Sward Named U.S. Division Defenseman of the Year, Nominee for Bill Hunter Memorial Trophy

April 4, 2024 - Western Hockey League (WHL)
Wenatchee Wild News Release

WENATCHEE, Wash. - The Wenatchee Wild are privileged to announce that defenseman and team captain Graham Sward has been named the Western Hockey League's U.S. Division Defenseman of the Year, following an announcement from the league office on Thursday morning.

Sward was one of the WHL's elite scorers at the blue line this season, racking up 81 points during the regular season, including 66 assists. Both of those marks ranked second among WHL defensemen, while his +41 plus/minus mark was third in the league at his position. His scoring mark tied the organization's record for a rearguard as well, set last season by Ben Zloty in Winnipeg's final season before its relocation to Wenatchee during the offseason. The Colorado Avalanche prospect also holds the organization's record for the longest point streak by a defenseman with 16 straight games, including the first 15 to start this year.

The Abbotsford, British Columbia native is finishing a storied WHL career, reaching the 250-game milestone in his final regular-season contest March 23 at the Everett Silvertips. He notched 180 total points during those 250 appearances, playing in all 66 games for the Wild this season after returning from National Hockey League training camp in Nashville in late September.

By winning the divisional award, he also becomes one of four finalists for the Bill Hunter Memorial Trophy, which will be handed out next month to the league's top defenseman. The WHL's Bill Hunter Memorial Trophy is named for Bill Hunter, known as the "Fiery Red Leader" for his role as a founder and builder of the league. Hunter served as owner, president and general manager of the original Edmonton Oil Kings organization in the 1960s and 1970s, and took on the role as the WHL's first Chairman of the Board.

Sward and the Wild continue their Western Conference quarterfinal series against the Kelowna Rockets on Friday evening, with the opening puck drop in Game 5 scheduled for 7 p.m. Tickets for Friday's game are on sale now at 509-888-7825, or by visiting the team office at Town Toyota Center. 2024-25 season tickets also remain on sale - updated news and information on Wild hockey are always available through the team's website and on the team's social media platforms on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.

Wenatchee Wild defenseman Graham Sward (Russ Alman)

Western Hockey League Stories from April 4, 2024

• Wheat Kings Bid Farewell to Season After Game Four Loss - Brandon Wheat Kings
• Firkus Picks up East Division Player of the Year - Moose Jaw Warriors
• Catton named U.S. Division Player of the Year nominee for Four Broncos Memorial Trophy - Spokane Chiefs
• WHL Announces Division Nominees for Four Broncos Memorial Trophy - WHL
• Broncos Geekie Named Central Division Player of the Year - Swift Current Broncos
• Winterhawks Open Round 2 of 2024 WHL Playoffs on Friday, April 12 - Portland Winterhawks
• Yakemchuk Named WHL Central Division Defenceman of the Year - Calgary Hitmen
• Sward Named U.S. Division Defenseman of the Year, Nominee for Bill Hunter Memorial Trophy - Wenatchee Wild
• Mateychuk Named East Division Defenceman of the Year - Moose Jaw Warriors
• WHL Announces Division Nominees for Bill Hunter Memorial Trophy - WHL
• Mirwald Named B.C. Division Goaltender of the Year - Vancouver Giants
• Meneghin Named Central Division Goaltender of the Year - Lethbridge Hurricanes
• Jan Špunar Named U.S. Division Goaltender of the Year - Portland Winterhawks
• Unger Wins East Division Goaltender of the Year - Moose Jaw Warriors
• WHL Announces Nominees for Del Wilson Memorial Trophy - WHL
• Chadwick Named Central Division Scholastic Player of the Year - Lethbridge Hurricanes
• Berkly Catton Named U.S. Division Nominees for Daryl K. (Doc) Seaman Memorial Trophy - Spokane Chiefs
• WHL Announces Nominees for Daryl K. (Doc) Seaman Memorial Trophy - WHL
• Hawks Top Royals 4-1 to Complete Sweep, Advance to Round 2 - Portland Winterhawks
• Chiefs Bow Out Of Playoffs With Hard-Fought 3-2 Defeat To Top-Rated Cougars - Spokane Chiefs
• Blades Back Raiders Up Against Wall After Game 4 Win - Saskatoon Blades
• Rockets Take 3-1 Win Wednesday Against Wenatchee, 3-1 Lead in WHL Playoff Series - Wenatchee Wild
• Geekie's Overtime Winner Sends Broncos to Second Round - Swift Current Broncos
• Rockets Win, 3-1, Over Wild - Kelowna Rockets
• Cougars Edge Chiefs 3-2 and Advance to Western Conference Semi-Finals - Prince George Cougars
• Silvertips' Power Play The Difference In 3-1 Win Over G-Men - Vancouver Giants
• Warriors Take Game 3 in Brandon, Hold 3-0 Series Lead - Moose Jaw Warriors

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