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WHL Announces Weekly Award Winners

February 20, 2017 - Western Hockey League (WHL) News Release


THUNDERBIRDS' BEAR NAMED WHL PLAYER OF THE WEEK

Calgary, AB - The Western Hockey League announced today that Seattle Thunderbirds defenceman Ethan Bear has been named the WHL Player of the Week for the week ending February 19, 2017.

Bear registered 10 points (4G-6A) in five games to help the Thunderbirds go 3-2-0-0 this past week.

On Monday, February 13, Bear collected a goal and two primary assists in a 6-3 loss at Kelowna and was named third star. On Tuesday, February 14, Bear notched one assist in a 4-1 win versus Red Deer and followed up on Friday, February 17, with a power-play goal in a 4-2 loss at Tri-City. Saturday, February 18, Bear exploded with a four-point performance (2G-2A) in a 5-3 win versus Portland and was named first star for his efforts. He then wrapped up his weekend with one assist on Sunday, February 19, in a 5-4 shootout win at Portland.

A 19-year-old product of Ochapowace, SK, Bear sits second among all WHL defencemen and third among all Thunderbirds with 62 points (25G-37A) in 58 games.

The 5-foot-11, 205-pound defenceman was selected by the Edmonton Oilers in the fifth round (124th) of the 2015 NHL Draft. In July 2016, Bear signed a three-year entry-level contract with the Oilers.

Originally taken by the Seattle Thunderbirds in the second round (25th) of the 2012 WHL Bantam Draft, Bear has amassed 184 points (63G-121A) in 255 career WHL regular season games.

This is the second consecutive week a Thunderbird has earned WHL Player of the Week honours. Mathew Barzal was previously named WHL Player of the Week for the week ending February 12, 2017.

WARRIORS' SAWCHENKO NAMED WHL GOALTENDER OF THE WEEK

Calgary, AB - The Western Hockey League announced today that Moose Jaw Warriors goaltender Zach Sawchenko has been named the WHL Goaltender of the Week and the league nominee for Vaughn CHL Goaltender of the Week for the week ending February 19, 2017.

A 19-year-old product of Calgary, AB, Sawchenko went 2-0-0-0 this past week with a 0.50 goals-against average, .981 save percentage and one shutout.

On Tuesday, February 14, Sawchenko stopped 15 shots in a 3-1 win versus Brandon. Capping his stellar week, he then put forth a perfect performance on Saturday, February 18, turning aside all 37 pucks sent his way in a 4-0 win versus Regina, earning first star honours.

Through 40 appearances in his fourth WHL season, Sawchenko is 23-11-5-1 with a 2.78 GAA, .919 SV% and two shutouts. His .919 SV% ranks fifth among all WHL goaltenders.

This is the second time this season Sawchenko has been recognized as WHL Goaltender of the Week. He was also honoured for the week ending November 6, 2016. That same week, he was tabbed Vaughn CHL Goaltender of the Week for his outstanding performance.

The 6-foot-1, 175-pound netminder is eligible for the 2017 NHL Draft.

Originally selected by the Moose Jaw Warriors in the second round (33rd) of the 2012 WHL Bantam Draft, Sawchenko has amassed a career record of 81-62-11-4 with a 3.13 GAA, .908 SV% and four shutouts in 166 career WHL regular season appearances.

WHL Player of the Week

Sept. 23 - Sept. 25: Chad Butcher, Medicine Hat Tigers

Sept. 26 - Oct. 2: Sam Steel, Regina Pats

Oct. 3 - Oct. 9: Cody Glass, Portland Winterhawks

Oct. 10 - Oct. 16: Tyler Benson, Vancouver Giants

Oct. 17 - Oct. 23: Kale Clague, Brandon Wheat Kings

Oct. 24 - Oct. 30: Kailer Yamamoto, Spokane Chiefs

Oct. 31 - Nov. 6: Connor Hobbs, Regina Pats

Nov. 7 - Nov. 13: Adam Brooks, Regina Pats

Nov. 14 - Nov. 20: Alexander True, Seattle Thunderbirds

Nov. 21 - Nov. 27: Jayden Halbgewachs, Moose Jaw Warriors

Nov. 28 - Dec. 4: Sergey Zborovskiy, Regina Pats

Dec. 5 - Dec. 11: Calvin Thurkauf, Kelowna Rockets

Dec. 12 - Dec. 18: Deven Sideroff, Kamloops Blazers

Dec. 26 - Jan. 1: Adam Brooks, Regina Pats

Jan. 2 - Jan. 8: Brayden Burke, Moose Jaw Warriors

Jan. 9 - Jan. 15: Tyler Wong, Lethbridge Hurricanes

Jan. 16 - Jan. 22: Tyler Soy, Victoria Royals

Jan. 23 - Jan. 29: Jake Bean, Calgary Hitmen

Jan. 30 - Feb. 5: Kole Lind, Kelowna Rockets

Feb. 6 - Feb. 12: Mathew Barzal, Seattle Thunderbirds

Feb. 13 - Feb. 19: Ethan Bear, Seattle Thunderbirds

WHL Goaltender of the Week/Vaughn CHL Goaltender of the Week nominee

Sept. 23 - Sept. 25: Travis Child, Swift Current Broncos

Sept. 26 - Oct. 2: Nick Schneider, Medicine Hat Tigers

Oct. 3 - Oct. 9: Logan Flodell, Saskatoon Blades

Oct. 10 - Oct. 16: Ryan Kubic, Vancouver Giants

Oct. 17 - Oct. 23: Michael Herringer, Kelowna Rockets

Oct. 24 - Oct. 30: Payton Lee, Kootenay ICE

Oct. 31 - Nov. 6: Zach Sawchenko, Moose Jaw Warriors

Nov. 7 - Nov. 13: Patrick Dea, Edmonton Oil Kings

Nov. 14 - Nov. 20: Carter Hart, Everett Silvertips

Nov. 21 - Nov. 27: Carter Hart, Everett Silvertips

Nov. 28 - Dec. 4: Connor Ingram, Kamloops Blazers

Dec. 5 - Dec. 11: Dylan Ferguson, Kamloops Blazers

Dec. 12 - Dec. 18: Ty Edmonds, Prince George Cougars

Dec. 26 - Jan. 1: Griffen Outhouse, Victoria Royals

Jan. 1 - Jan. 8: Rylan Parenteau, Tri-City Americans

Jan. 9 - Jan. 15: Carter Hart, Everett Silvertips

Jan. 16 - Jan. 22: Rylan Toth, Seattle Thunderbirds

Jan. 23 - Jan. 29: Cole Kehler, Portland Winterhawks

Jan. 30 - Feb. 5: Stuart Skinner, Lethbridge Hurricanes

Feb. 6 - Feb. 12: Brodan Salmond, Kelowna Rockets

Feb. 13 - Feb. 19: Zach Sawchenko, Moose Jaw Warriors

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