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WHL Announces Weekly Award Winners

October 17, 2022 - Western Hockey League (WHL) News Release


FLAMES PROSPECT CIONA NAMED WHL PLAYER OF THE WEEK

Calgary, Alta. - The Western Hockey League announced today that Seattle Thunderbirds forward Lucas Ciona has been named WHL Player of the Week for the week ending October 16, 2022.

The Calgary Flames prospect led all WHL skaters this past week with 11 points (4G-7A), helping his Thunderbirds improve their regular season record to 7-0-0-0 with a trio of wins.

Ciona, who calls Edmonton, Alta. home, started his week with a pair of assists Tuesday, October 11 as Seattle knocked off the Medicine Hat Tigers 5-2.

The 19-year-old then scored the game-winning goal as part of a three-point effort Friday, October 14 as the Thunderbirds won a 2022 WHL Championship Series rematch, defeating the Edmonton Oil Kings 7-0.

The 6-foot-3, 222-pound forward capped off his week with a six-point performance in Seattle's 11-3 victory against the Everett Silvertips Saturday, October 15. Ciona scored a hat-trick, adding three assists in a First Star performance.

Ciona begins the week sitting fifth in League scoring with 14 points (5G-9A) from his six appearances with the Thunderbirds this season.

Originally selected by the Seattle Thunderbirds in the second round of the 2018 WHL Draft, Ciona has amassed 89 points (36G-53A) over 162 regular season and playoff games.

He was selected by the Calgary Flames in the sixth round of the 2021 NHL Draft.

Ciona and the Seattle Thunderbirds are next in action Saturday, October 22 when they play host to the Spokane Chiefs (6:05 p.m. PT, accesso ShoWare Center).

WHEAT KINGS NETMINDER BJARNASON NAMED WHL GOALTENDER OF THE WEEK

The Western Hockey League announced today that Brandon Wheat Kings goaltender Carson Bjarnason has been named WHL Goaltender of the Week for the week ending October 16, 2022.

The product of Carberry, Man. recorded a 3-0-0-0 record to go along with a 1.67 goals-against average and .957 save percentage, helping the Wheat Kings earn six of eight points on the road this past week.

Bjarnason, who is eligible for the 2023 NHL Draft, began his week with a 41-save, Second Star performance Monday, October 10 as Brandon slipped past the Calgary Hitmen 3-2.

Two nights later in Prince George, the 17-year-old turned in a 39-save performance, helping the Wheat Kings get past the previously unbeaten Cougars 2-1.

He was named the game's First Star.

On Friday, October 14, Bjarnason stopped 32 of 34 shots as Brandon doubled up the Vancouver Giants 4-2, earning Third Star honours in the process.

Through six appearances this season, Bjarnason has registered a 4-1-1-0 record; his .941 save percentage is good for a third-place tie among WHL goaltenders.

The 6-foot-4, 180-pound puck-stopper was originally signed by the Brandon Wheat Kings in September of 2021. In 29 career WHL regular season games with Brandon, Bjarnason holds a 12-11-2-0 record, a 3.56 goals-against average and .897 save percentage.

Bjarnason and the Brandon Wheat KIngs are next in action Tuesday, October 18 when they continue a road swing through the B.C. Division against the Kamloops Blazers (7:00 p.m. PT, Sandman Centre).

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