WHL Brandon Wheat Kings

Patera Earns Telus Player of the Month

Published on January 2, 2020 under Western Hockey League (WHL)
Brandon Wheat Kings News Release


Brandon, MB. - For the second time this season a Brandon Wheat Kings' goalkeeper has earned TELUS Player of the Month honours.

Veteran Jiri Patera has been named December's winner thanks to an impressive month that was among the league leaders.

The 20-year old native of the Czech Republic played in eight games last month, finishing with a 4-2-0-2 record, a sparkling 2.45 goals against average and a stellar .924 save percentage.

The first import goaltender in franchise history, Jiri is currently in his second WHL season after being chosen by the Vegas Golden Knights in the sixth round of the 2017 National Hockey League Entry Draft.

He was Brandon's second round selection in the 2018 Canadian Hockey League Import Draft, after spending the 2017-18 campaign with the Cedar Rapids Roughriders of the United States Hockey League.

Patera joins Ethan Kruger as Brandon netminders to be recognized with this honour this season.

Kruger was October's recipient while forward Cole Reinhardt was given the nod in November.

In nineteen games this season, Patera has posted a 2.87 goals against average, a .911 save percentage and one shutout.

Since joining the wheat Kings in the fall of 2018, he is 31-27-3-4 with a 3.18 goals against average and a .908 save percentage in 67 career games.

This award is presented to the Wheat King, who best demonstrates success - both on and off the ice - as a teammate and role model in the community.

TELUS will present Jiri with this monthly award during the second intermission of Friday night's game against the visiting Prince Albert Raiders at Westoba Place.

Friday night is also Home Depot Family Skate Night, presented by 91.5 Q Country Sports and 94.7 Star FM. The first 1,500 children in attendance will receive a "free" Wheat Kings' mini stick and fans are encouraged to bring their skates and helmets and join the players on the ice following the game for a "free" public skate.

The Wheat Kings come into the game tied with Saskatoon for third place in the WHL's Eastern Division with a record of 17-17-1-2. Brandon has won back to back games, including a 3-1 victory over Moose Jaw on New Year's Day.

Tickets to the game are on sale at the Keystone Centre box office, by calling (204) 726-3555 or online at keystonecentre.com.

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