2012-13 WHL Players of the Week

[chilly666]

CALGARY, AB. - The Western Hockey League announced today that Portland Winterhawks defenceman Troy Rutkowski is the Denny’s WHL Player of the Week.

Rutkowski collected 10 points, scoring six goals and four assists to go with a +8 rating, in four games over the past week, helping the Winterhawks to a 4-0-0-0 record in that span.

On Tuesday, January 8, the Winterhawks hosted Prince George in the first of back-to-back games versus the Cougars at home. Rutkowski gathered two goals, one assist and was named the games’ 2nd Star in the ‘Hawks 6-4 win over the Cougars. The next night, Wednesday, January 9, Rutkowski scored the game winning goal in the Winterhawks 3-0 shut-out victory over the Cougars. On Friday, January 11, the Winterhawks welcomed U.S. Division rivals the Spokane Chiefs to the Rose Garden in Portland. Rutkowski picked up one goal, two assists and was named the games’ 1st Star in the Winterhawks 5-2 triumph over the Chiefs. The Winterhawks wrapped up a busy week Saturday, January 12, in Everett taking on the Silvertips. Rutkowski scored two goals, one assist, and was again named the game’s 1st Star in the ‘Hawks 8-0 blanking of the ‘Tips.

Rutkowski currently sits 2nd among all WHL defenceman in scoring with 43 points (15 goals, 28 assists) in 43 games played thus far this season. The Winterhawks have won 14 straight games and sit atop the WHL Western Conference and entire League with a remarkable 37-5-1-0 record for 75 points.

A 20-year-old from Edmonton, AB, Rutkowski is in his fifth and final season with the Portland Winterhawks. Originally a list player by the Winterhawks, Sylvester has gone on to appear in 322 regular season games gathering 56 goals, 137 assists for 193 points. The Colorado Avalanche selected him in the 5th round of the 2010 NHL Draft.

[chilly666]

CALGARY, AB. - The Western Hockey League announced today that Victoria Royals forward Alex Gogolev is the Denny’s WHL Player of the Week.

Gogolev collected 12 points, scoring three goals and nine assists to go with a +2 rating, in four games over the past week, helping the Royals to a 4-0-0-0 record in that span.

On Tuesday, January 15, the Royals welcomed the Kamloops Blazers to Save-On-Foods Memorial Arena in the first of pair of games in Victoria. Gogolev scored one goal and added two assists in Royals 6-4 win over the Blazers. The next night, Wednesday, January 16, Gogolev nabbed two assists in the Royals 3-2 shoot-out victory over the Blazers. On Friday, January 18, the Royals were in Vancouver to face the Giants. Gogolev scored the game winning goal, added two assists and was named the games’ 2nd Star as the Royals tripled the Giants 6-2. On Saturday, January 19, the Royals travelled to Kamloops to face the Blazers for the third time in five days. Gogolev gathered one goal, three assists and was named the games’ 2nd Star as the Royals edged the Blazers 5-4.

Gogolev currently sits 15th among all WHL scorers with 55 points (16 goals, 39 assists) in 42 games played thus far this season. The Royals have have won five straight games and currently sit 6th in the WHL Western Conference with a 25-17-1-2 record for 53 points.

A 20-year-old from Moscow, RUS, Gogolev is playing his second season in the Western Hockey League. Originally a 2nd round-63rd overall CHL Import Draft selection by the Calgary Hitmen, Gogolev joined the Royals prior to the start of the 2012-13 season.

[chilly666]

CALGARY, AB. - The Western Hockey League announced today that Victoria Royals forward Alex Gogolev is the Denny’s WHL Player of the Week.

Gogolev collected 12 points, scoring three goals and nine assists to go with a +2 rating, in four games over the past week, helping the Royals to a 4-0-0-0 record in that span.

On Tuesday, January 15, the Royals welcomed the Kamloops Blazers to Save-On-Foods Memorial Arena in the first of pair of games in Victoria. Gogolev scored one goal and added two assists in Royals 6-4 win over the Blazers. The next night, Wednesday, January 16, Gogolev nabbed two assists in the Royals 3-2 shoot-out victory over the Blazers. On Friday, January 18, the Royals were in Vancouver to face the Giants. Gogolev scored the game winning goal, added two assists and was named the games’ 2nd Star as the Royals tripled the Giants 6-2. On Saturday, January 19, the Royals travelled to Kamloops to face the Blazers for the third time in five days. Gogolev gathered one goal, three assists and was named the games’ 2nd Star as the Royals edged the Blazers 5-4.

Gogolev currently sits 15th among all WHL scorers with 55 points (16 goals, 39 assists) in 42 games played thus far this season. The Royals have have won five straight games and currently sit 6th in the WHL Western Conference with a 25-17-1-2 record for 53 points.

A 20-year-old from Moscow, RUS, Gogolev is playing his second season in the Western Hockey League. Originally a 2nd round-63rd overall CHL Import Draft selection by the Calgary Hitmen, Gogolev joined the Royals prior to the start of the 2012-13 season.

[chilly666]

CALGARY, AB. - The Western Hockey League announced today that Edmonton Oil Kings’ forward Henrik Samuelsson is the Denny’s WHL Player of the Week.

Samuelsson collected 10 points, scoring two goals and eight assists to go with a +5 rating, in four games over the past week, helping the Oil Kings to a 4-0-0-0 record in that span.

On Tuesday, January 22, Samuelsson picked up one assist in the Oil Kings 7-0 triumph over the Warriors in Moose Jaw. The next night, Wednesday, January 23, Samuelsson collected a goal, an assist and was named the game’s 2nd Star as the Oil Kings doubled the Blades 4-2 in Saskatoon. On Saturday, January 26, the Oil Kings were back home at Rexall Place in Edmonton playing host to the Brandon Wheat Kings. Samuelsson nabbed three assists and was named the game’s 3rd Star in the Oil Kings 5-2 win over the Wheaties. The next afternoon, the Oil Kings welcomed the Lethbridge Hurricanes to Rexall. Samuelsson scored one goal, added three assists and was named the game’s 2nd Star in the Oil Kings 7-1 victory over the ‘Canes.

Samuelsson currently sits 11th among all WHL scorers with 61 points (26 goals, 35 assists) in 51 games played thus far this season. The Oil Kings have won five straight games, eight of their last 10 and currently sit 1st in the WHL Eastern Conference with a 35-11-2-3 record for 75 points.

An 18-year-old from Scottsdale, AZ, Samuelsson is playing his second season in the Western Hockey League. A list player who joined the Oil Kings mid-way through last season, the Phoenix Coyotes recently selected Samuelsson in the 1st round – 27th overall in the 2012 NHL Draft.

[chilly666]

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

Smith collected 10 points, scoring four goals and six assists in four games over the past week, helping the Blazers to a 3-1-0-0 record in that span.

On Monday, January 28, the Blazers hosted B.C. Division rivals the Kelowna Rockets. Smith scored one goal, added two assists and was named the game’s 2nd Star in the Rockets 6-5 overtime win over the Rockets. On Wednesday, January 30, in Portland, Smith picked up one goal in the Blazers 5-2 loss to the Winterhawks. On Friday, February 1, the Blazers were back in Kamloops hosting the Spokane Chiefs. Smith collected one goal, four assists and was named the games’ 2nd Star in the Blazers 7-4 triumph over the visiting Chiefs. On Saturday, February 2, in Everett, Smith scored one goal in Blazers 3-2 shoot-out road victory over the Silvertips.

Smith currently sits 3rd among all WHL scorers with 86 points (36 goals, 50 assists) in 55 games played thus far this season. The Blazers are 6-3-0-1 their last 10 and currently sit 3rd in the WHL Western Conference with a 35-15-2-3 record for 75 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]

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

Walker collected nine points, scoring four goals and five assists to go with a +6 rating in four games over the past week, helping the Blades to a 4-0-0-0 record in that span.

On Tuesday, February 5, the Blades welcomed East Division rivals the Moose Jaw Warriors to the Credit Union Centre in Saskatoon. Walker scored two goals and was named the games’ 3rd Star as the Blades edged the Warriors 5-4. The next night, Wednesday, February 6, Walker nabbed three assists in the Blades 7-1 win over the visiting Prince Albert Raiders. On Friday, February 8, Walker picked up one assist in the Blades 4-1 road victory over the Swift Current Broncos. On Saturday, February 9, the Blades were back at home to face the Lethbridge Hurricanes. Walker netted two goals, one assist and was named the games’ 1st Star in the Blades 5-2 win over the ‘Canes.

Walker currently sits 4th in Blades team scoring with 51 points (20 goals, 31 assists) in 55 games played thus far this season. The Blades have won eight straight contests and are making a move up the WHL Eastern Conference standings currently sitting 4th with a 31-21-0-3 record for 65 points.

A 20-year-old from St. Anne, MB, Walker is in his fourth full season of play in the Western Hockey League. Originally a 12th round WHL Draft selection by Brandon in 2007, Walker joined the Saskatoon Blades prior to the start of the 2012-13 season after spending three years with the Wheat Kings and has gone on to appear in 252 career regular season games collecting 203 points (80 goals, 123 assists) thus far.

[chilly666]

CALGARY, AB. - The Western Hockey League announced today that Moose Jaw Warriors defenceman Morgan Rielly is the Denny’s WHL Player of the Week.

Rielly collected five points, scoring four goals and one assist to go with a +3 rating in three games over the past week, helping the Warriors to a 2-1-0-0 record in that span.

On Tuesday, February 12, the Warriors welcomed the Prince Albert Raiders to Moose Jaw’s Mosaic Place. Rielly scored two goals and was named the game’s 1st Star in the Warriors 4-1 win over the Raiders. On Friday, February 15, the Warriors were defeated by the streaking Saskatoon Blades 3-1. On Saturday, February 16, the Warriors were in Prince Albert to take on the Raiders. Rielly netted two goals, added an assist and was named the game’s 1st Star in the Warriors 4-3 victory over the Raiders.

Rielly currently sits 4th among all WHL defenceman in scoring with 44 points (11 goals, 33 assists) in 47 games played thus far this season. The Moose Jaw Warriors currently sit 10th in the Eastern Conference standings with a 20-30-3-6 record for 49 points.

An 18-year-old from Vancouver, BC, Rielly is in his third season with the Moose Jaw Warriors. The Moose Jaw Warriors made Rielly the 2nd overall selection in the 2009 WHL Draft and was recently selected 5th overall by the Toronto Maple Leafs in the 2012 NHL Draft.

[chilly666]

CALGARY, AB. - The Western Hockey League announced today that Tri-City Americans forward Justin Feser is the Denny’s WHL Player of the Week, for the second time this season.

Feser collected a remarkable 13 points, scoring six goals and seven assists to go with a +7 rating in three games over the past week, helping the Americans to a 3-0-0-0 record in that span.

On Tuesday, February 19, the Tri-City Americans played host to the Vancouver Giants. Feser scored three goals, including the game-winner, added an assist and was named the game’s 1st Star in Ams’ 5-4 win over the Giants. On Friday, February 22, the Everett Silvertips were in Tri-City to face the Americans. Feser collected two goals, two assists and was again named the games’ 1st Star as the Ams’ tripled the ‘Tips 6-2. On Saturday, February 23 the Americans took on defending WHL Champions the Edmonton Oil Kings at the Toyota Center. Feser nabbed one goal, four assists and for the third straight game was named the games’ 1st Star in the Americans 8-1 triumph over the visiting Oil Kings.

Feser currently sits 5th among all WHL scorers with 92 points (38 goals, 54 assists) in 61 games played thus far this season. The Tri-City Americans have won their last five games and currently sit 4th in the WHL Western Conference with a 36-22-1-2 record for 75 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 340 WHL regular season games collecting 339 points (149 goals, 190 assists) and 181 penalty minutes.

[chilly666]

CALGARY, AB. - The Western Hockey League announced today that Edmonton Oil Kings forward Michael St. Croix is the Denny’s WHL Player of the Week.

St. Croix collected nine points, scoring two goals and seven assists to go with a +5 rating in three games over the past week, helping the Oil Kings to a 3-0-0-0 road record in that span.

On Tuesday, February 26, the Oil Kings were in Seattle to face the Thunderbirds. St. Croix gathered one goal, two assists and was named the games’ 2nd Star as the Oil Kings tripled the Tbirds 6-2. On Wednesday, February 27, the Portland Winterhawks hosted the Oil Kings in a finalist reunion of the 2012 WHL Championship Series. St. Croix collected one goal, one assist and was named the game’s 3rd Star as the Oil Kings edged the ‘Hawks 4-3. The Oil Kings wrapped up their U.S. Division road trip with a stop in Everett on Friday, March 1. St. Croix nabbed four assists and was named the games’ 1st Star in the Oil Kings 7-1 triumph over the Silvertips.

St. Croix currently sits 9th among all WHL scorers with 83 points (33 goals, 50 assists) in 66 games played thus far this season. The Edmonton Oil Kings have won 16 of their last 20 contests and currently sit 1st in the WHL Eastern Conference with a 46-15-2-3 record for 97 points.

A 19-year-old from Winnipeg, MB, St. Croix is playing his fourth straight year with the Edmonton Oil Kings. Originally a 4th overall selection by the Oil Kings in the 2008 WHL Draft, the shifty centerman was selected in the 4th round of the 2011 NHL Draft by the New York Rangers.

[chilly666]

CALGARY, AB. - The Western Hockey League announced today that Calgary Hitmen forward Cody Sylvester is the Denny’s WHL Player of the Week, for the second time this season.

Sylvester collected 12 points, scoring five goals and seven assists to go with a +8 rating in four games over the past week, helping the Hitmen to a 4-0-0-0 road record in that span.

On Tuesday, March 5, the Hitmen were in Saskatoon to face the Blades. Sylvester collected seven points (one goal and six assists), a Hitmen franchise record for points in a single game, and was named the game’s 1st Star in their 9-5 win over the Blades. The next night, Wednesday, March 7, the Hitmen were in Prince Albert to face the Raiders. Sylvester gathered one goal and one assist in Hitmen’s 4-3 road victory over the Raiders. On Saturday, March 9, the Hitmen were back at home to host the Lethbridge Hurricanes. Sylvester picked up two goals in Hitmen’s 9-0 triumph over the ‘Canes. The Hitmen wrapped up a busy week Sunday, March 10, hosting the Red Deer Rebels. Sylvester scored one goal in the Hitmen’s 4-3 over-time win over the Rebels.

Sylvester currently sits 11th among all WHL scorers with 84 points (38 goals, 46 assists) in 66 games played thus far this season. The Calgary Hitmen are 6-3-0-1 in their past 10 contests and currently sit 3rd in the WHL Eastern Conference with a 44-20-1-4 record for 93 points.

A 20-year-old from Kelowna, BC, Sylvester is playing his fifth straight year with the Calgary Hitmen. Originally an 8th round selection in the 2007 WHL Draft, Sylvester has gone on to appear 313 career regular season games thus far, gathering 223 points (94 goals, 129 assists).

[chilly666]

CALGARY, AB. - The Western Hockey League announced today that Portland Winterhawks forward Nicolas Petan is the Denny’s WHL Player of the Week, for the second time this season.

Petan collected 9 points, scoring one goal and eight assists to go with a +5 rating in three games over the past week, helping the Winterhawks to a 4-0-0-0 record.

On Tuesday, March 12th, the Winterhawks were in Victoria to face the Royals. Petan chipped in one assist in a 4-1 victory. Three nights later, on Friday, March 15th, Petan assisted 3 times in an 8-4 victory over Seattle. Then on Saturday, March 16th, Petan finished up his regular season with a goal and four assists in a 6-5 shootout win, again against Seattle.

The five point night moved Petan into a tie for the league scoring race with teammate Brendan Leipsic, each finishing with 120 points. The Portland Winterhawks ended the season with a six game winning streak to finish tops in the WHL standings with 117 points to claim the Scotty Munro Trophy.

A 17-year-old from Delta, BC, Petan is playing his second full season with the Portland Winterhawks. Originally a 1st round selection in the 2010 WHL Draft, Petan has appeared in 135 career regular season games, gathering 156 points (60 goals, 96 assists).

[chilly666]

Calgary, AB - The Western Hockey League announced today that Edmonton Oil Kings’ forward Stephane Legault is the Denny’s WHL Player of the Week.

Legault collected 8 points, scoring three goals and five assists to go with a +5 rating in two games over the past week as the Oil Kings managed a 1-0-1 record versus the Kootenay Ice in their Husky WHL Eastern Conference quarter final series.

On Friday, March 22nd, Legault enjoyed a career performance, netting three goals and four assists for seven points along with a +4 rating while being named the game’s 1st Star in a 9-0 victory over the visiting Ice in the series opener. Legault’s seven-point outing equaled the second-highest single-game point total by a WHL player in a playoff game. On Sunday, March 24th, Legault notched an assist and a +1 rating in a 2-1 overtime loss to the visiting Ice in Game 2 of their Husky WHL Eastern Conference quarter final series.

Legault, a 19-year-old from Edmonton, AB, is in his third full season in the WHL with the Edmonton Oil Kings. The 5’11”, 179-lb left wing currently leads all WHL players in post-season scoring with eight points, and has amassed eight goals and 22 points with a +15 rating in 22 career playoff games for the Oil Kings.

[chilly666]

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

Leipsic collected 9 points, scoring four goals and five assists, while posting a +3 rating in three games over the past week as the skated to a 2-1 record in three games of their Kal Tire WHL Western Conference quarter final series versus the Everett Silvertips.

On Wednesday, March 27th, Leipsic scored once and set up two more while earning 2nd Star honors in a 7-3 road victory over the Silvertips in Game 3 of the series. On Friday, March 29th, Leipsic scored twice and picked up three assists for a five-point effort while earning 2nd Star honors in an 11-4 win over the Silvertips in Everett in Game 4 of the series. On Saturday, March 30th, Leipsic scored for a third straight game as the Winterhawks fell 3-2 to the visiting Silvertips in Game 5 of the series.

Leipsic, an 18-year-old from Winnipeg, MB, is in his third full season in the WHL with the Portland Winterhawks. The 5’9”, 170-lb center currently shares the WHL lead in post-season scoring with 11 points in just five games. A Nashville Predators prospect, Leipsic shared the WHL regular-season scoring lead with Portland line mate Nic Petan, each posting 120 points, and led all WHL players with 49 goals.

[chilly666]

Calgary, AB - The Western Hockey League announced today that Kamloops Blazers forward Brendan Ranford is the Denny’s WHL Player of the Week.

Ranford collected 8 points, netting three goals and five assists, while posting a +5 rating in three games over the past week as the Blazers skated to three wins in three post-season games in the Kal Tire WHL Western Conference.

On Monday, April 1st, Ranford chipped in four assists and a +3 rating as the Blazers closed out their Kal Tire WHL Western Conference quarter final series versus the Victoria Royals with a 6-2 win. On Saturday, April 6th, Ranford scored twice and was named the game’s 1st Star in a 4-2 victory over the Kelowna Rockets in Game 1 of their Kal Tire WHL Western Conference semi-final series. On Sunday, April 7th, Ranford picked up a goal and an assist to go with 1st Star honors in a 5-1 triumph over the Rockets in Game 2 of the series.

Ranford, a 20-year-old product of Edmonton, AB, is in fifth and final season in the WHL with the Kamloops Blazers. The 5’10”, 181-lb left wing currently sits tied for third in WHL post-season scoring with 14 points in eight games. The Blazers’ career leader with 348 regular-season games played, Ranford has piled up 137 goals and 357 points in a Blazers jersey. He is currently a free agent.

[chilly666]

The Western Hockey League announced today that Edmonton Oil Kings forward Henrik Samuelsson is the Denny’s WHL Player of the Week.

Samuelsson collected 5 points, netting four goals and one assist, while posting a +3 rating in two games over the past week as the Oil Kings skated to two wins to close out their Husky WHL Eastern Conference semi-final series versus the Kootenay Ice.

On Tuesday, April 9th, Samuelsson scored two goals and was named the game’s 3rd Star while helping the Oil Kings post a 9-2 win over the Ice in Cranbrook, B.C. in game 3 of their best-of-seven series. On Wednesday, April 10th, Samuelsson scored twice and added an assist for a three-point effort as the visiting Oil Kings skated to a 4-2 victory over the Kootenay Ice in Cranbrook, completing a four-game sweep of the Ice.

Samuelsson, an 18-year-old from Scottsdale, AZ, is in his second season in the WHL with the Edmonton Oil Kings. The 6’3”, 208-lb center has posted six goals and 11 points in nine post-season games to help the Oil Kings advance to their second consecutive appearance in the Husky WHL Eastern Conference Championship Series. Samuelsson, who was selected 27th overall by the Phoenix Coyotes in the 2012 NHL Draft, scored 33 goals and 80 points in 69 games for the Oil Kings during the 2012-13 WHL regular season.