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Hitmen's Connor Rankin Named Denny's WHL Player of the Week

December 8, 2014 - Western Hockey League (WHL) News Release


CALGARY, AB - The Western Hockey League announced today that Calgary Hitmen forward Connor Rankin is the Denny's WHL Player of the Week for the week ending December 7th, 2014.

Rankin tallied nine points (6g-3a), while posting a plus-six rating in three games over the past week, leading the Hitmen to three straight victories in that span.

On Tuesday, December 2nd, Rankin notched three goals and six points while claiming second star honours in a 9-5 triumph over the Rebels in Red Deer. On Friday, December 5th, Rankin netted a hat trick for the second consecutive game and was selected as the game's first star in a 6-2 victory over the visiting Edmonton Oil Kings. In both of these games, Rankin potted the game-winning goal.

Rankin, a 20-year-old from North Vancouver, BC, has notched 31 points (14g-17a) along with a plus-13 rating in 31 games so far this season. The 6'0", 202 lb forward is in his fifth WHL campaign and second as a member of the Calgary Hitmen. Originally a first round pick, 7th overall, of the Tri-City Americans in the 2009 WHL Bantam Draft, Rankin has amassed 220 points (103g-117a) in 298 career regular season contests.

The WHL has also nominated Taran Kozun of the Seattle Thunderbirds for the Vaughn CHL Goaltender of the Week award. Kozun, a 20-year-old Nipawin, SK product, registered a goals against average of 1.00 and a .953 save percentage in two starts this past week. On Friday, December 5th, Kozun turned aside 17 of 18 shots while also being named the game's third star as the Thunderbirds prevailed 3-1 over the visiting Tri-City Americans. On Sunday, December 7th, Kozun made 24 saves while earning first star honours in a 4-1 win over the Chiefs in Spokane. Kozun leads all goalies this year with a 2.14 goals against average and is tied for first place with .921 save percentage. Now in his fourth season in the WHL and second with the Seattle Thunderbirds, Kozun has posted a 43-41-5-6 record with six shutouts in 99 career regular season appearances.

Denny's WHL Player of the Week

Dec. 1 - Dec. 7: Connor Rankin, Calgary Hitmen

Nov. 24 - Nov. 30: Oliver Bjorkstrand, Portland Winterhawks

Nov. 17 - Nov. 23: Lane Bauer, Edmonton Oil Kings

Nov. 10 - Nov. 16: Sam Reinhart, Kootenay Ice

Nov. 3 - Nov. 9: Rourke Chartier, Kelowna Rockets

Oct. 27 - Nov. 2: Josh Morrissey, Prince Albert Raiders

Oct. 20 - Oct. 26: Conner Bleackley, Red Deer Rebels

Oct. 13 - Oct. 19: Joe Hicketts, Victoria Royals

Oct. 6 - Oct. 12: Ivan Nikolishin, Everett Silvertips

Sept. 29 - Oct. 5: Madison Bowey, Kelowna Rockets

Sept. 22 - Sept. 28: Carson Stadnyk, Everett Silvertips

Sept. 19 - Sept. 21: Jay Merkley, Swift Current Broncos


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