WHL Announces Weekly Award Winners
March 20, 2023 - Western Hockey League (WHL) News Release
Calgary, Alta. - The Western Hockey League announced today that Regina Pats captain Connor Bedard has been named WHL Player of the Week for the week ending March 19, 2023.
The 2023 NHL Draft prospect, ranked tops among North American Skaters by NHL Central Scouting, led all WHL skaters with 17 points (9G-8A) over his four appearances with the Pats this past week, becoming the first WHL player in 27 years to reach 140 points in a season in the process.
The product of North Vancouver, B.C. began his week with a four-point effort Wednesday, March 15, scoring twice and adding two assists as Regina doubled up the Brandon Wheat Kings 6-3.
Two nights later, Bedard factored in on all five Pats goals versus the Moose Jaw Warriors, registering a hat-trick along with two helpers as Regina clinched a berth in the 2023 WHL Playoffs.
On Saturday, March 18, the 17-year-old matched his season high with six points (3G-3A), earning his ninth hat-trick of the 2022-23 Regular Season as the Pats won 7-3 at Moose Jaw.
He closed out his week with a goal and an assist Sunday, March 19, helping Regina to a 4-2 road victory over the Saskatoon Blades.
With Sunday's goal, Bedard become the first Pats skater in 39 years to score 70 times in a single regular season.
Bedard currently leads the WHL in goals (70), assists (72), points (142) and shots on goal (350), while his 11 game-winning markers this season are good for a share of the League lead.
Originally selected by Regina with the first-overall pick in the 2020 WHL Prospects Draft, Bedard has totalled 270 points (133G-137A) in 132 regular season contests.
Connor Bedard and the Regina Pats are next in action Friday, March 24 when they visit the Saskatoon Blades (7:00 p.m. MT, SaskTel Centre, TSN+).
REBELS NETMINDER KELSEY NAMED WHL GOALTENDER OF THE WEEK
The Western Hockey League announced today that Red Deer Rebels netminder Kyle Kelsey has been named WHL Goaltender of the Week for the week ending March 19, 2023.
The product of Maple Ridge, B.C. recorded a shutout in his lone start of the week, making 34 saves as Red Deer blanked the Swift Current Broncos 2-0 Friday, March 17.
The 19-year-old was named First Star of the contest, with 20 of his 34 stops coming in a frantic third period.
Kelsey, who reached the 20-win mark with the victory this past Friday, leads all Eastern Conference goaltenders with four shutouts during the 2022-23 WHL Regular Season.
He was originally selected by the Moose Jaw Warriors in the 5th round of the 2019 WHL Draft and was acquired by Red Deer in May of 2022. He holds a career 20-11-2-3 record, 2.69 goals-against average, .907 save percentage and four shutouts over his 36 WHL appearances with the Rebels.
Kyle Kelsey and the Red Deer Rebels are next in action Friday, March 24 when they begin a home-and-home series in Lethbridge against the Hurricanes (7:00 p.m. MT, Enmax Centre).
Western Hockey League Stories from March 20, 2023
- Winterhawks Weekly: Historic Night Highlights Hawks Action - Portland Winterhawks
- Silvertips Lock into Sixth Seed, Match up with Portland in Round One - Everett Silvertips
- Winterhawks Announce First Round Playoff Schedule vs. Everett - Portland Winterhawks
- Pats Captain Bedard Named WHL Player of the Week - Regina Pats
- WHL Announces Weekly Award Winners - WHL
- Cam Neely Honored with Winterhawks Jersey Retirement - Portland Winterhawks
- Rockets Fan Appreciation Night This Saturday - Kelowna Rockets
- March 20 - Canes Chatter - Lethbridge Hurricanes
- Chiefs Bounce Back After Rough Week With Impressive 3-2 Victory Over Silvertips - Spokane Chiefs
- Cougars and Americans to Meet in First Round of 2023 WHL Playoffs - Prince George Cougars
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