WHL Brandon Wheat Kings

Stone chosen Player of the Month

Published on February 2, 2004 under Western Hockey League (WHL)
Brandon Wheat Kings News Release


Brandon, Manitoba - One of the three members of the Brandon Wheat Kings to be selected in last June's National Hockey League entry draft has been chosen the Western Hockey League club's Jack Fraser Player of the Month.

18-year old Ryan Stone, who was selected by the Pittsburgh Penguins in the second round of the 2003 draft, finished second in team scoring last month with four goals and 18 points in fourteen games. The 6'1" 202 lb Calgary product has been red hot since returning to the lineup after Christmas. In fact, his highlight last month was a career high 10-game point scoring streak, which was snapped last Tuesday in Moose Jaw. During that stretch of games, Stone had four goals and 16 points.

Stone expects to be back in the Brandon lineup Wednesday night when the Wheat Kings hope to salvage the second half of their home and home series with the Medicine Hat Tigers. He missed the past two games of the club's recent 4-game road trip after being slapped with a 2-game suspension for a knee-on-knee hit in Regina last Wednesday.

Ryan edged out a number of players for January's award including newcomers Erik Christensen and netminder Josh Harding. While Christensen led the club with ten goals last month, Harding posted a 2.97 goals against average, one shutout and a 5-7-0 record after the Wheat Kings obtained the WHL all star netminder from the Regina Pats.

In 36 games this season, Stone has scored thirteen goals and 40 points while accumulating 92 minutes in penalties. "Stoner" becomes the fourth player to win this honour this season, joining Eric Fehr, Tyler Dyck and defenceman Ole-Kristian Tollefsen. In recognition of the honour, Stone will receive a shirt, tie and suit from Jack Fraser in the Shoppers Mall, the official menswear clothier of the Wheat Kings at this Wednesday's game against the Tigers.

In other news, the Wheat Kings will again be missing 19-year old veteran Lance Monych for this Wednesday's date with Medicine Hat. The Phoenix Coyotes' draft pick aggravated a shoulder problem during Saturday's loss to the Tigers and is currently listed as day-to-day. Others still on the sidelines include Richard Jasovsky (shoulder; day-to-day), Ole-Kristian Tollefsen (bruised sternum) 2 weeks and Steven Later (shoulder) 3-4 weeks.

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Western Hockey League Stories from February 2, 2004


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