2012-13 WHL Players of the Week

[chilly666]

The Western Hockey League announced today that Portland Winterhawks forward Nicolas Petan is the Denny’s WHL Player of the Week.

Petan led all WHL scorers collecting eight points, scoring four goals and four assists to go with a +6 rating, in three games over the WHL Opening Weekend helping the Winterhawks to a 2-1-0-0 record.

On Friday, September 21, the Winterhawks opened their regular season at home hosting the Seattle Thunderbirds. Petan picked up one goal and one assist in the ‘Hawks 5-2 loss to the Tbirds. The next night, Saturday, September 22, the Winterhawks were in Seattle for their home-opener at the ShoWare Center. Petan scored one goal, three assists and was named the game’s 1st Star in the Winterhawks 6-2 victory over the Thunderbirds. On Sunday, September 23, the Winterhawks travelled to Kennewick to face the Tri-City Americans. Petan gathered two more goals and was again named the game’s 1st Star as the Winterhawks doubled up the Americans 4-2.

A 17-year-old from Delta, BC, Petan is in his second full season with the Portland Winterhawks. A 1st round – 16th overall selection by the ‘Hawks in the 2010 WHL Draft, Petan gathered 35 points in his rookie season scoring 14 goals and adding 21 assists.

[chilly666]

The Western Hockey League announced today that Medicine Hat Tigers’ forward Hunter Shinkaruk is the Denny’s WHL Player of the Week.

Shinkaruk collected six points, scoring one goal and five assists to go with a +2 rating, in two games over the past week helping the Tigers to a 2-0-0-0 record.

On Friday, September 28, the Tigers were in Red Deer to face the Rebels at the Enmax Centrium. Shinkaruk picked up two assists in Tigers 5-4 win over the Rebels. The next night, Saturday, September 29, the Tigers were back at the Arena in Medicine Hat hosting the Regina Pats. Shinkaruk scored one goal, added three assists and was named the game’s 1st Star in the Tigers 5-1 victory over the Pats.

A 17-year-old (born 1994) from Calgary, AB, Shinkaruk is in his third full season with the Medicine Hat Tigers. A 1st round – 14th overall selection by the Tigers in the 2009 WHL Draft, Shinkaruk is a highly ranked prospect for the 2013 NHL Draft.

[chilly666]

The Western Hockey League announced today that Kamloops Blazers’ forward JC Lipon is the Denny’s WHL Player of the Week.

Lipon collected seven points, scoring three goals and four assists to go with a +4 rating, in two games over the past week helping the Blazers to a 2-0-0-0 record.

On Friday, October 5, the Blazers hosted the Seattle Thunderbirds at the Interior Savings Centre in Kamloops. Lipon scored one goal, added three assists and was named the game’s 2nd Star in the Blazers’ 7-2 triumph over the Thunderbirds. The next night, Saturday, October 6, the Medicine Hat Tigers were in Kamloops to face the Blazers. Lipon scored two goals, one assist and was named the game’s 1st Star in the Blazers’ 4-1 win over the Tigers.
Lipon currently sits 4th among all WHL Scorers with 12 points (three goals, nine assists) in six games played thus far this season. The Blazers currently sit second in the WHL B.C. Division and have yet to experience a regulation loss with a 5-0-0-1 record for 11 points.

A 19-year-old from Regina, SK, Lipon is in his fourth full season with the Kamloops Blazers. Originally a list player by the Blazers, Lipon has gone on to appear in 193 career WHL games, gathering 28 goals, 83 assists for a total of 111 points.

[chilly666]

The Western Hockey League announced today that Kamloops Blazers’ forward JC Lipon is the Denny’s WHL Player of the Week for the second straight week.

Lipon collected 10 points, scoring six goals and four assists to go with a +3 rating, in three games over the past week helping the Blazers to a 3-0-0-0 record.

On Wednesday, October 10, the Blazers hosted B.C. Division rivals the Victoria Royals at the Interior Savings Centre in Kamloops. Lipon scored one goal and one assist in the Blazers’ 5-2 victoria over the Royals. On Friday, October 12, the Spokane Chiefs were in Kamloops to face the Blazers. Lipon scored his first career hat-trick, finding the net three times, he also added one assist and was named the game’s 1st Star in the Blazers 5-1 win over the Chiefs. On Sunday, October 14, the Blazers were in Calgary to face the Hitmen in the first game of a five game road trip through the Central Division. Lipon scored two goals, two assists and was again named the game’s 1st Star in the Blazers 5-2 triumph over the Hitmen.

Lipon currently sits 1st among all WHL Scorers with 22 points (nine goals, 13 assists) in nine games played thus far this season. The Blazers currently sit first in the WHL B.C. Division and have yet to experience a regulation loss with a 8-0-0-1 record for 17 points.

A 19-year-old from Regina, SK, Lipon is in his fourth full season with the Kamloops Blazers. Originally a list player by the Blazers, Lipon has gone on to appear in 196 career WHL games, gathering 34 goals, 87 assists for a total of 121 points.

[chilly666]

The Western Hockey League announced today that Kamloops Blazers’ forward Colin Smith is the Denny’s WHL Player of the Week.

Smith collected 10 points, scoring three goals and seven assists to go with a +7 rating, in four games over the past week helping the Blazers to a 4-0-0-0 road record.

On Tuesday, October 16, the Kamloops Blazers continued their road trip through the WHL Central Division with a stop in Red Deer to face the Rebels. Smith scored the game winning goal, added two assists and was named the game’s 1st Star in the Blazers’ 4-0 win over the Rebels. The next night, Wednesday, October 17, the Blazers were in Edmonton to face the defending WHL Champion Oil Kings. Smith collected a pair of assists, scored the shoot-out winner and was named the game’s 3rd Star in the Blazers 5-4 shoot-out victory over the Oil Kings. On Friday, October 19, Smith scored one goal and one assist as the Blazers edged the Hurricanes 5-4 in overtime in Lethbridge. On Saturday, October 20, the Blazers were in Cranbrook to face the Kootenay Ice. Smith scored one goal, added two assists and was named the game’s 1st Star as the Blazers doubled the Ice 6-3.

Smith currently sits 2nd among all WHL Scorers with 28 points (nine goals, 19 assists) in 13 games played thus far this season. The Blazers currently sit first in the Western Hockey League and have yet to experience a regulation loss with a 12-0-0-1 record for 25 points.

A 19-year-old from Edmonton, AB, Smith is in his fourth full season with the Kamloops Blazers. The Blazers selected Smith in the 1st round – 7th overall in the 2008 WHL Draft and was recently a 7th round pick in the 2012 NHL Draft by the Colorado Avalanche.

[chilly666]

The Western Hockey League announced today that Medicine Hat Tigers’ forward Curtis Valk is the Denny’s WHL Player of the Week.

Valk collected 10 points, scoring seven goals and three assists to go with a +4 rating, in four games over the past week helping the Tigers to a 4-0-0-0 road record.

On Wednesday, October 24, the Tigers played host to the visiting Kelowna Rockets at the Arena in Medicine Hat. Valk scored two goals and was named the game’s 3rd Star in the Tigers 4-3 shoot-out victory over the Rockets. On Friday, October 26, the Tigers were in Calgary to face the Hitmen. In the Tigers 10-1 triumph over the Hitmen, Valk picked up four goals, added one assist and was named the game’s 1st Star. On Saturday, October 27, the Tigers were back at home to welcome the Regina Pats. Valk collected a pair of assists and was named the game’s 2nd Star as the Tigers edged the Pats 5-4. The Tigers wrapped up their busy week in Moose Jaw taking on the Warriors at Mosaic Place. Valk scored one goal in the Tigers 3-2 overtime victory over the Warriors.

Valk currently sits 2nd amongst all WHL snipers with 14 goals scored on the season and 4th in points with 25 (14 goals, 11 assists) in 17 games played thus far. The Tigers currently sit in a tie for 4th place in the WHL Central Division with a record of 8-8-1-0 for 17 points.

A 19-year-old from Medicine Hat, AB, Valk is in his third full season playing with his hometown Tigers. Originally a list player, Valk has gone on to appear in 144 WHL regular season games collecting 97 points (46 goals, 51 assists) and 68 penalty minutes.

[chilly666]

The Western Hockey League announced today that Tri-City Americans forward Justin Feser is the Denny’s WHL Player of the Week.

Feser collected eight points, scoring five goals and three assists to go with a +7 rating, in three games over the past week helping the Americans to a 3-0-0-0 road record.

On Friday, November 2, the Americans welcomed the Everett Silvertips to the Toyota Center. Feser collected two assists and was named the game’s 1st Star as the Ams’ edged the ‘Tips 3-2. The next night, Saturday, November 3, the Red Deer Rebels were in the Tri-City area to face the Americans. Feser scored two goals and was the games 1st Star in the Americans 5-2 win over the visiting Rebels. To wrap up a busy home-stand, the Ams’ hosted the Vancouver Giants on Sunday, November 4. Feser scored his fifth career hat-trick, finding the net three times, added one assist and for the third straight game was named 1st Star as the Ams’ downed the Giants 9-1.

Feser currently sits 12th among all WHL scorers with 23 points (13 goals, 10 assists) in 20 games played. The Americans currently hold top spot in the WHL U.S. Division with a 12-6-1-1 record for 26 points.

A 20-year-old from Red Deer, AB, Feser is playing his fifth straight year with the Tri-City Americans. Originally a 9th round pick by the Ams’ in the 2007 WHL Draft, Feser has gone on to appear in 299 WHL regular season games collecting 270 points (124 goals, 146 assists) and 142 penalty minutes.

[chilly666]

The Western Hockey League announced today that Prince Albert Raiders forward Mark McNeill is the Denny’s WHL Player of the Week.

McNeill collected seven points, scoring two goals and five assists to go with a +3 rating, in three games over the past week helping the Raiders to a 2-1-0-0 road record.

On Wednesday, November 7, the Raiders played host to East Division rivals the Swift Current Broncos at the Art Hauser Centre in Prince Albert. McNeill tallied one goal, three assists and was named the game’s 1st Star as the Raiders edged the Broncos 6-5. On Friday, November 9, the Seattle Thunderbirds were in Prince Albert to face the Raiders. McNeill collected one goal, one assist and was named the game’s 2nd Star as the Raiders blanked the Tbirds 3-0. On Saturday, November 10, McNeill picked up one assist in the Raiders 4-1 road loss to the Swift Current Broncos.

McNeill currently leads the Raiders in scoring and sits 23rd among all WHL players with 24 points (8 goals, 16 assists) in 21 games played. The Raiders currently hold top spot in the WHL East Division and 2nd in the Eastern Conference with a 13-6-0-2 record for 28 points.

A 19-year-old from Edmonton, AB, McNeill is playing his fourth straight year with the Prince Albert Raiders. A 5th overall selection by the Raiders in the 2008 WHL Draft, McNeill was selected 18th overall by the Chicago Blackhawks in the 2011 NHL Draft.

[chilly666]

The Western Hockey League announced today that Kamloops Blazers’ forward Colin Smith is the Denny’s WHL Player of the Week, for the second time this season.

Smith collected seven points, scoring one goal and six assists to go with a +5 rating, in two games over the past week helping the Blazers to a 2-0-0-0 record.

On Friday, November 16, the Blazers played host to their Western Conference rivals the Portland Winterhawks. Smith gathered, one goal, four assists and was named the game’s 1st Star in the Blazers 6-4 win over the ‘Hawks. The next night, Saturday, November 17, the Blazers welcomed the Prince George Cougars to the Interior Savings Centre. Smith picked up two assists in the Blazers 5-4 shoot-out victory over the Cougars.

Smith currently sits 2nd among all WHL Scorers with 49 points (16 goals, 33 assists) in 25 games played thus far this season. The Blazers currently sit first in the WHL B.C. Division and Western Conference with a 19-5-0-1 record for 39 points.

A 19-year-old from Edmonton, AB, Smith is in his fourth full season with the Kamloops Blazers. The Blazers selected Smith in the 1st round – 7th overall in the 2008 WHL Draft and was recently a 7th round pick in the 2012 NHL Draft by the Colorado Avalanche.

[chilly666]

The Western Hockey League announced today that Portland Winterhawks’ forward Brendan Leipsic is the Denny’s WHL Player of the Week.

Leipsic collected nine points, scoring three goals and six assists to go with a +5 rating, in three games over the past week helping the Winterhawks to a 3-0-0-0 record.

On Wednesday, November 21, the Winterhawks played host to the Vancouver Giants. Leipsic gathered three assists in the ‘Hawks 3-0 win over the Giants. On Friday, November 23, the Kootenay Ice were in Portland to face the Winterhawks at the Memorial Coliseum. Leipsic scored one goal and added an assist in the Winterhawks 4-2 victory over the Ice. On Saturday, November 24, the Winterhawks were in Seattle to face the Thunderbirds. Leipsic picked up two goals, two assists and was named the game’s 1st Star in the ‘Hawks 8-2 triumph over the ‘Tbirds.

Leipsic currently sits 5th among all WHL Scorers with 38 points (15 goals, 23 assists) in 22 games played thus far this season. The Winterhawks currently hold down top spot in the WHL U.S. Division with a 20-4-1-0 record for 41 points.

An 18-year-old from Winnipeg, MB, Leipsic is in his third full season with the Portland Winterhawks. The ‘Hawks selected Leipsic in the 6th round in the 2009 WHL Draft and was recently a 3rd round pick in the 2012 NHL Draft by the Nashville Predators.

[chilly666]

The Western Hockey League announced today that Lethbridge Hurricanes’ forward Jaimen Yakubowski is the Denny’s WHL Player of the Week.

Yakubowski collected eight points, scoring five goals and three assists to go with a +2 rating, in four games over the past week.

On Tuesday, November 27, the Hurricanes were in Saskatoon to face the Blades. Yakubowski scored one goal, one assist and was named the game’s 2nd Star in the ‘Canes 5-3 loss to the Blades. The next night, Wednesday, November 28, the Prince Albert Raiders welcomed the Hurricanes to the Art Hauser Centre. Yakubowski gathered two goals, two assists and was named the game’s 1st Star in the Hurricanes 6-4 victory over the Raiders. Following a 2-1 shoot-out loss on Saturday, December 1 in Medicine Hat, the ‘Canes were in Edmonton on Sunday, December 2, to take on the WHL defending Champion Oil Kings. Yakubowski netted two goals and was named the game’s 2nd Star, but the Oil Kings proved to be too much as they edged the Hurricanes 4-3.

Yakubowski currently sits 2nd in Hurricanes team scoring with 23 points (13 goals, 10 assists) in 32 games played thus far this season. The Hurricanes currently sit 3rd in the WHL Central Division with a 14-14-1-3 record for 32 points.

An 18-year-old from Dalmeny, SK, Yakubowski is in his second full season with the Lethbridge Hurricanes. The ‘Canes selected Yakubowski in the 4th round in the 2009 WHL Draft and has since appeared in 100 games gathering 51 points (29 goals, 22 assists) and 187 PIM’s.

[chilly666]

The Western Hockey League announced today that Lethbridge Hurricanes’ forward Jaimen Yakubowski is the Denny’s WHL Player of the Week for the second straight week.

Yakubowski collected nine points, scoring six goals and three assists to go with a +5 rating, in three games over the past week, helping the Hurricanes to a 2-0-0-1 record in that span.

On Wednesday, September 5, the Hurricanes welcomed the defending WHL Champion Edmonton Oil Kings to the Enmax Centre in Lethbridge. Yakubowski collected a pair of assists and was named the game’s 2nd Star in the ‘Canes 6-2 victory over the Oil Kings. On Friday, December 7, the Hurricanes hosted their biggest rivals, the Medicine Hat Tigers. Yakubowski scored five goals and was named the game’s 1st Star in the Hurricanes 8-7 shoot-out loss to the Tigers. The next night, Saturday, December 8, the Kootenay Ice were in town to face the ‘Canes. Yakubowski gathered one goal, one assist and was named the game’s 2nd Star in the Hurricanes 6-1 triumph over the Ice.

Yakubowski currently sits 29th among all WHL scorers with 32 points (19 goals, 13 assists) in 35 games played thus far this season. The Hurricanes currently sit 4th in the WHL Central Division with a 16-14-1-4 record for 37 points.

An 18-year-old from Dalmeny, SK, Yakubowski is in his second full season with the Lethbridge Hurricanes. The ‘Canes selected Yakubowski in the 4th round in the 2009 WHL Draft and has since appeared in 103 games gathering 60 points (35 goals, 25 assists) and 189 PIM’s.

[chilly666]

CALGARY, AB. - The Western Hockey League announced today that Saskatoon Blades’ forward Josh Nicholls is the Denny’s WHL Player of the Week.

Nicholls collected eight points, scoring three goals and five assists in four games over the past week, helping the Blades to a 4-0-0-0 record in that span.

On Tuesday, December 11, Nicholls picked up one assist in the Blades 7-5 win over the Wheat Kings in Brandon. On Wednesday, December 12, the Blades were in Moose Jaw to face the Warriors. Nicholls collected one goal, one assist and was named the game’s 1st Star in the Blades 5-2 victory over the Warriors. On Friday, December 14 the Swift Current Broncos were in Saskatoon to take on the Blades. Nicholls netted two goals, added an assist and was named the games’ 2nd Star as the Blades edged the Broncos 4-3. On Saturday, December 15, Nicholls gathered two more assists in the Blades 5-2 triumph over the visiting Kootenay Ice.

Nicholls currently leads all WHL snipers with 26 goals and sits 9th among all scorers with 44 points (26 goals, 18 assists) in 33 games played thus far this season. The Blades have won six straight and currently sit 2nd in the WHL East Division with a 19-14-0-1 record for 39 points.

A 20-year-old from Tsawwassen, BC, Nicholls is in his fifth full season with the Saskatoon Blades. The 7th round draft pick of the Toronto Maple Leafs in 2010, Nicholls was originally a 2nd round pick by the Blades in the 2007 WHL Draft and has since gone on to appear in 294 WHL games collecting a 117 goals and 272 points.

[chilly666]

CALGARY, AB. - The Western Hockey League announced today that Prince Albert Raiders’ forward Anthony Bardaro is the Denny’s WHL Player of the Week.

Bardaro collected seven points, scoring four goals and three assists to go with a +4 rating, in two games over the past week, helping the Raiders to a 2-0-0-0 record in that span.

On Friday, December 28, the Raiders played host to the Saskatoon Blades at the Art Hauser Centre in Prince Albert. Bardaro scored the game winning goal, added three assists and was named the games’ 1st Star, in the Raiders 5-4 win over the Blades. The next night, Saturday, December 29, the Blades welcomed the Raiders to the Credit Union Centre for the back-half of the home-and-home holiday series. Bardaro scored three goals, including the game winner, and was named the games’ 1st Star in the Raiders 4-2 victory over the Blades.

Bardaro currently sits 33rd among all WHL scorers with 36 points (15 goals, 22 assists) in 36 games played thus far this season. The Raiders are 6-3-0-1 in their past ten contests and currently sit 1st in the WHL East Division with a 24-11-0-3 record for 51 points.

A 20-year-old from Delta, BC, Bardaro is in his fourth full season in the Western Hockey League. Originally a 6th round WHL Draft pick by Spokane, Bardaro spent two and a half seasons with the Chiefs before joining the Raiders midway through the 2011-12 season.

[chilly666]

CALGARY, AB. - The Western Hockey League announced today that Calgary Hitmen forward Cody Sylvester is the Denny's WHL Player of the Week.

Sylvester collected eight points, scoring two goals and six assists to go with a +5 rating, in four games over the past week, helping the Hitmen to a 3-1-0-0 record in that span.

On Monday, December 31, the Hitmen were in Kootenay to take on the Ice in a New Year's Eve clash. Sylvester gathered a goal, one assist and was named the game's 2nd Star in the Hitmen's 3-2 loss to the Ice. On Wednesday, January 2, Sylvester collected three assists in Hitmen's 10-2 triumph over the visiting Wheat Kings. On Friday, January 4, the Hitmen welcomed the Moose Jaw Warriors to the Scotiabank Saddledome. Sylvester scored one goal and one assist in the Hitmen's 6-1 victory over the Warriors. On Sunday, January 6, the Hitmen wrapped up their busy week hosting the Vancouver Giants in an afternoon match-up. Sylvester nabbed one assist as the Hitmen edged the Giants 5-4.

Sylvester currently sits 14th among all WHL snipers with 22 goals and 27th among scorers with 43 points in 38 games played thus far this season. The Hitmen are 7-3-0-0 in their past ten contests and currently sit 3rd in the WHL Eastern Conference with a 27-10-1-3 record for 58 points.

A 20-year-old from Kelowna, BC, Sylvester is in his fifth and final season with the Calgary Hitmen. Originally a 8th round WHL Draft pick by the Hitmen in 2007, Sylvester has gone on to appear in 285 regular season games gathering 78 goals, 104 assists for 182 points.

The WHL has also nominated Laurent Brossoit of the Edmonton Oil Kings for the CHL Goaltender of the Week Award. Brossoit posted a 2-0-0-0 record this past week with one shut-out, stopping 66 of 68 shots faced for a 0.971 save-percentage and 1.00 goals-against average. Brossoit, a 19-year-old from Surrey, BC, helped lead the Oil Kings to a 6-2 win over the Brandon Wheat Kings and a 45-save 2-0 shut-out victory over the Hurricanes in Lethbridge.