WHL Western Hockey League

WHL Award Winners Announced

Published on April 29, 2009 under Western Hockey League (WHL) News Release


Edmonton, AB - The Western Hockey League announced the 2008-09 winners of the annual WHL Awards presented Wednesday, April 29th at the WHL Awards Luncheon held in Edmonton, Alberta.

WHL Player of the Year - Four Broncos Memorial Trophy WINNER

Brett Sonne (Maple Ridge, BC), Calgary Hitmen

RUNNER UP Casey Pierro-Zabotel (Kamloops, BC), Vancouver Giants Sonne enjoyed an outstanding 2008-09 WHL season, helping the Hitmen capture the Scotty Munro trophy after posting second-best regular-season record in WHL history. The 19-year-old from Maple Ridge, B.C., scored 48 goals and added 52 assists for 100 points in 62 games for the Hitmen, easily surpassing his previous career-best totals. In addition, Sonne posted a +39 rating to go with 58 penalty minutes.

Sonne's 48 goals tied him for second among all WHL players while his 100 points placed him third in the WHL scoring race. On top of that, Sonne led all WHL players with 11 game-winning goals and finished fifth among WHL players with 16 power play goals. The 6'0", 184-lb center also proved to be one of the most consistent offensive forces in the WHL, having been held off the score sheet in just 14 of his 62 games.

Sonne was the Hitmen's 1st round pick, 11th overall, at the 2004 WHL Bantam Draft, and has played 232 career regular-season games over four seasons in Calgary. The St. Louis Blues prospect was named to the 2009 WHL Eastern Conference First All-Star Team.

The most prestigious individual award of the Western Hockey League has been named the Four Broncos Memorial Trophy in memory of the four members of the Swift Current Broncos who died in a tragic accident on December 30, 1986. The four players, Trent Kresse, Scott Kruger, Chris Mantyka and Brent Ruff all died when the Swift Current bus crashed while enroute to a game in Regina.

Brett Sonne is the WHL's nominee for the CHL Player of the Year at the Canadian Hockey League Awards, which will be handed out during the 2009 MasterCard Memorial in Rimouski, Quebec.

WHL Rookie of the Year - Jim Piggott Memorial Trophy WINNER

Brett Connolly (Prince George, BC), Prince George Cougars

RUNNER UP

Jordan Weal (North Vancouver, BC), Regina Pats WHL Goaltender of the Year - Del Wilson Trophy WINNER

Chet Pickard (Winnipeg, MB), Tri-City Americans

RUNNER UP

Braden Holtby (Marshall, SK), Saskatoon Blades

WHL Defenceman of the Year - Bill Hunter Memorial Trophy WINNER

Jonathon Blum (Rancho Santa Margarita, CA) Vancouver, BC

RUNNER UP

Paul Postma (Red Deer, AB), Calgary Hitmen

WHL Scholastic Player Award - Daryl K. (Doc) Seaman Trophy WINNER

Stefan Elliott (North Vancouver, BC) Saskatoon Blades

RUNNER UP

Tyler Maxwell (Manhattan Beach, CA) Everett Silvertips

WHL Most Sportsmanlike Award - Brad Hornung Trophy WINNER

Tyler Ennis (Edmonton, AB), Medicine Hat Tigers

RUNNER UP

Colin Long (Santa Ana, CA), Kelowna Rockets

WHL Humanitarian of the Year - Doug Wickenheiser Memorial Trophy WINNER

Taylor Procyshen (Emerald Park, SK), Tri-City Americans

RUNNER UP

Ian Barteaux (Fort Saskatchewan, AB), Kootenay Ice

WHL Coach of the Year - Dunc McCallum Memorial Trophy WINNER

Don Hay, Vancouver Giants

RUNNER UP

Lorne Molleken, Saskatoon Blades

WHL Executive of the Year - Lloyd Saunders Memorial Trophy WINNER

Kelly Kisio, Calgary Hitmen

RUNNER UP

Scott Bonner, Vancouver Giants

WHL Marketing & Communications Award WINNER

Mike Bortolussi, Medicine Hat Tigers Marketing

RUNNER UP

Grant Riddle, Spokane Chiefs Marketing

WHL Top Scorer - Bob Clarke Trophy

Casey Pierro-Zabotel - (Kamloops, BC) Vancouver Giants

WHL Top Official - Allen Paradice Memorial Trophy

Chris Savage (Medicine Hat, AB)

WHL Regular Season Champions - Scotty Munro Memorial Trophy

Calgary Hitmen

WHL Scholastic Team Award

Prince Albert Raiders

WHL Alumni Association Achievement Award

Professional Hockey recipient - Trevor Linden (Medicine Hat Tigers) Academic recipient - Daniel Hulak (Swift Current Broncos/Portland Winter Hawks)

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Western Hockey League Stories from April 29, 2009


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