Edmonton Oil Kings' Mark Pysyk Named WHL Player of the Week
Published on May 14, 2012 under Western Hockey League (WHL) News Release
CALGARY, AB. - The Western Hockey League announced today that Edmonton Oil Kings defenceman Mark Pysyk is the WHL Player of the Week.
Pysyk picked up three points, scoring one goal and two assists in four games over the last week helping the Oil Kings capture their first WHL Championship title in modern franchise history over the Portland Winterhawks.
On Tuesday, May 8, with the Winterhawks leading the Championship Series 2-1, game four went in Portland at the Rose Garden. Pysyk collected one assist in the Oil Kings 4-3 over-time win, evening the series at 2-2. A pivotal game five was back at Rexall Place in Edmonton on Thursday, May 10. Pysyk scored the game-winning-goal with just under a minute remaining to give the Oil Kings a 4-3 victory and 3-2 series lead. He also gathered one assist in the contest and was named the games 1st Star. The Winterhawks took game six 3-2 back in Portland on Saturday, May 12 with the Oil Kings claiming the title in game seven in front of 12,514 fans 4-1 on Saturday, May 13. As team Captain Pysyk's leadership was instrumental on and off the ice throughout the playoffs, especially late in the WHL Championship Series.
A 20-year-old (born 1992) from Sherwood Park, Alberta, Pysyk has been the face of the Oil Kings franchise since the team joined the WHL as an expansion Club in 2007. He was the team's first ever WHL Bantam draft pick in 2007, the first ever NHL first round draft pick in 2010 (23rd overall - BUF) and the first to represent Team Canada at the World Junior Hockey Championship in 2012. Pysyk has appeared in 243 WHL games over his career, collecting 25 goals and 100 assists for 125 points.
By virtue of their victory in the 2012 WHL Championship the Edmonton Oil Kings will now represent the WHL in the 2012 MasterCard Memorial Cup. The MasterCard Memorial Cup Tournament will run from May 18th to 27th and will also include the OHL Champion London Knights, the QMJHL Champion Saint John Sea Dogs and the host Shawinigan Cataractes. The Sea Dogs are the defending MasterCard Memorial Cup Champions.
The WHL has also nominated Laurent Brossoit of the Edmonton Oil Kings for the CHL Goaltender of the Week Award. Brossoit posted a 3-1-0-0 record this past week, stopping 128 of 138 shots faced for a 2.42 goals-against average and 0.928 save percentage. Brossoit, a native of Surrey, BC, helped the Oil Kings capture their first WHL Championship title in modern franchise history over the Portland Winterhawks.
WHL Player of the Week - 2012 WHL Playoffs
May 7 - May 13: Mark Pysyk, Edmonton Oil Kings
Apr. 30 - May 6: Sven Bartschi, Portland Winterhawks
Apr. 23 - Apr. 29: Brad Ross, Portland Winterhawks
Apr. 16 - Apr. 22: Klarc Wilson, Edmonton Oil Kings
Apr. 9 - Apr. 15: Brendan Ranford, Kamloops Blazers
Apr. 2 - Apr. 8: Sven Bartschi, Portland Winterhawks
Mar. 26 - Apr. 1: Ty Rattie, Portland Winterhawks
Mar. 19 - Mar. 25: Jordan Martinook, Vancouver Giants
WHL Player of the Week
Mar. 12 - Mar. 18: Matej Stransky, Saskatoon Blades
Mar. 5 - Mar. 11: Emerson Etem, Medicine Hat Tigers
Feb. 27 - Mar. 4: Sven Bartschi, Portland Winterhawks
Feb. 20 - Feb. 26: Brendan Shinnimin, Tri-City Americans
Feb. 13 - Feb. 19: Michael Ferland, Brandon Wheat Kings
Feb. 6 - Feb. 12: Brendan Ranford, Kamloops Blazers
Jan. 30 - Feb. 5: Dominik Uher, Spokane Chiefs
Jan. 23 - Jan. 29: Mark McNeill, Prince Albert Raiders
Jan. 16 - Jan. 22: Michael St. Croix, Edmonton Oil Kings
Jan. 9 - Jan. 15: Colin Smith, Kamloops Blazers
Jan. 2 - Jan. 8: Brendan Gallagher, Vancouver Giants
Dec. 27 - Jan. 1: Dalton Thrower, Saskatoon Blades
Dec. 2 - Dec. 18: Patrick Holland, Tri-City Americans
Dec. 5 - Dec. 11: Mike Winther, Prince Albert Raiders
Nov. 28 - Dec. 4: Michael St. Croix, Edmonton Oil Kings
Nov. 21 - Nov. 27: Ty Rattie, Portland Winterhawks
Nov. 14 - Nov. 20: Mark Stone, Brandon Wheat Kings
Nov. 7 - Nov. 13: Alex Petrovic, Red Deer Rebels
Oct. 31 - Nov. 6: Hunter Shinkaruk, Medicine Hat Tigers
Oct. 24 - Oct. 30: Cody Beach, Moose Jaw Warriors
Oct. 17 - Oct. 23: Brendan Gallagher, Vancouver Giants
Oct. 10 - Oct. 16: Sven Bartschi, Portland Winterhawks
Oct. 3 - Oct. 9: Emerson Etem, Medicine Hat Tigers
Sept. 26 - Oct. 2: Mark Stone, Brandon Wheat Kings
Sept. 22 - Sept. 25: Adam Hughesman, Tri-City Americans
Western Hockey League Stories from May 14, 2012
- Edmonton Oil Kings' Mark Pysyk Named WHL Player of the Week - WHL
- Americans Sign Prospect Wil Tomchuk - Tri-City Americans
- Saskatoon Blades Online Store Offering 25% off on Select Items - Saskatoon Blades
- Oil Kings Capture First WHL Championship in Modern Franchise History - Edmonton Oil Kings
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