Guard and Ward named WHL Player of the Year finalists
Published on April 1, 2004 under Western Hockey League (WHL) News Release
Calgary - The Western Hockey League today announced the Eastern and Western Conference finalists for the 2003-04 WHL Player of the Year. The two finalists for Player of the Year was determined through voting by the General Managers, coaches, broadcast personnel and media representatives of all 20 WHL Clubs.
WHL EASTERN CONFERENCE
In the WHL's Eastern Conference, which includes the East and Central Divisions, the Player of the Year Nominee is goaltender Cam Ward of the Red Deer Rebels.
Ward, born in 1984, from Sherwood Park, Alberta, recorded 31 wins (3rd in the WHL), 16 losses, and 8 ties. Ward recorded a 2.05 goals against average (3rd in the WHL), a 0.926 save percentage (2nd in the WHL) and four shutouts in 56 games played.
During the 2003-04 season, Ward captured the Husky WHL Player of the Month honour for March and was also named the Greyhound WHL Player of the Week for the week of December 1st to 7th. Ward was named a 2003-04 Eastern Conference First Team All-Star and was also named a finalist for WHL Goaltender of the Year.
Ward was drafted by the Carolina Hurricanes in the first round of the 2002 NHL Entry Draft.
WHL WESTERN CONFERENCE
In the Western Conference, which includes the B.C. and U.S. Divisions, the Player of the Year Nominee is goaltender Kelly Guard of the Kelowna Rockets.
Guard, a 20-year-old from Prince Albert, Saskatchewan, recorded 44 wins (1st in the WHL), 14 losses, and 4 ties. Guard recorded a 1.56 goals against average (1st in the WHL), a 0.925 save percentage (Tied 3rd in the WHL) and 13 shutouts (1st in the WHL) in 62 games played.
During the 2003-04 season, Guard set a CHL and WHL record for most shutouts in a single season with 13, breaking a 36 year old record. Guard also set a CHL and WHL record for best goals against average in a single season, with a 1.56 GAA. Guard captured the Husky WHL Player of the Month honours for September/October and was also named the Greyhound WHL Player of the Week for the week of October 20th to 26th. Guard was named a 2003-04 Western Conference First Team All-Star and has been named a finalist for WHL Goaltender of the Year. Guard is a free agent.
The WHL also announced the Humanitarian and Marketing/Communications Award Finalists.
The Finalists for the WHL Humanitarian of the Year are Cam Ward of the Red Deer Rebels from the WHL's Eastern Conference and Braydon Coburn of the Portland Winter Hawks from the WHL's Western Conference.
The Finalists for the WHL Marketing & Communications Award are Mark Stiles, Director of Marketing for the Calgary Hitmen (Eastern Conference) and Gavin Hamilton, Director of Marketing for the Kelowna Rockets (Western Conference).
The recipients of all WHL individual awards will be announced at the WHL 2004 Awards Luncheon, which will be held in Calgary, Alberta, at the Pengrowth Saddledome on Wednesday, April 28th, 2004.
2003-2004 WHL AWARD FINALISTS (2003-2004 Regular Season Statistics)
Player of the Year
Cam Ward, Red Deer Rebels
Kelly Guard, Kelowna Rockets
Rookie of the Year
Andrew Ladd, Calgary Hitmen
Gilbert Brule, Vancouver Giants
Top Goaltender
Cam Ward, Red Deer Rebels
Kelly Guard, Kelowna Rockets
Top Defenceman
Dion Phaneuf, Red Deer Rebels
Josh Gorges, Kelowna Rockets
Most Sportsmanlike
Tomas Fleischmann, Moose Jaw Warriors
Nigel Dawes, Kootenay Ice
Humanitarian Award
Cam Ward, Red Deer Rebels
Braydon Coburn, Portland Winter Hawks
Coach of the Year
Curtis Hunt, Moose Jaw Warriors
Kevin Constantine, Everett Silvertips
Executive of the Year
Kelly Kisio, Calgary Hitmen
Bruce Hamilton, Kelowna Rockets
Marketing & Communications Award
Mark Stiles, Calgary Hitmen
Gavin Hamilton, Kelowna Rockets
Western Hockey League Stories from April 1, 2004
- Hitmen's Mark Stiles Nominated for WHL Award - Calgary Hitmen
- Guard and Ward named WHL Player of the Year finalists - WHL
- Lammers & Versteeg Crack U18 Team Canada World Championship Roster - Lethbridge Hurricanes
- Williams sent to St. John's - Swift Current Broncos
- Hitmen's Schultz & Rogers to represent Canada at U-18 World Championships - Calgary Hitmen
- Blazers Thank Sponsors of Open House - Kamloops Blazers
- Wheaties-Tigers brief playoff history - Brandon Wheat Kings
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