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WHL Brandon Wheat Kings

A Look at 2016 WHL Award Nominees

May 4, 2016 - Western Hockey League (WHL)
Brandon Wheat Kings News Release


The Western Hockey League will hand out the hardware to honour the most outstanding performances from the WHL's 50th Season at the annual WHL Awards on Wednesday, May 4th, in Calgary, AB.

Conference finalists were previously announced for the following categories: Rookie of the Year, Goaltender of the Year, Defenceman of the Year, Most Sportsmanlike Player of the Year, Scholastic Player of the Year, Coach of the Year, Executive of the Year, Humanitarian of the Year, and Player of the Year.

Here's a look at the Eastern and Western Conference finalists for the 2016 WHL Awards:

WHL Rookie of the Year - Jim Piggott Memorial Trophy

Eastern Conference: Noah Gregor - Moose Jaw Warriors

Gregor enjoyed a successful rookie season for the Moose Jaw Warriors in 2015-16. The 17-year-old from Beaumont, AB was third in team scoring and finished second amongst all WHL rookies with 73 points (28g-45a) while playing in all 72 games. Gregor's 28 goals were fourth amongst first-year players. Originally drafted in the third round, 55th overall, of the 2013 WHL Bantam Draft by the Victoria Royals, Gregor had an immediate impact on the Warriors' offence, recording multiple point outings in 20 games this season. Gregor is eligible for the 2016 NHL Draft.

Western Conference: Matthew Phillips - Victoria Royals

A product of Calgary, AB, Phillips made a significant impact in his first full season with the Royals. The 1998-born centre scored 37 goals and 39 assists for 76 points in 72 games, which was fourth in team scoring and first amongst all WHL rookies. His 16 power play markers also led all rookie skaters. Selected by the Royals in the second round, 33rd overall, of the 2013 WHL Bantam Draft, Phillips also notched 10 game-winning goals during the 2015-16 season. Phillips is eligible for the 2016 NHL Draft.

WHL Goaltender of the Year - Del Wilson Trophy

Eastern Conference: Zachary Sawchenko - Moose Jaw Warriors

A Calgary, AB product, Sawchenko enjoyed another solid campaign in his third season with the Warriors. The 18-year-old appeared in 51 games while posting a 28-16-4-2 record, two shutouts, a 3.04 goals against average (GAA) and a .916 save percentage to lead the Warriors back into the WHL Playoffs. Sawchenko was tied for eighth amongst WHL netminders in save percentage. The Warriors' second-round pick, 33rd overall, in the 2012 Bantam Draft, Sawchenko was twice named Vaughn CHL Goaltender of the Week during the 2015-16 season. Sawchenko is eligible for the 2016 NHL Draft.

Western Conference: Carter Hart - Everett Silvertips

Hart enjoyed a terrific season to help lead the WHL's second-best defensive club this season, posting a 35-23-1-3 record with six shutouts in 63 appearances. The 17-year-old from Sherwood Park, AB finished second amongst WHL netminders with a 2.14 goals against average, finished with the sixth-best save percentage at .918 and placed first overall with 35 victories as the Silvertips finished second in the WHL's U.S. Division. Hart's consistent season saw him put together a string of five straight wins and back-to-back shutouts on two occasions while he was also named the Vaughn CHL Goaltender of the Week in late November. Heading into the 2016 NHL Draft, Hart is ranked second amongst North American goaltenders by NHL Central Scouting.

WHL Defenceman of the Year - Bill Hunter Memorial Trophy

Eastern Conference: Ivan Provorov - Brandon Wheat Kings

In his second season in the WHL, Wheat Kings' defenceman Ivan Provorov played a major role for Brandon at both ends of the ice. The 19-year-old from Yaroslavl, Russia finished first in scoring amongst WHL defencemen with 73 points, which included 21 goals, in 62 games while also leading the League with a plus-64 rating. A member of Russia's National Junior Team that won silver at the 2016 IIHF World Junior Hockey Championship, Provorov was the Wheat Kings' first round pick, 30th overall, in the 2014 CHL Import Draft. Provorov was selected seventh overall by the Philadelphia Flyers in the 2015 NHL Draft.

Western Conference: Joe Hicketts - Victoria Royals

Kamloops, BC native Joe Hicketts enjoyed another excellent season for the Royals, helping the Club claim the Scotty Munro Memorial Trophy as the League's top regular season team. The 19-year-old scored eight goals and added 53 assists for 61 points in 59 games, placing him sixth overall in Royals scoring and seventh amongst WHL defencemen. A member of Canada's National Junior Team, Hicketts was the Royals' first round pick, 12th overall, in the 2011 WHL Bantam Draft and also earned a spot on the WHL's Western Conference First All-Star Team this season. Hicketts was signed as a free agent in 2014 by the Detroit Red Wings.

WHL Most Sportsmanlike Player of the Year - Brad Hornung Trophy

Eastern Conference: Jake Bean - Calgary Hitmen

A product of Calgary, AB, Bean was a star on the ice for the Calgary Hitmen this season, finishing third in team scoring with 64 points (24g-40a) in 68 games while helping the team to a berth in the WHL Playoffs. As a key contributor in all situations, Bean logged big minutes for the Hitmen while the 17-year-old drew just 28 minutes in penalties on 14 minor infractions. Undrafted in the WHL Bantam Draft, Bean is eligible for the 2016 NHL Draft and was recognized as the top-ranked WHL skater by NHL Central Scouting.

Western Conference: Tyler Soy - Victoria Royals

In his third WHL campaign, Tyler Soy had a breakthrough season for the Victoria Royals, netting 85 points (46g-39a) to finish 13th in WHL scoring. The 1997-born veteran from Cloverdale, BC made significant contributions in helping the Royals secure the Scotty Munro Memorial Trophy as the WHL's top regular season team. Playing key minutes, Soy drew just 27 minutes in penalties and finished the regular season with a stellar plus-34 rating. So far in his three-year WHL career, Soy has attracted 71 penalty minutes in 213 career regular season games with the Royals. Soy was the Royals' first round pick, eighth overall, in the 2012 WHL Bantam Draft and is eligible for the 2016 NHL Draft.

WHL Scholastic Player of the Year - Daryl K. (Doc) Seaman Memorial Trophy

Eastern Conference: Tanner Kaspick - Brandon Wheat Kings

Kaspick had a productive season on a powerful Brandon team in 2015-16, notching 31 points (13g-18a) in just 53 games. The Brandonite completed his first semester of Grade 12 this year with a remarkable 96% average, and has since upped his average to 98% in the second semester. Kaspick currently holds a 100% grade in Chemistry 12. Ranked 76th amongst North American skaters by Central Scouting for the upcoming 2016 NHL Draft, Kaspick has completed three advanced placement courses and is described by his teachers as focused. The Wheat Kings selected Kaspick 25th overall in the 2013 WHL Bantam Draft.

Western Conference: Tristen Pfeifer - Everett Silvertips

A product of Phoenix, Arizona, Pfeifer recently completed his second WHL season patrolling the blue line for the Silvertips. In 60 games this season, Pfeifer picked up 13 points (2g-11a) to go along with a plus-13 rating and 37 penalty minutes. The 19-year-old has already nearly completed two years of post-secondary education through Grand Canyon University and has maintained a 4.0 GPA in the process, among the top 20 percent of all GCU students. Pfeifer hopes to have a post-secondary degree under his belt as early as next year.

WHL Coach of the Year - Dunc McCallum Memorial Trophy

Eastern Conference: Brent Kisio - Lethbridge Hurricanes

In his first year as head coach of the Lethbridge Hurricanes, Brent Kisio guided the Club to a 46-24-1-1 record for 94 points and a first place finish in the WHL's Central Division. The 94-point campaign under Kisio marked a 46-point improvement from the previous season. Under Kisio's watch, the Hurricanes scored the second-most goals in the WHL this season and had the second-best record on home ice. Kisio's Hurricanes boasted one of the most balanced attacks across the League as eight players reached the 50-point plateau.

Western Conference: Dave Lowry - Victoria Royals

As head coach of the Victoria Royals, Dave Lowry helped lead the Club to the Scotty Munro Memorial Trophy as the League's top Club in the 2015-16 regular season, posting an impressive 50-16-3-3 record for 106 points along the way. Lowry's Royals wrapped up the regular season on a 14-game point streak and finished six points higher than any other team in the Western Conference. Under Lowry's leadership, the Royals led the WHL in road victories with 24 and scored the third-most goals while allowing the fewest. Lowry claimed the Dunc McCallum Memorial Trophy following the 2013-14 season.

WHL Executive of the Year - Lloyd Saunders Memorial Trophy

Eastern Conference: Peter Anholt - Lethbridge Hurricanes

Peter Anholt spearheaded a turnaround season as general manager of the Lethbridge Hurricanes in 2015-16. Anholt's Hurricanes posted a 46-24-1-1 record for 94 points to finish first overall in the Central Division and qualify for the 2016 WHL Playoffs, ending a six-year absence. Under Anholt's guidance, the Hurricanes improved their win total by 26 and their point total by 46 from the 2014-15 season while also reducing their goals against by 86. Anholt engineered several moves that aided the team's success this season, including adding impact players such as Egor Babenko and Cory Millette to support a newly-defined core group.

Western Conference: Cameron Hope - Victoria Royals

Cameron Hope's Victoria Royals had a record-setting season as the Club posted a record of 50-16-3-3 to claim the Scotty Munro Memorial Trophy. Under Hope's management, the Royals allowed the fewest goals against in the WHL this season with a solid group of veterans including Joe Hicketts and Ryan Gagnon. Additions such as Vladimir Bobylev and Alex Forsberg prior to this season complemented the emergence of players such as Matthew Phillips and Tyler Soy as the Royals skated to the best season in franchise history. Hope previously received the Lloyd Saunders Memorial Trophy following the 2013-14 season.

WHL Humanitarian of the Year - Doug Wickenheiser Memorial Trophy

Eastern Conference: Tyler Wong - Lethbridge Hurricanes

Wong, the Eastern Conference Humanitarian of the Year for the second straight year, recently completed his fourth full season with the Lethbridge Hurricanes. Now the team's captain, Wong has become an integral member of the community and was voted as the Hurricanes' Fan Favourite Player for the fourth consecutive season last month. Prior to the start of this season, Wong created a program in which he vowed to donate $5.00 of his own money to charity for each goal he scored. After recruiting teammates Ryley Lindgren and Carter Folk to join him, other individuals and local businesses soon jumped on board to create the 'Canes KidSport program that saw over $6,000.00 donated to KidSport this season. In addition, Wong spends an hour each Monday with a local atom hockey team as part of the Hurricanes' Mentorship Program. On his own time, the 19-year-old spends an hour and a half every Thursday he is available at Dr. Probe Elementary where he volunteers as a teacher's assistant in a grade five classroom mentoring students and helping them with reading, math and science.

Western Conference: Jerret Smith - Seattle Thunderbirds

Smith, who also recently completed his fourth WHL season, posted a career-high 41 points (9g-32a) from Seattle's blueline this season. All the while, Smith committed his free time to becoming a key mentor for youth in the Kent area. Smith was an active speaker in a number of school assemblies hosted by the Thunderbirds this season which covered topics such as anti-bullying, goal setting, and responsibility. As a leader in the community, Smith has also spent the past three years as a student mentor at Nelly-O'Brien Elementary School in Kent. Smith connects with students in classrooms or on the playground, but developed a particularly special bond with one. Smith's student confided in him earlier this year that his father was ill before he tragically passed away a short time later. The Surrey, BC native supported his student throughout the difficult time, lending an ear whenever he needed someone to listen. The day after Smith's student attended his father's funeral, he looked forward to another visit with his mentor. Smith's student and his class took a trip that day to ShoWare Centre where Smith and his teammates guided them through a tour of ShoWare Centre and the Thunderbirds' dressing room, lifting his spirits in the process. Smith has consistently demonstrated the powerful impact WHL players can have as role models in their communities.

WHL Player of the Year - Four Broncos Memorial Trophy

Eastern Conference: Dryden Hunt - Moose Jaw Warriors

Hunt, a product of Nelson, BC, enjoyed an outstanding season for the Moose Jaw Warriors, helping the team to a 36-27-7-2 record and a trip to the 2016 WHL Playoffs. The 20-year-old scored 58 goals to lead all WHL skaters and tallied 58 assists for 116 points to go along with a plus-12 rating in all 72 games. Hunt's 116 points ranked second in WHL scoring and first amongst all Warriors players. Hunt recorded an impressive 36 multiple-point outings and six hat-tricks, including four hat-tricks from February 6, 2016 - February 15, 2016. He also recorded eight game-winning goals for the Warriors.

Recently signed as a free agent by the Florida Panthers, Hunt has played five seasons in the WHL and amassed 249 points (117g-132a) in 269 career games.

Western Conference: Joe Hicketts - Victoria Royals

Kamloops, BC native Joe Hicketts enjoyed a terrific 2015-16 season for the Victoria Royals, helping the team post a record of 50-16-3-3 and claim the Scotty Munro Memorial Trophy as the League's top regular season club. The 19-year-old scored eight goals and 61 points to go with a plus-38 rating while appearing in just 59 games for the Royals. Hicketts' 61 points were seventh amongst WHL defencemen and his plus-38 rating was fourth amongst blueliners. The Royals' captain participated for Team WHL at the 2015 Canada Russia Series and also suited up for Team Canada at the 2016 IIHF World Junior Championship. Hicketts' contributions to Victoria's strong campaign were critical as the 5-8, 177 lb defenceman played major minutes in all situations this season.

Drafted by Victoria 12th overall in the 2011 WHL Bantam Draft, Hicketts has played four seasons for the Victoria Royals, amassing 173 points (32g-143a) in 225 career games. Hicketts was signed as a free agent by the Detroit Red Wings in 2014.

WHL Marketing/Business Award

Eastern Conference: Brandon Wheat Kings

The Brandon Wheat Kings have made significant strides in their performance from a business and marketing perspective during the 2015-16 WHL regular season. A competitive team on the ice, the Club enjoyed an 8.1% increase in attendance and eclipsed over 150,000 fans for the third time in franchise history. In regards to sponsorship, the Wheat Kings increased sponsorship sales by 3% and increased overall merchandise sales by nearly 20% overall last season. The Wheat Kings have remained heavily involved with the community as they increased their efforts in capturing off-ice events and utilizing social media accounts to maximize exposure of player visits and community events. In total, there were over 50 non-hockey related community visits and two dozen videos produced that resulted in over 390,000 views and 4300 shares, including a Community Story video that received over 200,000 views and 2,500 shares. Furthermore, the Wheat Kings raised over $130,000 for charities and youth groups across Westman through theme nights, jersey auctions and sponsorship packages. The Wheat Kings continue to embrace unique social media tools such as the #GoldRush filter that assisted in expanding coverage on various social media channels including Instagram, SnapChat and Periscope.

Western Conference: Victoria Royals

In just five years, the Victoria Royals have stood out with their high number of business and marketing initiatives and enjoyed extensive growth throughout the 2015-16 WHL regular season. The Royals achieved a 300% increase in sold out games from last year to this season and enjoyed a 10% increase in corporate sponsorship sales. The Royals used several innovative promotions with ticket sales such as the Holiday Voucher Pack in which more than 4,000 tickets were sold to exceed expectations. Additionally, 3,000 more tickets were sold via the Friends and Family promotion where the Royals partnered with a local pizza place for tickets and slices. The Royals have enhanced and grown all of their existing local campaigns this year, including the successful Hat Trick for Literacy program in which the Royals form a partnership with local schools that includes player visits and ticket rewards for completed book reports. The Royals continue to actively work with dozens of groups including Special Olympics, the Heart & Stroke Foundation, United Way, BC Cancer Agency, Mustard Seed Food Bank, and several minor hockey associations on Vancouver Island. Furthermore, the Royals incorporated special annual fundraising games such as the Teddy Bear Toss and Pink in the Rink which resulted in more than $20,000 raised for the Victoria Hospitals Foundation.

WHL Regular Season Champion - Scotty Munro Memorial Trophy

WINNER: Victoria Royals

The Royals posted a 50-16-3-3 record for 106 points in 72 games this season, finishing first overall for the first time in franchise history. This also marked the Royals' first Western Conference and BC Division titles. During the 2015-16 regular season, the Victoria Royals battled with the Kelowna Rockets for the Scotty Munro Memorial Trophy and the Royals clinched the award after defeating the Kelowna Rockets 7-4 on March 16th, 2016. The Royals defeated the Everett Silvertips in both meetings on March 18th and March 19th to cap off a productive campaign. The Victoria Royals allowed the fewest goals against in the WHL with only 166 while scoring 281 goals, third-best amongst all WHL Clubs. Victoria was consistent as they posted 26 of their wins at home and the remaining 24 on the road.

WHL Top Scorer - Bob Clarke Trophy

WINNER: Adam Brooks - Regina Pats

A 19-year-old from Winnipeg, MB, Brooks scored 38 goals and 82 assists for 120 points in 72 games during the 2015-16 WHL regular season. His 82 assists led all WHL players while he also posted a plus-41 rating which was tied for eighth-best amongst all skaters. Brooks was named the WHL Player of the Week three times and the CHL Player of the Week on one occasion. He recorded 33 multiple-point games, 22 of which saw him register at least three points. Drafted by Regina 25th overall in the second round of the 2011 WHL Bantam Draft, Brooks has played four seasons for the Pats, amassing 76 goals while adding 129 assists for 205 points in 251 career games.

WHL Scholastic Team of the Year

WINNER: Spokane Chiefs

The Spokane Chiefs' education program saw numerous academic achievements from its players during the 2015-16 season. The Chiefs ensured that student athletes fulfilled their academic requirements at both the high school and university level. This season, every Chiefs player in high school is completing an academic program which will result in a university-ready transcript. Of that group, three have been enrolled in college-level advanced placement courses. The nine players enrolled in high school recorded a collective average of 86% in 11th and 12th grade courses with two of those students completing their high school graduation requirements by the end of the first semester. The Chiefs' post-secondary philosophy has always been to make Athabasca University courses available to every interested graduate, and a total of nine players were enrolled in 11 classes this year. The Chiefs have designed a model that addresses the scholastic ambitions of every player and recognizes real-world realities for young men at different stages in their academic, personal and social development.

WHL Top Official

WINNER: Chris Schlenker

Chris Schlenker is in his third season as a referee in the Western Hockey League. The 30-year-old from Medicine Hat, AB, is a police officer and is married with three children. Schlenker was a former player in the WHL, having played for the Regina Pats and Prince Albert Raiders from 2001-2005. Schlenker's commitment to officiating has helped him develop all the skills necessary to be successful, including his composure, commitment and excellent judgement. Along with his WHL experience, Schlenker's impressive officiating resume includes working as an official for the American Hockey League.

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