WHL Announces Weekly Award Winners
February 27, 2023 - Western Hockey League (WHL) News Release
Calgary, Alta. - The Western Hockey League announced today that Winnipeg ICE forward Zach Benson has been named WHL Player of the Week for the week ending February 26, 2023.
The 2023 NHL Draft prospect, ranked seventh among North American Skaters by NHL Central Scouting, led all WHL skaters with 13 points (5G-8A) over the past week, helping Winnipeg collect four road victories in the process.
The product of Chilliwack, B.C. began his week Monday, February 20 by scoring a short-handed goal and adding an assist as Winnipeg doubled up the Swift Current Broncos 4-2.
Two days later, Benson scored the game's opening goal and added three helpers as the ICE defeated the Calgary Hitmen 5-2.
On Friday, February 24, Benson earned First Star honours in a 2-1 victory over the Red Deer Rebels, earning an assist on linemate Matthew Savoie's game-winning goal.
He capped off his impressive week by setting a career high with six points in an 8-1 win over the Edmonton Oil Kings Sunday, February 26, registering his third hat-trick of the 2022-23 regular season.
The 17-year-old forward begins the week ranked second among WHL skaters this season in assists (59), points (92) and short-handed goals (six).
Benson was originally selected by the Winnipeg ICE with the 14th-overall pick in the 2020 WHL Prospects Draft. In 136 career WHL regular season contests, he has totalled 175 points (68G-107A).
Zach Benson and the Winnipeg ICE are next in action Tuesday, February 28 when they conclude a two-game road series versus the Edmonton Oil Kings (11:00 a.m. MT, Rogers Place).
THUNDERBIRDS TEAMMATES MILIC AND RATZLAFF NAMED WHL GOALTENDERS OF THE WEEK
The Western Hockey League announced today that Seattle Thunderbirds teammates Thomas Milic and Scott Ratzlaff have been named WHL Goaltenders of the Week for the week ending February 26, 2023.
The duo, both of whom are ranked by NHL Central Scouting ahead of the 2023 NHL Draft, helped Seattle win all four of its games over the past week while surrendering a combined two goals in the process.
Milic, who hails from Coquitlam, B.C., turned in a 26-save shutout performance in his first outing of the week Monday, February 20 as the Thunderbirds dispatched the Victoria Royals 7-0.
The 19-year-old then made 29 saves in a 4-1 win against the Portland Winterhawks Saturday, February 25, earning Second Star honours for his efforts.
Ratzlaff, from Irma, Alta., stopped all 21 shots he faced Tuesday, February 21 in an 8-0 victory at Victoria.
The 17-year-old then turned aside 15 shots Friday, February 24 as Seattle defeated the Tri-City Americans 6-1.
Ratzlaff begins the week leading all WHL goaltenders with a 2.03 goals-against average, while Milic sits third with a mark of 2.14 this season.
The pair have combined for eight shutouts this season, with Ratzlaff's five standing as best among WHL netminders.
Milic and Ratzlaff also boast save percentages of .924 and .923, respectively, good for second and third place in the WHL.
Milic was originally selected by the Thunderbirds in the third round of the 2018 WHL Draft and holds a career 55-23-3-2 record, 2.39 goals-against average, .915 save percentage and seven shutouts across 85 WHL regular season appearances.
Ratzlaff was originally selected by Seattle in the second round of the 2020 WHL Prospects Draft; over his 53 WHL regular season contests, he holds a career 39-8-1-1 record, 2.24 goals-against average, .914 save percentage and six shutouts.
Thomas Milic, Scott Ratzlaff and the Seattle Thunderbirds are next in action Friday, March 3 when they visit the Tri-City Americans (7:05 p.m. PT, Toyota Center).
Western Hockey League Stories from February 27, 2023
- Winterhawks Weekly: Home Again, Home Again - Portland Winterhawks
- Tip-A-Tip Returns to El Paraiso Locations Wednesday Night - Everett Silvertips
- Benson Named WHL Player of the Week - Winnipeg Ice
- Royals and Pacific FC Team up to BEAT VANCOUVER - Victoria Royals
- WHL Announces Weekly Award Winners - WHL
- Rebels this Week - Red Deer Rebels
- Weekly Sports League and Franchise Report - OSC Original by Dan Krieger
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