Gagnon selected Western Conference First Team All-Star
Published on March 22, 2007 under Western Hockey League (WHL)
Seattle Thunderbirds News Release
Seattle, March 22, 2007 - The Seattle Thunderbirds are pleased to announce two players have been selected to Western Conference All-Star teams.
T-Birds team captain Aaron Gagnon was selected a Western Conference First Team All-Star. Gagnon, a 20-year-old from Armstrong, British Columbia, finished the season with 80 points on 42 goals and 38 assists. He signed a three-year contract with the Dallas Stars of the National Hockey League on February 2.
Gagnon finishes his T-Birds career with 318 games played, good for third on the T-Birds all time games played list. He has 244 career points on 123 goals and 121 assists. Gagnon is seventh on the T-Birds career goals scored list.
"Aaron clearly was a dominant player in the league this year and we feel he is a strong candidate to win the league's player of the year award," said T-Birds General Manager Russ Farwell.
Defenseman Thomas Hickey was selected a Western Conference Second Team All-Star. Hickey, a 17-year- old from Calgary, Alberta, finished the season with 50 points on nine goals and 41 assists. Hickey is eligible for the 2007 NHL Draft and is ranked 26th by NHL Central Scouting in their mid-term rankings of first- year draft eligible players.
"Hickey was consistent beyond his years and gave us both outstanding defense and a valuable scoring threat from the blue line", said Farwell.
"We are very happy both of these players were selected as All-Stars."
The T-Birds are currently preparing for their first round playoff series against the Tri-City Americans. The series starts Friday, March 23, in Kennewick, Washington. Games 3 and 4 are in Seattle on Tuesday, March 27, and Wednesday, March 28.
First Round Playoff Schedule
Game 1: Friday, March 23 at 7:05 p.m. at Toyota Center
Game 2: Saturday, March 24 at 7:05 p.m. at Toyota Center
Game 3: Tuesday, March 27 at 7:05 p.m. at KeyArena
Game 4: Wednesday, March 28 at 7:05 p.m. at KeyArena
Game 5: Friday, March 30 at 7:05 p.m. at Toyota Center*
Game 6: Saturday, March 31 at 7:05 p.m. at KeyArena*
Game 7: Tuesday, April 3 at 7:05 p.m. at Toyota Center*
* - if necessary
Single game playoff tickets are currently on sale for the first round series against the Americans. Single game playoff tickets are $22, $18 and $14 and may be purchased by calling TicketMaster at 206-628-0888 or online at www.seattlethunderbirds.com. Playoff tickets can also be purchased by calling 206-448-PUCK (7825) or at all TicketMaster outlets, the KeyArena West Box Office Monday - Saturday 10 a.m. - 6 p.m. and The Hockey Store located at 14326 124th Ave NE in Kirkland.
Ten-game playoff ticket packages are $220 and are available by calling 206-448-PUCK (7825).
WHL WESTERN CONFERENCE ALL-STAR TEAMS
FIRST TEAM ALL-STAR
Goaltender - Carey Price, Tri-City Americans
Defenseman - Cody Franson, Vancouver Giants
Defenseman - Ray Macias, Kamloops Blazers
Forward - Aaron Gagnon, Seattle Thunderbirds
Forward - Peter Mueller, Everett Silvertips
Forward - Zach Hamill, Everett Silvertips
SECOND TEAM ALL-STAR TEAM
Goaltender - Leland Irving, Everett Silvertips
Defenseman - Ty Wishart, Prince George Cougars
Defenseman - Thomas Hickey, Seattle Thunderbirds**
Jason Fransoo, Everett Silvertips**
Forward - Reid Jorgensen, Kamloops Blazers
Forward - Colton Yellow Horn, Tri-City Americans
Forward - Brock Nixon, Kamloops Blazers
WHL EASTERN CONFERENCE ALL-STAR TEAMS
FIRST TEAM ALL-STAR
Goaltender - Matt Keetley, Medicine Hat Tigers
Defenseman - Kris Russell, Medicine Hat Tigers*
Defenseman - Mike Busto, Kootenay Ice
Forward - Ryan White, Calgary Hitmen
Forward - Steve DaSilva, Kootenay Ice
Forward - Riley Holzapfel, Moose Jaw Warriors
SECOND TEAM ALL-STAR
Goaltender - Taylor Dakers, Kootenay Ice
Defenseman - David Schlemko , Medicine Hat Tigers
Defenseman - Karl Alzner, Calgary Hitmen
Forward - Zach Boychuk, Lethbridge Hurricanes
Forward - Darren Helm, Medicine Hat Tigers
Forward - Martin Hanzal, Red Deer Rebels
* Indicates unanimous selection
** Represents tie in WHL All- Star Voting
Western Hockey League Stories from March 22, 2007
- Rockets To Pick Second In Bantam Draft - Kelowna Rockets
- Brandon Wheat Kings Game Notes - Brandon Wheat Kings
- WHL unveils All-Stars, Bantam Lottery - WHL
- Four Silvertips Named to Western Conference All-Star Squads - Everett Silvertips
- Gagnon selected Western Conference First Team All-Star - Seattle Thunderbirds
- Portland to select first overall in WHL Bantam Draft - WHL
- WHL Announces 2006-07 All Star Teams - Vancouver Giants
- Winter Hawks to Select First in 2007 WHL Bantam Draft - Portland Winterhawks
- Sea of White - Prince George Cougars
- Slow ticket sales concerning - Brandon Wheat Kings
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