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Vancouver Giants' Kevin Connauton Named Boston Pizza WHL Player Of The Week

January 4, 2010 - Western Hockey League (WHL) News Release


CALGARY, AB. - The BOSTON PIZZA WHL Player of the Week is defenceman Kevin Connauton of the Vancouver Giants.

Connauton collected 10 points, scoring four goals and six assists in five games from December 27th through until January 3rd, helping the Giants post a 3-2-0-0 record in that span.

On Sunday, December 27th, the Giants travelled to Kelowna to face the Rockets. Connauton scored two goals, including the game winner, and added a pair of assists as the Giants downed the Rockets 7-3; he was also named the games 1st Star. On December 28th the Giants were back at the Pacific Coliseum in Vancouver hosting the Kamloops Blazers, Connauton picked up three assists as the Giants doubled up the Blazers 6-3. On December 30th, the Giants dropped a home game to the Prince George Cougars 4-1. On Saturday, January 2nd, the Giants played host to the Spokane Chiefs; Connauton assisted on the Giants lone goal as the Chiefs took the defensive battle 2-1. To round out a busy holiday schedule, the Kelowna Rockets paid a visit to Vancouver to take on the Giants on Sunday, January 3rd. Connauton netted his fourth two-goal-game on the season as the Giants defeated the Rockets 6-3. He was also named the games 2nd Star.

Connauton's 10 points over the last five games has him sitting 1st among all WHL defenceman with 45 points (19 goals, 26 assists) in 40 games. His 19th goal broke the Vancouver Giants record for most goals in a season by a defenceman formerly held by Jon Blum. The Giants are 6-4 in their last ten games and currently sit 2nd in the WHL Western Conference with a 25-14-1-2 record for 53 points.

Connauton, a 19-year-old from Edmonton, Alberta, is playing his first season in the WHL with the Vancouver Giants. He played last season with the Western Michigan University Broncos in the CCHA of the NCAA, before choosing to join the winning tradition of the Vancouver Giants. He was drafted in the 3rd round - 83rd overall by the Vancouver Canucks at the 2009 NHL Entry Draft.

The WHL has also nominated Darcy Kuemper of the Red Deer Rebels for the CHL Goaltender of the Week Award. Kuemper posted a 3-0-0-1 record with two shut-outs this past week, stopping 121 of 125 shots faced for an incredible 0.850 goals-against average and a 0.968 save percentage. Kuemper, a native of Saskatoon, SK, is playing his second full season with the Rebels and currently sits 8th among all WHL goaltenders with a 2.76 GAA.

Boston Pizza WHL Player of the Week

Dec. 27 - Jan. 3: Kevin Connauton, Vancouver Giants

Dec. 14 - Dec. 20: Brayden McNabb, Kootenay Ice

Dec. 7 - Dec. 13: Wacey Hamilton, Medicine Hat Tigers

Nov. 30 - Dec. 6: Johnny Lazo, Tri-City Americans

Nov. 23 - Nov. 29: Dustin Sylvester, Kootenay Ice

Nov. 16 - Nov. 22: Ryan Howse, Chilliwack Bruins

Nov. 9 - Nov. 15: Matt Calvert, Brandon Wheat Kings

Nov. 2 - Nov. 8: Brendan Shinniman, Tri-City Americans

Oct. 26 - Nov. 1: Stefan Elliott, Saskatoon Blades

Oct. 19 - Oct. 25: Brandon Kozun, Calgary Hitmen

Oct. 12 - Oct. 18: Mark Isherwood, Medicine Hat Tigers

Oct. 5 - Oct. 11: Jason Bast, Moose Jaw Warriors

Sept. 28 - Oct. 4: Jordan Weal, Regina Pats

Sept. 21 - Sept. 27: Andrew Hayes, Brandon Wheat Kings

Sept. 17 - Sept. 20: Tyler Fiddler, Calgary Hitmen

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