CHIEFS' YAMAMOTO NAMED WHL ON THE RUN PLAYER OF THE WEEK

January 30, 2018 - Western Hockey League (WHL) News Release

Calgary, Alta. - The Western Hockey League announced today that Spokane Chiefs forward Kailer Yamamoto has been named WHL On the Run Player of the Week for the week ending January 28, 2018.

Yamamoto, who was selected by the Edmonton Oilers in the first round, 22nd overall, of the 2017 NHL Draft, registered 10 points (6G-4A) in four games as the Chiefs continued to occupy the second wild card spot in the Western Conference while also remaining on the cusp of moving into the top three teams in the competitive U.S. Division.

Tuesday, Yamamoto had a goal and three points as the Chiefs beat the Swift Current Broncos by a 4-2 score. He scored Spokane's first goal and picked up two even-strength assists while being named the second star of the game. One night later, Yamamoto helped guide the Chiefs to victory as he scored twice in a 5-0 shutout of the Vancouver Giants. One of Yamamoto's goals came at even-strength and the other came while short-handed, earning him first star honours in the game.

Saturday, Yamamoto picked up a primary assist in Spokane's 5-4 overtime loss to the Tri-City Americans. The Oilers prospect had a big performance in his final game of the week, tallying a goal and four points in 6-5 overtime loss to the Everett Silvertips Sunday. His effort earned his third star honours in-house as well as first star of the night honours in the WHL.

Of Yamamoto's 10 points, seven (2G-5A) came at even strength, two came on the power play (1G-1A), and another came while short-handed (1G). His big week helped to extend his point streak to 10 games, with 22 points (8G-14A) in that span.

The 5-foot-8, 155-pound 19-year-old forward from Spokane, Wash. began his year with the Oilers, tallying three assists in nine games. Since returning to Spokane, he has 31 points (9G-22A) in 21 games, producing near the same rate as last year's 99-point campaign.

Originally selected by the Chiefs in the fifth round, 105th overall, of the 2013 WHL Bantam Draft, Yamamoto has been a valuable part of the Chiefs lineup throughout his WHL career, tallying 258 points (93G-165A) in 211 games. Of his 93 goals, 28 have come on the power play, five were while short handed and he has 20 game-winning goals to his credit as well. He's also appeared in 12 WHL playoff games, recording 10 points (3G-7A).

The Chiefs will continue their pursuit of better positioning in the U.S. Division Friday, February 2 (7:00 p.m. MST) when they travel to Cranbrook, B.C. to take on the Kootenay ICE.

REBELS' ANDERS NAMED

WHL GOALTENDER OF THE WEEK

Calgary, Alta. - The Western Hockey League announced today that Red Deer Rebels rookie Ethan Anders has been named WHL Goaltender of the Week and league nominee for the Vaughn CHL Goaltender of the Week for the week ending January 28, 2018.

Anders, a 6-foot-0, 186-pound 17-year-old product of Regina, Sask., helped the Rebels take five of a possible six points from their three games this week as they looked to improve their record. In three games, Anders went 2-0-1-0, sported a 1.62 goals-against-average and stopped 119 of 124 shots for a .960 save-percentage.

His strong week began Wednesday against the Medicine Hat Tigers when he stopped 36 of 37 shots in a 4-1 win for the Rebels. With the game tied 1-1 after 20 minutes, Anders stopped all 25 shots from the Central Division leaders in the second and third period to help secure a Red Deer victory on home ice. In addition to being named the third star of the game, Anders was named the WHL's second star of the night.

Saturday, Anders' strong week continued in a 3-2 overtime victory over the Kelowna Rockets as he stopped 41 of 43 shots against the B.C. Division leaders. After stopping all 15 shots in the first, he still 26 of Kelowna's 28 shots over the final 42:46 of the game. He was recognized once again Saturday, earning first star honours in the game.

Sunday saw Anders deliver another stellar performance, stopping 42 of 44 shots in a 2-1 overtime loss to the Lethbridge Hurricanes. Stopping all 30 Lethbridge shots through the first 40 minutes, Anders earned first star of the game honours for his performance. In 185:43 of action this week, Anders effort ensured the Rebels trailed for only 12:03 of that time.

Having taken points from three straight games, Anders and the Rebels will look to continue their success as they begin a four-game road trip Tuesday, January 30 (7:00 p.m. CST) against the Prince Albert Raiders.

WHL On the Run Player of the Week

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

Jan. 8 - Jan. 14: 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

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

Jan. 22 - Jan. 28: Ethan Anders, Red Deer Rebels

Jan. 15 - Jan. 21: Carter Hart, Everett Silvertips

Jan. 8 - Jan. 14: Stuart Skinner, Swift Current Broncos

Jan. 1 - Jan. 7: Nolan Maier, Saskatoon Blades

Dec. 27 - Dec. 31: James Porter, Kelowna Rockets

Dec. 11 - Dec. 17: David Tendeck, Vancouver Giants

Dec. 4 - Dec. 10: Carter Hart, Everett Silvertips

Nov. 27 - Dec. 3: Carter Hart, Everett Silvertips

Nov. 20 - Nov. 26: Carter Hart, Everett Silvertips

Nov. 13 - Nov. 19: Carter Hart, Everett Silvertips

Nov. 6 - Nov. 12: Brody Willms, Moose Jaw Warriors

Oct. 30 - Nov. 5: Cole Kehler, Portland Winterhawks

Oct. 23 - Oct. 29: Dustin Wolf, Everett Silvertips

Oct. 16 - Oct. 22: Dawson Weatherill, Spokane Chiefs

Oct. 9 - Oct. 15: Logan Flodell, Swift Current Broncos

Oct. 2 - Oct. 8: Cole Kehler, Portland Winterhawks

Sept. 25 - Oct. 1: Tavin Grant, Prince George Cougars

Sept. 22 - Sept. 24: Griffen Outhouse, Victoria Royals

Western Hockey League Stories from January 30, 2018

• Rockets and Tigers Clash Once More - Kelowna Rockets
• Everett Silvertips Elite 16U Club Finishes First Overall in NAPHL Regular Season Standings - Everett Silvertips
• CHIEFS' YAMAMOTO NAMED WHL ON THE RUN PLAYER OF THE WEEK - WHL

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