Pickard Selected as Western Conference Goaltender of the Year
March 18, 2009 - Western Hockey League (WHL)
Tri-City Americans News Release
KENNEWICK, WA - The Tri-City Americans are proud to announce that the Western Hockey League has selected Chet Pickard as the Western Conference's Goaltender of the Year. It marks the second straight season that the Pickard has won the honor.
Appearing in 50 games for Tri-City this season, Pickard amassed a 35-12-0-3 record while pacing the Americans to their second-straight U.S. Division crown. Pickard finished inside the League's top-5 in goals against average (2.28, 5th), save percentage (0.921, 2nd), wins (35, 4th) and shutouts (6, t-3rd). Pickard, who was also named a first-team all-star earlier today, is trying to become the first goaltender to win consecutive WHL Goaltender of the Year honors since Calgary's Mike Vernon did it in 1981-82 and 1982-83. If selected, Pickard would become just the fourth winner in the League's history to have been awarded the honor twice in their careers.
The WHL Player of the Year finalists will be announced on Wednesday, April 15th, 2009. The winners of these awards, along with the WHL Player of the Year, will be announced at the 2008-09 WHL Awards Luncheon in Edmonton, Alberta on Wednesday, April 29th, 2009.
The WHL will announce the Eastern Conference awards finalists at the 2009 Playoff press conference in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan on Thursday, March 19th.
WHL WESTERN CONFERENCE AWARD FINALISTS
WHL Rookie of the Year, Jim Piggott Memorial Trophy
Brett Connolly (Prince George, BC), Prince George Cougars
WHL Goaltender of the Year, Del Wilson Trophy
Chet Pickard (Winnipeg, MB), Tri-City Americans
WHL Defenseman of the Year, Bill Hunter Memorial Trophy
Jonathon Blum (Rancho Santa Margarita, CA) Vancouver, BC
WHL Most Sportsmanlike Player of the Year, Brad Hornung Trophy
Colin Long (Santa Ana, CA), Kelowna Rockets
WHL Scholastic Player of the Year, Daryl K. (Doc) Seaman Trophy
Tyler Maxwell (Manhattan Beach, CA) Everett Silvertips
WHL Coach of the Year, Dunc McCallum Memorial Trophy
Don Hay, Vancouver Giants
WHL Executive of the Year, Lloyd Saunders Memorial Trophy
Scott Bonner, Vancouver Giants
WHL Regular Season Champions, Scotty Munro Memorial Trophy
Calgary Hitmen
GP - 72 W - 59, L - 9, OTL - 3, SL - 1, Pts - 122
WHL Top Scorer - Bob Clarke Trophy
Casey Pierro-Zabotel - (Kamloops, BC) Vancouver Giants
GP - 72, G - 36, A - 79, Pts - 115, PIM - 52
• Discuss this story on the Western Hockey League message board...
Western Hockey League Stories from March 18, 2009
- Brandon Has Playoff Fever? - Brandon Wheat Kings
- Western Hockey League Announces Western All-Star Teams - WHL
- Six Giants Named to WHL All Star Teams or Awards Finalists - Vancouver Giants
- Hawks Win Draft Lottery - WHL
- Blades Close Out Regular Season Ranked Seventh in CHL - Saskatoon Blades
- Hitmen Leap over Spitfires into Top Spot - WHL
- Pickard Selected as Western Conference Goaltender of the Year - Tri-City Americans
- Warriors to Select Second Overall in 2009 WHL Bantam Draft - Moose Jaw Warriors
- Tokarski and Bowman Earn Post-Season Honors - Spokane Chiefs
- Connolly A Finalist For WHL Rookie of the Year - Prince George Cougars
- Pickard, Procyshen Named to All-Star Rosters - Tri-City Americans
- WHL Announces 2008-09 Western Conference All-Star Teams and Awards Finalists - WHL
- 2009 WHL Playoffs First Round Preview - WHL
- White-Out at the Credit Union Centre - Saskatoon Blades
- Hitmen Prepare For Edmonton Oil Kings In First Round Of 2009 Playoffs - Calgary Hitmen
- WHL Playoffs Set - WHL
- Americans Wrap-up Regular Season with 2-1 Loss to Chiefs - Tri-City Americans
- Kelowna Rockets Announce Awards Banquet Winners - Kelowna Rockets
- Oil Kings Head To Post Season In Just Second Year Of Modern Franchise History - Edmonton Oil Kings
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
