Wenatchee Defenseman Sward Named WHL Player of Week

February 20, 2024 - Western Hockey League (WHL)
Wenatchee Wild News Release

WENATCHEE, Wash. - Wenatchee's blueliners have proven tough to tame at the goal line recently, and a career mark for the team's captain has helped him earn some weekly hardware from the Western Hockey League. Wild defenseman Graham Sward was selected Tuesday as the WHL's Tempo Player of the Week, notching six points over two games, including a pair of goals.

Those markers came as part of the team's 7-4 win at the Seattle Thunderbirds on Wednesday, to go along with three assists. The five-point night was a career-best for the Abbotsford, British Columbia native, and tied the team's single-game best during the 2023-24 campaign. He would add an assist in Wenatchee's lone goal of a 7-1 defeat Friday against the Everett Silvertips.

He enters the new week with 65 points for the season, posting 13 goals and 52 assists. The 2022 Nashville Predators draft pick ranks second on the WHL's scoring leaderboard and second on the league's assists leaderboard among defensemen, and his plus/minus rating of +38 ranks second among all WHL skaters. He stands at 164 points over 236 career WHL appearances, and has a chance to reach the 250-game plateau before the end of Wenatchee's regular season.

He is the fifth player on the Wild roster this season to pick up a weekly award from the WHL, and third Wenatchee player to earn a Player of the Week honor from the league this year.

Wenatchee returns to Town Toyota Center Tuesday for the team's Multicultural Night against the Spokane Chiefs, presented by Office Depot Office Max, with the opening puck drop slated for 6 p.m. Tickets for Tuesday's game and all home regular-season games are on sale now at 509-888-7825, or by visiting the team office at Town Toyota Center. Wild playoff packages and 2024-25 season tickets are now on sale as well - 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 (Brian Liesse/Seattle Thunderbirds)

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Western Hockey League Stories from February 20, 2024

• Chiefs Come Out Hot Against Wenatchee, Win 6-4 Tuesday Night - Spokane Chiefs
• Hyland Named 41st Captain in Wheat Kings History - Brandon Wheat Kings
• Wheat Kings this Week: Three Saskatchewan Opponents in Three Nights - Brandon Wheat Kings
• Cougars Battle Thunderbirds in Final Meeting of Season Series - Prince George Cougars
• February 20 - Canes Chatter Presented by Peka Rollshutters - Lethbridge Hurricanes
• Gardner Named WHL Rookie of the Week for Second Time this Month - Saskatoon Blades
• Wenatchee Defenseman Sward Named WHL Player of Week - Wenatchee Wild
• Giants Netminder Mirwald Named WHL Goalie of the Week Yet Again - Vancouver Giants
• WHL Announces Weekly Award Winners - WHL
• All Star, MVP Seasons Just the Beginning for Turko, Jacobson - Brandon Wheat Kings
• Rebels this Week - Red Deer Rebels
• Chiefs Slated for Wild Tuesday Night in Wenatchee - Spokane Chiefs
• Broncos Down Warriors in Family Day Fight at Innovationplex - Swift Current Broncos
• Iginla Lifts Rockets Late - Kelowna Rockets
• Giants Double up Chiefs 6-3 Thanks to Strong Third Period - Vancouver Giants

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