2025-2026 ACAC Men's Overall Rookie of The Year
Edmonton, AB (April 3, 2026) –
ACAC MEN'S OVERALL ROOKIE OF THE YEAR, ALEKSA BIJELIC:
The Alberta Colleges Athletic Conference (ACAC) is pleased to announce Aleksa Bijelic of the Medicine Hat College Rattlers has been selected as the 2025-26 ACAC Overall Male Rookie of the Year.
Aleksa Bijelic established himself as a premier offensive force from the moment he stepped onto the pitch for the Medicine Hat College Rattlers. A physical, fast, and powerful left-footed forward, Bijelic provided the clinical finishing the program required, making an immediate impact with four goals in his first two conference matches. His dominant outdoor season saw him net 11 goals in just 10 games, leading the Rattlers to a winning record and an ACAC Silver Medal. These performances earned him the awards of 2026 ACAC South Male Soccer Rookie of the Year, Player of the Year, and CCAA All-Canadian status.
His transition to the hardcourt for the futsal season was equally seamless. Utilizing his signature powerful shot, he recorded a staggering 17 goals in only 8 regular season games. Bijelic’s rookie year concluded with a gold medal in Men’s Futsal at home, where he was also named the 2026 ACAC Male Futsal Rookie of the Year and made the South All-Conference team. His ability to maintain elite production across both formats guaranteed him as the 2026 ACAC Overall Male Rookie of the Year.
Terry Ballard, Medicine Hat College Manager of Athletics and Recreation, said that “Medicine Hat College Rattlers Athletics is incredibly proud of Aleksa for being named the ACAC Overall Male Rookie of the Year. Aleksa has been a true difference-maker for our programs from the moment he arrived from Moose Jaw, both the soccer pitch and the futsal court. His ability to score is matched by his presence as a leader. He is a teammate who raises the expectations of everyone around him. After a phenomenal debut season that included 28 total goals and two ACAC medals, Aleksa has made a massive impact as a first-year student-athlete, and we look forward to watching him continue to develop with Rattlers Athletics.”
Hailing from Moose Jaw, SK, Aleksa is in his first year of the Business Administration Diploma program. After a stellar rookie year in the ACAC, Aleksa looks forward to improving his numbers even further during the ACAC Men’s Soccer Championships.
The ACAC Rookie of the Year award is proudly sponsored by Vereburn Medical Supplies.
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About the ACAC: The ACAC is the governing body for intercollegiate athletics in Alberta. Its mission is to provide competitive collegiate sport experiences, promote academic achievement and be a leader of sport development in Canada.
For more information on the ACAC, please visit our website: www.acac.ab.ca
For additional information, contact:
Mark Kosak, Alberta Colleges Athletic Conference
Chief Executive Officer
403-875-7329
markk@acac.ab.ca
Emily Peterson, Alberta Colleges Athletic Conference
Marketing & Communications Coordinator
emilyp@acac.ab.ca