51 WHL Graduates to Compete in 2017 Canada West Final

March 3, 2017 - Western Hockey League (WHL) News Release

Media Release -- 51 WHL Graduates to Compete in 2017 Canada West Final
()

The University of Alberta Golden Bears and University of Saskatchewan Huskies are set to challenge in a best-of-three series for the Canada West Universities Athletic Association men's hockey conference championship before then travelling to Fredericton, NB, for the U Sports University Cup, hosted by the University of New Brunswick from March 16 to 19.

Among the 51 WHL graduates dotting the two rosters are three major Canada West award winners, including former Kelowna Rockets goaltender Jordon Cooke of the Saskatchewan Huskies (Goaltender of the Year), former Moose Jaw Warriors defenceman Jesse Forsberg of the Saskatchewan Huskies (Top Defenceman) and former Kelowna Rockets forward Tyson Baillie of the Alberta Golden Bears (Rookie of the Year).

Ranked second coming out of the Canada West regular season, the Alberta Golden Bears boast 28 WHL graduate players, while the top-ranked Saskatchewan Huskies are paced by 23 WHL graduate players.

The entire Canada West Final can be streamed online at CanadaWest.tv. Game 1 is scheduled for Friday, March 3 and Game 2 is scheduled for Saturday, March 4. If necessary, Game 3 will be played Sunday, March 5. Puck drop for each contest is scheduled for 7 p.m. CT/6 p.m. MT.

The 51 WHL graduates competing in the 2017 Canada West Final are representative of over 365 WHL Scholarship recipients furthering their education.

Administered by the WHL Office, the WHL Scholarships are solely funded by the member Clubs of the WHL. This season, WHL Clubs will contribute in excess of $2 million to graduates utilizing the WHL Scholarship.

"The WHL and our member Clubs are very proud to continue offering our players the most comprehensive hockey scholarship program of its kind in North America today," stated WHL Commissioner Ron Robison. "WHL Clubs are fully committed to providing a world class experience for our players which includes the opportunity to pursue both their academic and hockey goals while playing at the top level of the Canadian amateur hockey system."

Every player who plays in the WHL is eligible to receive the WHL Scholarship. For every season a player plays in the WHL, they receive a guaranteed, full-year WHL Scholarship including tuition, textbooks and compulsory fees to a post-secondary institution of their choice. The WHL Scholarship is a fully-guaranteed academic scholarship with no requirement to play university hockey to qualify, and the student-athlete can apply the funding to any post-secondary or career-enhancing program of his choice, including trade schools and professional career training programs.

In addition, current WHL players also receive financial assistance for enrolling in post-secondary classes while playing in the WHL, many of whom are taking online courses through Athabasca University. The WHL and Athabasca University have partnered to offer, through online and other distance education platforms, fully-accredited university courses to any WHL player interested in further pursuing post-secondary studies while playing in the WHL.

Fully funded by WHL member Clubs, all players currently playing in the WHL are encouraged to enroll in post-secondary courses. The financial assistance received for post-secondary studies while playing does not impact on the WHL Scholarship benefits a WHL player is entitled to upon graduating from the League.

About Canada West:

Canada West is the premier athletic conference in the country and is home to champion student-athletes that excel on the field, in the classroom and in their communities. Canada West and its 17 member institutions commit to a student-athlete experience where competitive excellence, scholarship and sportsmanship contribute equally towards moulding outstanding graduates and community leaders.

Canada West - Training leaders, building champions.

WHL Graduates - Canada West Final

University of Saskatchewan Huskies (23)

Name - Hometown - 2016-17 WHL Scholarship Responsibility

Kohl Bauml - Saskatoon, SK - Everett Silvertips

Tyler Borstmayer - St. Brieux, SK - Regina Pats

Levi Cable - Hudson Bay, SK - Kootenay ICE

Jordon Cooke - Leduc, AB - Kelowna Rockets

Connor Cox - Lethbridge, AB - Saskatoon Blades

Alex Forsberg - Waldheim, SK - Prince George Cougars

Jesse Forsberg - Waldheim, SK - Prince George Cougars

Jordan Fransoo - North Battleford, SK - Brandon Wheat Kings

Connor Gay - Saskatoon, SK - Regina Pats

Colby Harmsworth - Saskatoon, SK - Calgary Hitmen

Andrew Johnson - Saskatoon, SK - Moose Jaw Warriors

Wyatt Johnson - Saskatoon, SK - Red Deer Rebels

MacKenzie Johnston* - Swift Current, SK - Kelowna Rockets

Taran Kozun* - Nipawin, SK - Kamloops Blazers

Tanner Lishchynsky - Saskatoon, SK - Prince George Cougars

Kendall McFaull - Rosetown, SK - Moose Jaw Warriors

Logan McVeigh - Kenaston, SK - Kamloops Blazers

Michael Sofillas - Morden, MB - Lethbridge Hurricanes

Carson Stadnyk - Saskatoon, SK - Everett Silvertips

Lukas Sutter - Lethbridge, AB - Saskatoon Blades

Jordan Tkatch - Prudhomme, SK - Prince George Cougars

Daniel Wapple - Saskatoon, SK - Moose Jaw Warriors

Jaimen Yakubowski - Dalmeny, SK - Lethbridge Hurricanes

University of Alberta Golden Bears (28)

Name - Hometown - WHL Team(s)

Tyson Baillie - Edmonton, AB - Kelowna Rockets

Dylan Bredo - Edmonton, AB - Medicine Hat Tigers

Brendan Burke - Scottsdale, AZ - Portland Winterhawks

Ben Carroll - Sherwood Park, AB - Edmonton Oil Kings

Nick Charif - Edmonton, AB - Red Deer Rebels

Taylor Cooper - Sherwood Park, AB - Brandon Wheat Kings

Trevor Cox - Surrey, BC - Medicine Hat Tigers

Graeme Craig - Red Deer, AB - Swift Current Broncos

Jamie Crooks - Vermillion, AB - Victoria Royals

Josh Derko - Sherwood Park, AB - Swift Current Broncos

Jason Fram - Delta, BC - Spokane Chiefs

Todd Fiddler - Meadow Lake, SK - Prince Albert Raiders

Jayden Hart - Spruce Grove, AB - Medicine Hat Tigers

Riley Kieser - Sherwood Park, AB - Edmonton Oil Kings

Sawyer Lange - Prince Albert, SK - Prince Albert Raiders

Stephane Legault - Edmonton, AB - Edmonton Oil Kings

Cole Linaker - Edmonton, AB - Kelowna Rockets

Brandon Magee* - Edmonton, AB - Victoria Royals

Lucas Nickles - Salmon Arm, BC - Tri-City Americans

Luke Philp - Canmore, AB - Kootenay ICE

Rhett Rachinski - Edmonton, AB - Edmonton Oil Kings

Ryan Rehill - Edmonton, AB - Kamloops Blazers

Cole Sanford - Coldstream, BC - Medicine Hat Tigers

Luke Siemens - Delta, BC - Moose Jaw Warriors

Wil Tomchuk - Fort McMurray, AB - Prince George Cougars

Joel Topping - Red Deer, AB - Lethbridge Hurricanes

Mitch Topping - Red Deer, AB - Victoria Royals

Brennan Yadlowski - Edmonton, AB - Everett Silvertips

*red-shirt season

Media Release -- 51 WHL Graduates to Compete in 2017 Canada West Final

Western Hockey League Stories from March 3, 2017

• Raiders Downed by Hurricanes - Prince Albert Raiders
• Wheat Kings 6 Hitmen 1 - Calgary Hitmen
• Regina Pats 4 - Medicine Hat Tigers 6 - Regina Pats
• Barfoot Signs with Giants - Vancouver Giants
• Rockets Prospect Korczak Helps Maulers Advance in SMAAAHL Playoffs - Kelowna Rockets
• Four Former Rockets to Compete in 2017 Canada West Final - Kelowna Rockets
• 51 WHL Graduates to Compete in 2017 Canada West Final - WHL

The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.