WHL Portland Winterhawks

Five Winterhawks Earn Honors as WHL Announces Divisional Awards

Published on April 21, 2022 under Western Hockey League (WHL)
Portland Winterhawks News Release


Calgary, Alta. - The Western Hockey League today announced that several Winterhawks players earned divisional awards for their success in the 2021-22 season.

Goaltender Taylor Gauthier was named U.S. Division Goaltender of the Year.

Gauthier, 21, joined the Winterhawks via trade in December 2021 and debuted with the club on Jan. 8 at the Kelowna Rockets. Gauthier led the league with a .928 save percentage and ranked fourth in the WHL with a 2.34 Goals Allowed Average (GAA). His 31 wins also ranked fourth among WHL netminders, 24 of which came in a Winterhawks sweater. After hitting the ground running in Portland, the undrafted Gauthier signed a three-year NHL contract with the Pittsburgh Penguins in February.

Forward Gabe Klassen was named U.S. Division Scholastic Player of the Year.

Klassen, 18, graduated early from high school and has grades in the 90s in college Business and Sports Psychology courses. On the ice, in addition to quadrupling his previous career-highs in goals, assists and points this year, Klassen also stepped up for the Winterhawks as an alternate captain in just his 18-year-old season, sporting an "A" on his sweater when the team wore white.

Goaltender Taylor Gauthier, forward Cross Hanas and defenseman Clay Hanus were named to the U.S. Division First All-Star Team.

Gauthier, who was also named U.S. Division Goaltender of the Year, earned First-Team All-Star honors in just 28 games with the Winterhawks. As mentioned above, Gauthier led the league in save percentage, and ranked fourth in both GAA and wins despite splitting the year between two teams.

Hanas, 20, posted career-best numbers in his 19-year-old season, notching 26 goals and 60 assists for a team-leading 86 points this year. His 60 helpers ranked fourth in the WHL, and his 86 points ranked second among U.S. Division skaters. Originally a fourth-round selection of the NHL's Detroit Red Wings in 2020, Hanas signed his first NHL contract in March.

Hanus, 21, also put up career highs in goals, assists and points this season. With 18 goals and 56 assists for 74 points, Hanus nearly tripled his previous career-best mark of 27 points, set in 2019-20. Hanus ranked second among WHL defensemen in goals and points, and fourth in assists while serving as the Winterhawks' co-captain alongside Tyson Kozak.

Forward Tyson Kozak was named to the U.S. Division Second All-Star Team.

Kozak, 19, recorded a career-best 69 points in 66 games this year which ranked fourth among Winterhawks skaters. His 32 goals ranked third in team scoring, and Kozak also served as the team's co-captain alongside U.S. Division First-Team All-Star Clay Hanus. Prior to his breakout campaign in 2021-22, Kozak was originally selected in the seventh round of the 2021 NHL Draft by the Buffalo Sabres.

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Western Hockey League Stories from April 21, 2022


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