WHL Announces Weekly Award Winners
Published on May 15, 2023 under Western Hockey League (WHL) News Release
Calgary, Alta. - The Western Hockey League announced today that Seattle Thunderbirds forward Reid Schaefer has been named WHL Player of the Week for the week ending May 14, 2023.
The Nashville Predators prospect recorded four points (3G-1A) over his three outings this past week, helping the Thunderbirds reach the WHL Championship Series for the second consecutive year in the process.
The product of Spruce Grove, Alta. began his week Monday, May 8 with a goal and five shots on goal as Seattle claimed the 2023 WHL Western Conference Championship presented by Nutrien, earning a 4-2 victory over the Kamloops Blazers in Game 6 of the series.
In Game 1 of the 2023 WHL Championship Series presented by Nutrien Friday, May 12, Schaefer scored, and registered a game-high six shots on goal in a 3-2 Thunderbirds setback versus the Winnipeg ICE.
The following evening, the 19-year-old extended his goal-scoring streak to five games, adding an assist as Seattle evened the WHL Championship Series with a 4-2 win at Winnipeg. His goal stood up as the game-winner.
In 16 post-season appearances this spring, Schaefer has collected 16 points (8G-8A), including two game-winning markers.
Originally selected by the Thunderbirds in the eighth round of the 2018 WHL Draft, Schaefer has totalled 159 points (74G-85A) in 187 career WHL regular season and playoff appearances.
The 6-foot-4, 219-pound forward was selected in the first round of the 2022 NHL Draft by the Edmonton Oilers; his NHL rights were dealt to the Nashville Predators in February of 2023.
Reid Schaefer and the Seattle Thunderbirds continue the 2023 WHL Championship Series presented by Nutrien versus the Winnipeg ICE with Game 3, scheduled for Tuesday, May 16 in Kent, Wash. (7:05 p.m. PT, accesso ShoWare Center, TSN, Fox13+). The best-of-seven series is tied 1-1.
THUNDERBIRDS NETMINDER MILIC NAMED WHL GOALTENDER OF THE WEEK
Calgary, Alta. - The Western Hockey League announced today that Seattle Thunderbirds goaltender Thomas Milic has been named WHL Goaltender of the Week for the week ending May 14, 2023.
The 2023 NHL Draft Prospect posted a 2-1 record to go along with a 2.37 goals-against average and .921 save percentage, helping the Thunderbirds claim their second consecutive Western Conference Championship in the process.
Milic, who hails from Coquitlam, B.C., began his week with a 28-save performance in Game 6 of the 2023 Western Conference Championship presented by Nutrien Monday, May 8, helping Seattle earn a 4-2 road victory versus the Kamloops Blazers.
On Friday, May 12, the 20-year-old made 25 saves in Game 1 of the 2023 WHL Championship Series presented by Nutrien, as his Thunderbirds suffered a 3-2 setback to the Winnipeg ICE.
The following evening, Milic turned in a 29-save effort as Seattle evened the series at a game apiece, winning Game 2 by a 4-2 final score.
In 16 post-season appearances this spring, Milic holds a 13-3 record to go along with a League-best 1.94 goals-against average and .932 save percentage.
He was originally selected by the Thunderbirds in the third round of the 2018 WHL Draft and in 132 career WHL regular season and playoff outings, Milic holds a career 87-25-5-3 record, a 2.29 goals-against average, .921 save percentage and 11 shutouts.
Thomas Milic and the Seattle Thunderbirds continue the 2023 WHL Championship Series presented by Nutrien versus the Winnipeg ICE with Game 3, scheduled for Tuesday, May 16 in Kent, Wash. (7:05 p.m. PT, accesso ShoWare Center, TSN, Fox13+). The best-of-seven series is tied 1-1.
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