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WHL Brandon Wheat Kings

Wheat Kings Winners of WHL Awards

May 4, 2016 - Western Hockey League (WHL)
Brandon Wheat Kings News Release


Calgary, AB. - With the Bantam Draft set for Thursday and the start of the Championship Series scheduled to begin this weekend at Westman Communications Group Place in Brandon, the Western Hockey League hosted its Annual Awards Luncheon in Calgary with two members of the Wheat Kings taking home hardware.

Russian born blueliner Ivan Provorov was named the WHL's Top Defenceman while 17-year old center Tanner Kaspick was chosen Scholastic Player of the Year.

A Vincent Massey student, Kaspick becomes the first Wheat King to win the Daryl K. (Doc) Seaman Trophy since 2007 and the sixth in franchise history, joining the likes of Winnipeg Jets' general manager Kevin Cheveldayoff, Byron Penstock, Stefan Cherneski, Brett Dickie and former captain Keith Aulie.

The local product completed his first semester of Grade 12 this year with a remarkable 96% average and has since upped his average to 98% in the second semester. He currently holds a 100% grade in Chemistry 12. Ranked 79th among North American skaters by Central Scouting for the 2016 National Hockey League Draft, he's completed three advanced placement courses and is described by his teachers as "a focused student".

Provorov meanwhile becomes only the second Wheat King and first since Brad McCrimmon in 1978 to win the Bill Hunter Memorial Trophy that goes to the WHL's Top Defenceman.

A two time Silver medal winner at the World Junior Hockey Championships, Provorov was Brandon's most valuable player and top defenceman this past season, after scoring 21 goals, 73 points and a +64 plus/minus rating. The 73 points and +64 led all blueliners in 2015-16.

The Philadelphia Flyers' first round pick in 2015, who was the Eastern Conference nominee for Defenceman of the Year last season, says his two years in Brandon have been special.

"It's a great organization and a big part of my life," says Provorov, who will lead the Wheat Kings into the WHL Final for the second consecutive year. "It's been two years here so far and I have nothing but great things to say about it. This organization has helped me a lot to keep growing as a player and growing as a person. We have great coaching and great players on the team."

"It's been a joy spending time around the rink," he went on to say. "We also have great fans so every time we play at home it feels special."

While Provorov and Kaspick picked up awards, the Wheat Kings finished second to the Victoria Royals in the final voting for the WHL Marketing / Business Award. This marked the second straight year that the club has finished as runner-up to this prestigious award and the third time in the past six seasons.

After averaging over 4,200 fans during the regular season, the Wheat Kings have drawn an average of 4,948 fans during nine playoff home games. As well, over five thousand tickets have been sold for both games this weekend against the Western Conference Champion Seattle Thunderbirds.

Following is the complete list of 2015-16 WHL Award winners announced Wednesday:

Governor's Award - Lanny McDonald

Scholastic Team of the Year Award - Spokane Chiefs

Scholastic Player of the Year Award - Tanner Kaspick- Brandon Wheat Kings

Top Official Award - Chris Schlenker

Marketing/Business Award - Victoria Royals

Humanitarian of the Year Award - Tyler Wong - Lethbridge Hurricanes

WHL Coach of the Year Award - Dave Lowry - Victoria Royals

WHL Executive of the Year Award - Peter Anholt - Lethbridge Hurricanes

WHL Rookie of the Year Award - Matthew Phillips - Victoria Royals

Most Sportsmanslike Award - Tyler Soy - Victoria Royals

Goaltender of the Year Award - Carter Hart - Everett Silvertips

Defenceman of the Year Award - Ivan Provorov - Brandon Wheat Kings

WHL Top Scorer Award - Adam Brooks - Regina Pats

Most Valuable Player Award - Dryden Hunt - Moose Jaw Warriors

Now that the Awards have been won, WHL clubs will begin final preparations for the 2016 Bantam Draft, scheduled for Thursday in Calgary. The Wheat Kings, who captured the Eastern Conference for the second straight season, will have the 20th pick in round one, after selecting Caiden Daley with the 21st overall selection last year.

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The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

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