsic) helps, he's finding me a lot. He's first assist on 4 of my last 4 goals."

Brakel also took home the Rookie of the Month award for the month of December. This weeks runners up are 18 year old forward Gianluca Esteves of the Winnipeg Blues, and 20 year old forward Tyler Penner of the Steinbach Pistons.