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Chiefs' Smith Named WHL On the Run Player of the Week

February 26, 2018 - Western Hockey League (WHL) News Release


Calgary, Alta. - The Western Hockey League announced today that 2018 NHL Draft prospect and Spokane Chiefs defenceman Ty Smith has been named WHL On the Run Player of the Week for the week ending February 25, 2018.

Ranked 14th among North American skaters by NHL Central Scouting in January's Midterm Rankings, Smith recorded 10 points (3G-7A) and a plus-12 rating in four games this week. The strong play helped the Chiefs move within a point of the Portland Winterhawks for second place in the competitive U.S. Division.

After being held pointless in a 4-1 loss to the Everett Silvertips at the start of the weekend, Smith delivered an incredible record-setting performance Friday, tallying a pair of goals and seven points in a 9-2 win against the Prince George Cougars. Smith scored Spokane's third and fourth goals of the game, notching his fourth game-winning goal of the season. He also had five assists, two primary and three secondary with all seven of his points coming at even strength.

Smith's night helped set a new Chiefs' franchise record for points in a single game by a defenceman, one that had stood since 1986. In addition to being named the first star of the game, Smith was recognized by the WHL as the first star of the night for his efforts.

The Chiefs kept rolling Saturday, scoring a 5-3 win over the Kootenay ICE with Smith collecting his third goal of the week. Sunday, Smith and the Chiefs turned the tables on the Everett Silvertips in the finale of the regular season series, winning 5-2. The game featured a pair of assists by Smith, who earned first star honours in the game. All 10 of Smith's points this week came at even-strength.

Smith, a 5-foot-10, 170-pound product of Lloydminster, Alta. has registered 68 points (13G-55A) in 60 games this season, good enough for second in scoring among WHL defencemen. Selected first overall by the Chiefs in the 2015 WHL Bantam Draft, Smith has appeared in 128 WHL regular season games, tallying 102 points (18G-84A), including five power-play goals and six game-winning goals.

At last month's 2018 Sherwin-Williams CHL/NHL Top Prospects game, Smith served as the captain for Team Orr. Smith is the second Chief to earn the WHL On the Run Player of the Week honours after teammate Kailer Yamamoto earned the award in late January.

Sunday's game against the Silvertips marked the beginning of a six-game road trip for the Chiefs that will continue Friday, March 2 (7:05 p.m. PST) against the Tri-City Americans.

BRONCOS' SKINNER NAMED

WHL GOALTENDER OF THE WEEK

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE / MONDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 2018

Calgary, Alta. - The Western Hockey League announced today that Swift Current Broncos goaltender Stuart Skinner has been named WHL Goaltender of the Week and league nominee for the Vaughn CHL Goaltender of the Week for the week ending February 25, 2018.

Skinner, who was selected in the third round, 78th overall, by the Edmonton Oilers in the 2017 NHL Draft, won both his starts this week, maintaining a 1.00 goals-against-average, .966 save percentage and one shutout as the Broncos continued to challenge the Moose Jaw Warriors for the best record in the WHL.

In a pivotal matchup against the Warriors Wednesday, Skinner stopped 37 of 39 shots in a 4-2 win for the Broncos as they never trailed in the contest. Skinner's next start came Sunday as he stopped all 20 shots in his hometown as the Broncos routed the Edmonton Oil Kings by an 8-0 score. Skinner and the Broncos successfully killed off all six power play opportunities by the Oil Kings. The shutout was Skinner's sixth of the season and 12th of his WHL career.

Originally selected by the Lethbridge Hurricanes in the first round, 17th overall, of the 2013 WHL Bantam Draft, Skinner has thrived with the Broncos, posting a 13-3-1-0 record, 2.29 GAA and .928 SV% as well as two shutouts in 17 games. A 6-foot-4, 200-pound product of Edmonton, Alta., the 19-year-old Skinner has appeared in 199 WHL regular season games, posting a 101-69-9-5 record, 3.21 GAA and .909 SV% as well as 12 shutouts.

This is Skinner's second WHL Goaltender of the Week award after earning the honours in early January 2018.

The Broncos next game will also be their final regular season game in Alberta as they take on the Calgary Hitmen on Tuesday, February 27 (11:00 a.m. MST).

WHL On the Run Player of the Week

Feb. 19 - Feb. 25: Ty Smith, Spokane Chiefs

Feb. 12 - Feb. 18: Jordy Bellerive, Lethbridge Hurricanes

Feb. 5 - Feb. 11: Tyler Soy, Victoria Royals

Jan. 29 - Feb. 4: Ty Ronning, Vancouver Giants

Jan. 22 - Jan. 28: Kailer Yamamoto, Spokane Chiefs

Jan. 15 - Jan. 21: Matt Fonteyne, Everett Silvertips

Jan. 8 - Jan. 14: Dylan Cozens, Lethbridge Hurricanes

Jan. 1 - Jan. 7: Matteo Gennaro, Swift Current Broncos

Dec. 27 - Dec. 31: Braylon Shmyr, Saskatoon Blades

Dec. 11 - Dec. 17: Nolan Volcan, Seattle Thunderbirds

Dec. 4 - Dec. 10: Stelio Mattheos, Brandon Wheat Kings

Nov. 27 - Dec. 3: Calen Addison, Lethbridge Hurricanes

Nov. 20 - Nov. 26: Cody Glass, Portland Winterhawks

Nov. 13 - Nov. 19: Jayden Halbgewachs, Moose Jaw Warriors

Nov. 6 - Nov. 12: Aleksi Heponiemi, Swift Current Broncos

Oct. 30 - Nov. 5: Jermaine Loewen, Kamloops Blazers

Oct. 23 - Oct. 29: Brett Howden, Moose Jaw Warriors

Oct. 16 - Oct. 22: Tyler Steenbergen, Swift Current Broncos

Oct. 9 - Oct. 15: Tyler Soy, Victoria Royals

Oct. 2 - Oct. 8: Kale Clague, Brandon Wheat Kings

Sept. 25 - Oct. 1: Tyler Steenbergen, Swift Current Broncos

Sept. 22 - Sept. 24: Kole Lind, Kelowna Rockets

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Western Hockey League Stories from February 26, 2018


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