Sports stats



CHL Central Hockey League

Riley Weselowski Named CHL Most Outstanding Defenseman

March 23, 2012 - Central Hockey League (CHL) News Release


GLENDALE, AZ (March 23, 2012) - The Central Hockey League (CHL) announced today that Riley Weselowski of the Rapid City Rush has been named the recipient of the 2011-12 Central Hockey League's Most Outstanding Defenseman award.

The honor is "˜presented annually to the Central Hockey League defenseman who has demonstrated the greatest all-round ability in the position' and is determined through balloting of CHL head coaches, communications departments and selected media members in each market.

Earlier this week, the Pilot Mound, Manitoba native was given the CHL's Man of the Year award for his strong leadership qualities both on and off the ice and now he earns the honor as the league's top defenseman. Weselowski appeared on 22 of the 50 ballots beating out Fort Wayne's Frankie DeAngelis who finished second with 13 votes. Weselowski and DeAngelis were the defensemen voted to the All-CHL team announced this past Monday. Other finalists for the top defenseman award included Evansville's Matt Gens, Missouri's David Pszenyczny and Quad City's Darren McMillan.

Weselowski currently is tied for fifth among defensemen in scoring with 40 points (9-31@) and his +24 plus/minus rating is second among all active blue liners and tied for second among all players in the league. In his third season with the Rush and fourth professional season overall, the 27-year-old defenseman was selected to the CHL All-Star team in January.

In 150 career games in the CHL, the 6-0, 190-pound defenseman has scored 14 goals with 57 assists and is a combined +65 during the three seasons. This year, Weselowski has scored four more goals and has nine more points than his first two seasons with Rapid City combined.

The CHL Most Outstanding Goaltender (Scott Brower Award) will be given out later today (Friday, March 23) and the CHL Most Valuable Player recipient will be announced on Monday, March 26.

CHL Most Outstanding Defenseman (previous winners, since 2001)

2011-12 - Riley Weselowski (Rapid City)

2010-11 - Andrew Martens (Wichita)

2009-10 - Aaron Schneekloth (Colorado)

2008-09 - Aaron Schneekloth (Colorado)

2007-08 - Vladimir Hartinger (New Mexico)

2006-07 - Brad Williamson (Colorado)

2005-06 - Serge Dube (Laredo)

2004-05 - Paul Esdale (Wichita)

2003-04 - Bernie John (Indianapolis)

2002-03 - Michel Periard (Laredo)

2001-02 - Daniel Tetrault (Austin)

2012 CHL Awards that have already been announced are:

CHL Athletic Trainer of the Year - Bryan Rogers, Dayton Gems

CHL Gunner Garrett Equipment Manager of the Year - Romeo Vivit, Rapid City Rush

CHL All-Rookie Team - Jared Brown (QDC), Andrew Courtney (MIZ), Mark Guggenberger (TEX), Dylan King (ALN), Jeff Terminesi (TUL) and Mike Ullrich (TUL)

All-CHL Team - Frankie DeAngelis (FTW), Mark Guggenberger (TEX), Shawn Limpright (RPD, Brandon Marino (QDC), Todd Robinson (EVA) and Riley Weselowski (RPD)

CHL Man of the Year - Riley Weselowski, Rapid City Rush

CHL Rookie of the Year - Mark Guggenberger, Texas Brahmas

CHL Coach of the Year - Kevin McClelland, Wichita Thunder

• Discuss this story on the Central Hockey League message board...

Central Hockey League Stories from March 23, 2012


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.


Sports Statistics from the Stats Crew
OurSports Central