Wednesday, April 30, 2014

WHL Award Winners

Photo by Brad Watson
Today, the WHL announced the winners of the annual trophies handed out at the end of the season and will be holding the Bantam Draft tomorrow.  Saturday will be game one of the WHL finals between familiar foes in the Portland Winterhawks and the Edmonton Oil Kings.

The award winners, and the runner-up:

Four Broncos Memorial Trophy (WHL Player of the Year): Sam Reinhart, Kootenay Ice

Mitch Holmberg was an important part of the Spokane Chiefs' push for the playoffs, leading the league in scoring and breaking the team record in goals.  However, Reinhart was equally important in the Ice's push for a playoff spot, and never more was that evident than when he helped rally the Ice together when teammate Tim Bozon was sidelined due to meningitis.

Jim Piggott Memorial Trophy (Rookie of the Year): Nick Merkley, Kelowna Rockets

One of the reasons the Kelowna Rockets were at the top of the regular season standings was because of the contributions of Merkley.  The Rockets had many contributors, and Merkley did his part.  He figures to be a bigger part of the team next season when the likes of Jordon Cooke and Damon Severson move on.  The Saskatoon Blades had a rough season, but Nikita Scherbak was a revelation, as he provided the team hope for next season with his offensive prowess.

Del Wilson Trophy (Goaltender of the Year): Jordon Cooke, Kelowna Rockets

Cooke had his best season with the Rockets, and not coincidentally, so did the Rockets as a team.  His efforts were enough to edge out Tristan Jarry of the Edmonton Oil Kings.  Jarry offered the Oil Kings similar results from what his predecessor Laurent Brossoit did, and he will be competing for the Ed Chynoweth Trophy starting this weekend along with the rest of the Oil Kings.

Bill Hunter Memorial Trophy (Defenseman of the Year): Derrick Pouliot, Portland Winterhawks

The Winterhawks' blue line may have taken a hit prior to this season with the losses of Troy Rutkowski, Tyler Wotherspoon, and Seth Jones, but Derrick Pouliot remained.  He missed a few games due to being up with Pittsburgh at the start of the season and the WJC, but when he was in a Winterhawks' uniform, no one was more important to the team's success this season than Pouliot.  Josh Morrissey of the Prince Albert Raiders was equally important to his team, but overall, the team didn't have nearly the same amount of success that was expected of them.

Brad Hornung Trophy (Most Sportsmanlike): Sam Reinhart, Kootenay Ice

Unsurprisingly, the two finalists for the Four Broncos Memorial Trophy were also the best at keeping out of the penalty box.  Reinhart only amassed 11 PIM en route to posting 105 points and leading the Ice to the Conference semi-finals.  Holmberg's record breaking season was made possible in part by him avoiding the penalty box for much of the season.

Daryl K. (Doc) Seaman Memorial Trophy (Scholastic): Nelson Nogier, Saskatoon Blades

In his senior year, Nogier averaged 96% in his classes and is expected to graduate with Great Distinction in his class.  His season may have been cut short due to injury, but it did not keep him from succeeding in the classroom.  Dominic Turgeon also excelled in the classroom while playing a pivotal third line role for the Winterhawks.

Doug Wickenheiser Memorial Trophy (Humanitarian): Sam Fioretti, Moose Jaw Warriors

Mitch Topping of the Tri-City Americans made an impact off the ice, but it was Fioretti that came away with this trophy.  Fioretti was one of the main players that reached out to the community of Moose Jaw in many ways, including education and anti-bullying.

Dunc McCallum Trophy (Coach): Dave Lowry, Victoria Royals

Lowry led the Royals to their best season as he oversaw the goaltending tandem of Patrik Polivka and Coleman Vollrath post stellar numbers.  Shaun Clouston helped keep the Medicine Hat Tigers afloat and guided them to the Conference Finals.

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