Rockets' Nick Merkley Named Denny's WHL Player of the Week
Published on May 11, 2015 under Western Hockey League (WHL)
Kelowna Rockets News Release
CALGARY, AB - The Western Hockey League announced today that Kelowna Rockets forward Nick Merkley is the Denny's WHL Player of the Week for the week ending May 10th, 2015.
Merkley collected three points (2g-1a) to help the Kelowna Rockets pick up two victories in the 2015 WHL Championship Series, presented by Rogers, against the Brandon Wheat Kings. The series now shifts back to Kelowna, with Game 3 set for Monday night at Prospera Place.
On Friday, May 8th against the Wheat Kings, Merkley and the Rockets took Game 1 by a score of 4-3 to grab a 1-0 series lead. The following night, Merkley was productive in the Rockets' 5-3 victory over the Wheat Kings. Merkley recorded three points (2g-1a) including the game-winner and earned a plus-three rating while being named the game's first star. .
The 17-year-old Calgary, AB native amassed 90 points (20g-70a) while playing in all 72 games this season for the Rockets. The 5'10, 187 lb forward is in his second WHL campaign with Kelowna and has gathered 148 points (45g-103a) in 139 career WHL regular season contests. In 38 career WHL Playoff games, Merkley has recorded 43 points (8g-35a) to go along with a plus-10 rating. Merkley is eligible for the 2015 NHL Draft.
The WHL has also nominated Jackson Whistle of the Kelowna Rockets for the Vaughn CHL Goaltender of the Week award. Whistle, a 1995-born netminder from West Kelowna, BC, recorded a pair of wins last week in the 2015 WHL Championship Series against the Brandon Wheat Kings while posting a 3.00 goals against average and a .913 save percentage. On Friday, May 8th, Whistle turned aside 25 of 28 shots to lift the Rockets to a 4-3 win against the Wheat Kings in Game 1 of the WHL Championshsip Series. The following night, Whistle had a solid performance as he stopped 38 shots to again propel the Rockets to a 5-3 victory over the Wheat Kings and grab a 2-0 series lead.
Denny's WHL Player of the Week
May. 4 - May. 10: Nick Merkley, Kelowna Rockets
Apr. 27 - May. 3: Tyson Baillie, Kelowna Rockets
Apr. 20 - Apr. 26: John Quenneville, Brandon Wheat Kings
Apr. 13 - Apr. 19: Josh Morrissey, Kelowna Rockets
Apr. 6 - Apr. 12: Tyson Baillie, Kelowna Rockets
Mar. 30 - Apr. 5: Adam Tambellini, Calgary Hitmen
Mar. 23 - Mar. 29: Brandon Magee, Victoria Royals
Mar. 16 - Mar. 22: Jake DeBrusk, Swift Current Broncos
Mar. 9 - Mar. 15: Oliver Bjorkstrand, Portland Winterhawks
Mar. 2- Mar. 8: Peter Quenneville, Brandon Wheat Kings
Feb. 23- Mar. 1: Jansen Harkins, Prince George Cougars
Feb. 16- Feb. 22: Jayce Hawryluk, Brandon Wheat Kings
Feb. 9 - Feb. 15: Leon Draisaitl, Kelowna Rockets
Feb. 2 - Feb. 8: Rihards Bukarts, Brandon Wheat Kings
Jan. 26 - Feb. 1: Oliver Bjorkstrand, Portland Winterhawks
Jan. 19 - Jan. 25: Tyrell Goulbourne, Kelowna Rockets
Jan. 12 - Jan. 18: Tim McGauley, Brandon Wheat Kings
Jan. 5 - Jan. 11: Oliver Bjorkstrand, Portland Winterhawks
Dec. 29 - Jan. 4: Travis Brown, Victoria Royals
Dec. 15 - Dec. 28: Trevor Cox, Medicine Hat Tigers
Dec. 8 - Dec. 14: Cole Sanford, Medicine Hat Tigers
Dec. 1 - Dec. 7: Connor Rankin, Calgary Hitmen
Nov. 24 - Nov. 30: Oliver Bjorkstrand, Portland Winterhawks
Nov. 17 - Nov. 23: Lane Bauer, Edmonton Oil Kings
Nov. 10 - Nov. 16: Sam Reinhart, Kootenay Ice
Nov. 3 - Nov. 9: Rourke Chartier, Kelowna Rockets
Oct. 27 - Nov. 2: Josh Morrissey, Prince Albert Raiders
Oct. 20 - Oct. 26: Conner Bleackley, Red Deer Rebels
Oct. 13 - Oct. 19: Joe Hicketts, Victoria Royals
Oct. 6 - Oct. 12: Ivan Nikolishin, Everett Silvertips
Sept. 29 - Oct. 5: Madison Bowey, Kelowna Rockets
Sept. 22 - Sept. 28: Carson Stadnyk, Everett Silvertips
Sept. 19 - Sept. 21: Jay Merkley, Swift Current Broncos
Western Hockey League Stories from May 11, 2015
- Date Announced for Game 2 of West Division Final - Calgary Hitmen
- Rockets' Nick Merkley Named Denny's WHL Player of the Week - Kelowna Rockets
- Chiefs Sign Ty Smith - Spokane Chiefs
- Rockets' Nick Merkley Named Denny's WHL Player of the Week - WHL
- Hurricanes Sign Calen Addison - Lethbridge Hurricanes
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