Image credit: WHL

By Vernon Matters Staff

Junior hockey

WHL hands out regular season awards

Jun 2, 2022 | 9:35 AM

The Western Hockey League has announced the winners of its awards for the 2021-22 season.

The 2022 WHL Awards are dedicated to the memory of Brad Hornung.

“Congratulations to our WHL Division Award finalists as well as our League-wide award winners, who are being honoured today,” said WHL Commissioner Ron Robison. “You have left your mark on the WHL, and we are honoured to celebrate your amazing accomplishments.”

The 2022 WHL Awards were voted upon by WHL General Managers and members of the media.

Four Broncos Memorial Trophy – WHL Player of the Year presented by Kia Canada

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WINNER: Logan Stankoven (Kamloops, B.C.) – Kamloops Blazers

The Dallas Stars prospect finished third among WHL skaters in scoring during the 2021-22 season with 104 points (45G-59A) from 59 games played. Stankoven recorded three or more points on 18 occasions during the Regular Season, including a pair of five-point games November 3, 2021 and January 29, 2022.

The 5-foot-8, 170-pound forward finished fourth among WHL goal-getters and his nine game-winning goals were good for a share of third place among WHL skaters.

Finalists
Central Division – Ben King (Vernon, B.C.) – Red Deer Rebels
East Division – Connor Bedard (North Vancouver, B.C.) – Regina Pats
U.S. Division – Olen Zellweger (Fort Saskatchewan, Alta.) – Everett Silvertips

Bill Hunter Memorial Trophy – WHL Defenceman of the Year presented by RE/MAX

WINNER: Olen Zellweger (Fort Saskatchewan, Alta.) – Everett Silvertips

Zellweger, a prospect of the Anaheim Ducks, led all WHL defencemen with 78 points (14G-64A), setting a Silvertips franchise single-season record in the process as Everett captured the 2021-22 U.S. Division title.

The product of Fort Saskatchewan, Alta. registered two or more assists on 19 occasions during the 2021-22 Regular Season, and the +7 rating he achieved December 3, 2021 versus Tri-City was the highest single-game rating in the WHL during the 2021-22 campaign.

Finalists
B.C. Division – Gannon Laroque (Edmonton, Alta.) – Victoria Royals
Central Division – Kaiden Guhle (Sherwood Park, Alta.) – Edmonton Oil Kings
East Division – Denton Mateychuk (Dominion City, Man.) – Moose Jaw Warriors
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Del Wilson Memorial Trophy – WHL Goaltender of the Year presented by Real Canadian Superstore

WINNER: Dylan Garand (Victoria, B.C.) – Kamloops Blazers

Garand, a prospect of the New York Rangers, helped the Blazers claim a third successive B.C. Division championship during the 2021-22 season.

The 19-year-old finished tied for the League lead with 34 wins, while placing second among WHL goaltenders in goals-against average (2.16) and save percentage (.925).

Finalists
Central Division – Sebastian Cossa (Fort McMurray, Alta.) – Edmonton Oil Kings
East Division – Daniel Hauser (Chestermere, Alta.) – Winnipeg ICE
U.S. Division – Taylor Gauthier (Calgary, Alta.) – Portland Winterhawks
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Jim Piggott Memorial Trophy – WHL Rookie of the Year presented by McSweeney’s

WINNER: Brayden Yager (Saskatoon, Sask.) – Moose Jaw Warriors

Yager set a Moose Jaw Warriors franchise record for a 16-year-old player with 34 goals, good for second among Warriors skaters during the 2021-22 Regular Season.

The 6-foot-0, 161-pound forward led all WHL 16-year-old players in goals (34), points (59) and game-winning goals (six) while finishing with a share of the lead among his age group in power-play markers (11).

Finalists
B.C. Division – Andrew Cristall (Burnaby, B.C.) – Kelowna Rockets
Central Division – Owen Pickering (St. Adolphe, Man.) – Swift Current Broncos
U.S. Division – Kevin Korchinski (Saskatoon, Sask.) – Seattle Thunderbirds
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Doug Wickenheiser Memorial Trophy – WHL Humanitarian of the Year presented by Westland Insurance

WINNER: Luke Prokop (Edmonton, Alta.) – Edmonton Oil Kings

The Doug Wickenheiser Memorial Trophy presented by Westland Insurance, is awarded annually to the WHL Humanitarian of the Year.

Prokop inspired the hockey community and the LGBTQ2S+ community in a ground-breaking way on July 19, 2021 when he came out as the first openly gay player signed to an NHL contract. Since then, the Edmonton-born Prokop has worked tirelessly to fight for inclusion in hockey and across sport.

A strong advocate for the Kids Help Phone, Prokop believes in this vital service as a support mechanism for youth in the LGBTQ2S+ community. In an effort to put his support behind the Kids Help Phone, Prokop established the Shots for Impact program, donating $10 for each of his shots on goal this season and securing matching donations from the Edmonton Oil Kings, Nashville Predators, and Edmonton Oilers Community Foundation.

Finalists
B.C. Division – Logan Stankoven (Kamloops, B.C.) – Kamloops Blazers
East Division – Conor Geekie (Strathclair, Man.) – Winnipeg ICE
U.S. Division – Graham Sward (Abbotsford, B.C.) – Spokane Chiefs
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Daryl K. (Doc) Seaman Memorial Trophy – WHL Scholastic Player of the Year presented by CIBC

WINNER: Connor Levis (Vancouver, B.C.) – Kamloops Blazers

Levis has taken six core courses and 12 total courses during his Grade 11 and 12 school year, registering an academic average of 95.6 per cent, including high averages in Electronics and Robotics, Math and Pre-Calculus, Science, Social Studies and English.

He has been required to complete this coursework independently due to COVID-19.

On the ice, the 6-foot-2, 193-pound forward finished second among Kamloops Blazers rookies with 42 points (16G-26A), appearing in all 68 games for Kamloops during the 2021-22 Regular Season.

Finalists
Central Division – Logan McCutcheon (Saskatoon, Sask.) – Lethbridge Hurricanes
East Division – Harrison Lodewyk (Red Deer, Alta.) – Prince Albert Raiders
U.S. Division – Gabe Klassen (Prince Albert, Sask.) – Portland Winterhawks
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Bobby Clarke Trophy – WHL Top Scorer

WINNER: Arshdeep Bains (Surrey, B.C.) – Red Deer Rebels

The Vancouver Canucks prospect led all WHL skaters with 69 assists and 112 points during the regular season, also finishing second in the League with 10 game-winning goals.

The product of Surrey, B.C. was held off the scoresheet only 13 times from his 68 games played in 2021-22 while recording three or more points 17 times during the regular season.

The 6-foot-1, 184-pound forward enjoyed five scoring streaks of six games or longer, accented by a 14-game scoring streak from March 5 to April 16, 2022 in which Bains tallied 32 points (20G-12A).

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Brad Hornung Memorial Trophy – WHL Most Sportsmanlike Player

WINNER: Logan Stankoven (Kamloops, B.C.) – Kamloops Blazers

The Dallas Stars prospect finished third in League scoring with 104 points (45G-59A) while accumulating only 16 minutes in penalties.
The 5-foot-8, 170-pound forward was one of four WHL players to finish in the top 50 in League scoring while registering 20 or fewer penalty minutes.

Finalists
Central Division – Dylan Guenther (Edmonton, Alta.) – Edmonton Oil Kings
East Division – Kyle Crnkovic (Chestermere, Alta.) – Saskatoon Blades
U.S. Division – Jackson Berezowski (Yorkton, Sask.) – Everett Silvertips
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Jim Donlevy Memorial Trophy – WHL Scholastic Team of the Year

WINNER: Brandon Wheat Kings

The Wheat Kings have proven to be leaders in the classroom among WHL member Clubs, guaranteeing that student athletes meet and exceed their academic potential consistent with the WHL Education Standards and Policies. They commit to ensuring that their policies and practices enhance educational opportunities for all players.

High school student athletes with the Wheat Kings attended Crocus Plains Regional Secondary School and maintained an overall average of 88 per cent during the first semester of the 2021-22 academic season. With COVID-19 remaining a challenge through the 2021-22 season, Wheat Kings players completed both semesters by studying at the rink. Daily supervision was provided by Wheat Kings staff, including from Education Advisor Glenda Zelmer.
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Dunc McCallum Memorial Trophy – WHL Coach of the Year

WINNER: James Patrick – Winnipeg ICE

In his fifth season behind the bench with the ICE, Patrick guided the Club to its best-ever regular season record, finishing the 2021-22 Regular Season with a 53-10-3-2 record, good for 111 points and the Scotty Munro Memorial Trophy as WHL Regular Season Champions.

Finalists
B.C. Division – Kris Mallette – Kelowna Rockets
Central Division – Steve Konowalchuk – Red Deer Rebels
U.S. Division – Dennis Williams – Everett Silvertips
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Lloyd Saunders Memorial Trophy – WHL Executive of the Year

WINNER: Matt Cockell – Winnipeg ICE

Under Cockell’s guidance, the ICE finished with its best regular-season performance in franchise history, posting a 53-10-3-2 record and 111 points, capturing the Scotty Munro Memorial Trophy as WHL Regular Season Champions in the process.

The ICE has boasted a first-round NHL Draft selection in both 2019 (Peyton Krebs – Vegas Golden Knights) and 2021 (Carson Lambos – Minnesota Wild), with forwards Matthew Savoie and Conor Geekie ranked #4 and #5, respectively, by NHL Central Scouting among North American Skaters for the upcoming 2022 NHL Draft.

Finalists
B.C. Division – Bruce Hamilton – Kelowna Rockets
Central Division – Brent Sutter – Red Deer Rebels
U.S. Division – Bil La Forge – Seattle Thunderbirds
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Allen Paradice Memorial Trophy – WHL Top Official

WINNER: Chris Crich (Airdrie, Alta.)

Crich, who hails from Airdrie, Alta. recently completed his 16th season as a WHL Official, beginning his tenure as a linesman in 2006-07 before refereeing his first WHL regular season game in 2007-08.

The 38-year-old has officiated in 674 WHL regular season games and more than 100 WHL playoff contests.

Crich has been an integral part of the officiating crew for the WHL Championship series for five consecutive seasons from 2015-2019. He also refereed at the 2019 Memorial Cup in Halifax, N.S.

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WHL Business Award

WINNER: Everett Silvertips

This marks the third time in franchise history the Everett Silvertips have been recognized with the WHL Business Award.

The Everett Silvertips enjoyed a season ticket renewal rate of 90 per cent from 2019-20, with a focus on building and expanding the ticket holder base coming out of COVID-19. Relaxed exchange policies, holds through mandates, and adjusted payment plans, the Silvertips were able to success provide a better customer service and fan experience on the ticketing front through challenging times.

With an average attendance of 5,341 fans per game at Angel of the Winds Arena in Everett, the Silvertips boast the highest average attendance in the Western Hockey League this season.

Finalists
B.C. Division – Kamloops Blazers
Central Division – Lethbridge Hurricanes
East Division – Prince Albert Raiders
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